Argentina: Pope receives Milei for private audience

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The head of the Catholic Church and the ultra-liberal head of state spent about an hour together in the Vatican on Monday. A Vatican statement subsequently referred to “cordial discussions”.

It was said that relations between the Papal States and Argentina, a country with a largely Catholic population, should be expanded. The economic crisis in the South American country was also discussed, without details being given. Next on the agenda were Milei meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella.

The president came to Rome for the canonization of an 18th-century Argentine nun. At a first meeting in St. Peter’s Basilica, Milei and the Pope even hugged each other on Sunday. Until then, the relationship between the two was considered tense: before the start of his term, the 53-year-old had insulted the Pope as a “fool” and “bastard” who promoted communism around the world. . After assuming the highest state office in December, he quickly invited Francis for a state visit.

The pope, who has not been to his homeland since the start of his pontificate in 2013, now wants to go there in the second half of the year. However, an exact date was not given even after the meeting with Milei. The 87-year-old’s health has been causing major problems for some time. When he met Milei, he walked with a cane or was in a wheelchair. He had to cancel a planned trip to Dubai at short notice at the end of last year due to illness.

The reason for the visit is the canonization of the Argentinian Mama Antula (1730-1799). The Catholic nun – whose real name is María Antonia di San Giuseppe de Paz y Figueroa – is the first woman from Argentina to be canonized. (SDA)

Source: Blick