The president of Argentina, Javier Milei, visited his compatriot, Pope Francis, at the Vatican this Monday (12), bringing sweets and gifts in an initiative to seal peace with the pontiff he has long rejected and ridiculed.
Milei insulted Francisco during his election campaign, calling him an “imbecile who defends social justice”. But he changed his tone upon taking office as he tries to bolster internal support amid growing challenges.
He hailed the pope as “the most important Argentine in history” in an interview this weekend.
This Monday, he brought alfajores of dulce de leche and a brand of lemon cookies that the pope likes, said presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni.
Francisco and Milei met at a time when Argentina is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with inflation exceeding 200% and the newly inaugurated president facing difficulties after the rejection of an important reform package in Congress.
They spoke for about an hour, the Vatican said.
Francis, who was archbishop of Buenos Aires, has angered some of his compatriots by never having visited his homeland since becoming pope in 2013, but said he may finally visit “suffering” Argentina in the second half of this year.
Securing such a visit could help Milei bolster support from his conservative Catholic base and help the president move forward with his reforms.
Over the weekend, Milei emphasized Francis' moral leadership role for a Catholic-majority country like Argentina.
Francisco has previously said that he did not want to be politically exploited by Argentine politicians.
On Friday, he said that “radical individualism” permeates society like a “virus,” in words that may run counter to Milei's radical free-market instincts.
Francisco and Milei exchanged warm words on Sunday at the end of a canonization mass in St. Peter's Basilica of the first Argentine saint, Maria Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, a consecrated laywoman from the 18th century, better known as “Mama Antula.”
Francisco, who is 87 years old and has difficulty walking, was in a wheelchair when he went to greet Milei after the service.
He smiled at him, stretched out his hand and said, “You cut your hair!”
Milei, who still wears her hair long in an unconventional way for a politician, joked about getting dressed up and asked if she could hug and kiss the pope.
A smiling Francisco replied: “Yes, son, yes.”
Source: CNN Brasil
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