Despite accusations

Argentinian President Milei visited the Pope

From left: Argentina's President Javier Milei and Pope Francis(Bild: AFP)

Argentinian President Javier Milei visited the Pope in the Vatican on Monday (see video above). This was followed by talks at the Secretariat of State. During the election campaign in Argentina, the politician had often criticized the Pope.

He accused him of not distancing himself clearly enough from the left-wing autocracies in Latin America. The Argentinian church took a clear stance against Milei during the election campaign. In a TV interview a few days before the run-off election, Francis himself warned against "messianic clowns" who reminded him of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, without mentioning Milei by name.

Rapprochement?
After the libertarian politician's victory, however, he congratulated Milei on his election success by telephone. Milei had already officially invited Francis to Argentina and reiterated this invitation during the private audience. The Pope was born in Buenos Aires.

Protest against Milei's visit(Bild: AFP)

Milei in St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday(Bild: AP)

Milei and Pope Francis at the Vatican(Bild: AFP)

During his visit to the Vatican on Monday, Milei was accompanied by a delegation including the foreign minister, the interior minister and the new Argentinian ambassador to Israel. Together they took part in the canonization of the first Argentinian saint, Maria Antonia de San José de Paz y Figueroa, better known as "Mama Antula", in St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday. Talks are still planned with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, President Sergio Mattarella and the Italian authorities.