Argentine authorities arrested a 49-year-old man accused of making death threats against Pope Leo XIV, hours before the pontiff's arrival in the country.
The State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) said the arrest came less than 24 hours after officials received information about the threats. The operation was carried out by the Argentine Federal Police on the orders of Judge Adrian Gonzalez Charvay of the Federal Court in Campana.
The investigation began on Friday afternoon after the Federal Police's Counter-Terrorism Investigation Unit received an alert about a threatening phone call targeting the pope's life.
Cyber and field investigators subsequently identified a residence linked to the suspect. During a raid, officers arrested the man and seized three mobile phones, including the device allegedly used to make the call, as well as a drone whose operational capabilities are being examined.
The suspect has been provisionally charged with making anonymous threats and public intimidation with the intent to cause a security threat.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday after visiting Montevideo, Uruguay. He is scheduled to remain in the country until November 11, when he will depart from Ezeiza International Airport for Lima, Peru.
The visit marks the first papal trip to Argentina in 39 years. President Javier Milei declared the tour a matter of national interest and established local holidays during the visit to manage large public gatherings.
