Pope Leo XIV’s arrival in Argentina isn’t just bringing a massive security operation. It’s also creating a small black market of opportunities to profit from the pope’s visit after so many years without a pontiff setting foot on Argentine soil. Would you rent out your balcony for $500 to watch the pope wave from his popemobile?
With the Popemobile’s route along Avenida del Libertador now confirmed, residents whose apartments have a direct view of the street have discovered they have a gold mine right outside their windows. The new trend? Last-minute balcony rentals.
If you want to avoid the barriers, the crowds, and the police checkpoints—and have an unobstructed view of the Supreme Pontiff driving through the streets and waving from his popemobile—that convenience comes at a price in dollars.
The “VIP” experience: what the $500 includes
The business is conducted with complete secrecy and has nothing to do with real estate agencies. Apparently, those who live across from Avenida del Libertador (especially at key intersections like Olleros or near the Monumento de los Españoles) are asking for between $300 and $500 per person just to give up a spot on their balcony for the few minutes the Popemobile passes by. Will the payment include free access to the apartment’s bathroom, a drink, or a snack?
All of this activity is happening through “word of mouth” or private contacts. Often, it’s the media outlets themselves that offer payment in exchange for a prime view that allows them to take the best photos and provides an excellent vantage point for broadcasting.
The price frenzy isn’t limited to the Federal Capital. In Luján, another key stop on the papal visit, searches for accommodations skyrocketed by more than 1,800%. The lack of availability has driven short-term rental prices to astronomical levels, and on various platforms, homes for four people near the Basilica were listed for $24,000 for four nights.
