Pope Francis meets with Argentine President Milei

By Devin Watkins

President Javier Gerardo Milei and Pope Francis met briefly on Sunday on the sidelines of the Mass which the Pope presided over in St. Peter’s Basilica.

During that event, the Pope canonized St. María Antonia de San José de Paz y Figueroa, known around the world as “Mama Antula,” making her the first Argentine saint.

On Monday, the Argentine Pope welcomed the President of Argentina for an official audience in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

President Milei was accompanied by his sister, Karina Milei, who serves as the General Secretary of the Presidency of Argentina.

The 53-year-old native of Buenos Aires was sworn in as President on December 10, 2023.

According to the Holy See Press Office, President Milei met afterwards with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

“During the cordial discussions, which took place at the Secretariat of State, appreciation was expressed for the good relations between the Holy See and the Argentine Republic, and the will to strengthen them further,” according to a press statement.

“The parties then addressed the new Government’s programme to counter the economic crisis,” it continued. “Attention then turned to various themes of an international character, especially ongoing conflicts and the commitment to peace among nations.”