Argentine authorities arrest man for threatening Pope Leo XIV hours before his arrival

Argentine authorities arrested a 49-year-old man accused of making death threats against Pope Leo XIV just hours before the pontiff's arrival in the country.

According to the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE), the arrest occurred less than 24 hours after officials received intelligence regarding the threats. The operation was carried out by the Argentine Federal Police under the orders of Judge Adrian Gonzalez Charvay of the Federal Court in Campana.

The investigation was triggered Friday afternoon following an alert from the Federal Police’s Counter-Terrorism Investigation Unit regarding a threatening phone call targeting the pope's life, after which cyber and field analysts located a residence linked to the suspect. During the subsequent raid, officers took the man into custody and seized three mobile phones, including the device allegedly used to place the threatening call, along with a drone whose operational capabilities are currently under investigation.

The man has been provisionally charged with making anonymous threats and public intimidation with terrorist intent.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday following a visit to Montevideo, Uruguay. The pontiff's itinerary includes remaining in the country until Nov. 11, when he will depart from Ezeiza International Airport for Lima, Peru.

The journey marks the first papal visit to Argentina in 39 years. President Javier Milei declared the tour a matter of national interest, establishing localized holidays during the visit to manage the massive public events.