Pope Francis: Javier Milei’s Relationship with Pope Francis

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Javier Gerardo Milei (born 22 October 1970) is an Argentine economist and politician serving as President of Argentina since December 2023. His rapport with Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, evolved sharply from public antagonism before his presidential bid to a more conciliatory stance after taking office.

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Pre-Election Antagonism

During his rise in national politics, Milei often castigated the Argentine establishment, including the Catholic Church. In interviews and on social media, he referred to Pope Francis as an “imbecile” and a “communist turd,” accusing the pontiff of promoting what Milei termed left-wing economic policies and social interventionism. These remarks generated widespread controversy among Argentine Catholics and prompted formal protests from several bishops, who argued that such language undermined inter-institutional respect.

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Catholic Response

The Argentine Bishops’ Conference issued a statement urging politicians to maintain civility in public discourse. Some clergy called on Milei to apologize, while conservative Catholic commentators defended his right to criticize Church leaders. Polls at the time indicated that roughly 60% of Argentine Catholics disapproved of Milei’s insults toward the pope.

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Transition During Campaign

As Milei’s presidential prospects solidified, his campaign advisers encouraged a more moderate approach to religious constituencies. Publicly, Milei began to underscore his Catholic faith, albeit of a non-traditional variety, and distanced himself from earlier epithets. By the final weeks of the campaign, he refrained from further attacks on Pope Francis, signaling a tactical shift to broaden his appeal among centrist and practicing Catholic voters.

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Post-Inauguration Rapprochement

After assuming the presidency on 10 December 2023, Milei moved to repair ties with the Vatican. In his inaugural address, he extended a formal invitation to Pope Francis to visit Argentina, stressing the importance of national unity and the pope’s moral leadership. The gesture was interpreted by Vatican observers as a recognition that papal support, even symbolic, carries significant weight in Argentine public life.

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Vatican Visit: 11 February 2024

On 11 February 2024, Milei traveled to Rome for the canonization of María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, the first female Argentine saint. He and Pope Francis met privately at the Apostolic Palace, where Milei presented the pontiff with a traditional Argentine mate gourd and a copy of his inaugural address. In return, Pope Francis gifted Milei a medallion bearing the newly canonized saint’s image.

During their discussion, Milei congratulated Francis on his social justice initiatives and pledged to engage the Church in dialogues on poverty alleviation and educational reform. Pope Francis, in turn, encouraged the president to protect the most vulnerable populations amid economic adjustments.

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Significance and Ongoing Dialogue

Milei’s visit to the Vatican marked his first meeting with a foreign head of state and underscored the strategic value he places on religious legitimacy. The encounter opened channels for collaboration on humanitarian projects, and the Argentine bishops announced plans to work with the administration on pastoral care in impoverished regions. While substantive policy alignment remains to be seen, both sides described the meeting as “cordial” and “constructive.”

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References

• “Antes de su elección, Milei llamó ‘imbécil’ y ‘mierda comunista’ al Papa Francisco,” Página/12.

• “Argentina’s President Milei Visits Vatican as Pope Canonizes First Female Argentine Saint,” Vatican News, 11 February 2024.

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