The Argentine President Javier Milei He spoke to his compatriot for more than an hour this Monday Pope Franciscoat a hearing in Vatican The aim was to improve the relationship between two ideologically opposite leaders, and in which the most Argentine of all gifts was not missing: Alfajores.
Francisco and Milei met for an hour and 10 minutes at the Apostolic Palace, the day after they saw each other and exchanged hugs for the first time at the Vatican to mark the canonization of Jesus Mother Antula (1730-1799), the first Argentine saint.
In a more formal tone, they were able to talk at length this Monday and try to strengthen their relationship after the insults that Milei had hurled at the Pope in the past.
One of the prevailing themes has been the severe economic crisis that Argentina is currently experiencing: 40% of the population lives in poverty, inflation exceeds 200% at the end of 2023 and the IMF predicts a recession this year.
After visiting the Pope, the President met with Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. In a brief statement, the Holy See noted that during the “cordial discussions at the Secretariat of State” “the program of the new government to address the economic crisis” in Argentina was carefully discussed.
The Vatican did not comment on another major issue that focused on the event, namely Francis’ possible trip this year to Argentina, which he has not visited since being elected head of the Catholic Church in 2013.
Differences in content
Economics catalyzes precisely the differences between Francisco and Milei.
The president had the opportunity to explain himself to the pope and defend his approach, almost a week after the so-called omnibus bill collapsed in the House of Commons, a huge package of economic, political and administrative reforms proposed by his team governing in a minority was pushed forward. And now he must rethink his strategy in the face of increasing opposition.
With the argument of combating inflation and poverty as well as the liberation of the productive forces, Milei advocates a radical reduction in public spending, a comprehensive privatization policy and minimal state intervention.
Among his first actions was devaluing the peso by 50% and freeing prices in the economy.
Francis, for his part, has based much of his pastoral work on criticism of the economic and environmental tendencies of neoliberalism and continually advocates for public powers to protect the most vulnerable.
“The Pope is always worried; “It is obviously a concern that is close to his heart that people do not suffer,” Argentine Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, told the Vatican press.
Gift exchange
As a gesture of complicity, the President gave his compatriot and former Archbishop of Buenos Aires some dark chocolate alfajores filled with dulce de leche and some lemon cookies, as well as a postcard from the Argentine Post in his honor Mother Antula.
In return, Francis presented Milei this year with his peace speech calling for the regulation of artificial intelligence and a bronze medallion inspired by the Canopy, the imposing structure of four Solomonic columns that covers the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica.
At the center of the medallion is the dove of the Holy Spirit as a “symbol of unity, strength and inspiration,” according to the explanatory document published by the Holy See.
SPRING: AFP