The first meeting between Pope Francis and Argentine President Javier Milei, who previously referred to the latter as a “imbecile” who “promotes communism,” will take place on Sunday.
Milei is scheduled to attend a liturgy at the Vatican on behalf of the canonization of Mama Antula, the 18th-century missionary from Argentina, which will be presided over by the 87-year-old pontiff, who was previously the archbishop of Buenos Aires.
The two men are scheduled to have a formal audience at the Vatican on Monday morning, following their meeting during the liturgical service in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Milei, who has embarked on a deregulation drive, has in the past been sharply critical of Pope Francis, a Jesuit who regularly speaks out against inequalities caused by the financial markets, while championing the plight of the poor.
Before his election last November, Milei who describes himself as an “anarcho-capitalist” referred to the head of the Catholic Church as “the evil one,” “nefarious,” and an “imbecile” who “promotes communism”.
However, when Francis called to congratulate Milei on winning, the two appeared to make up.
The president extended an invitation to the pope to travel to Argentina, a country with a Catholic majority, during the call; the former Jorge Bergoglio has not been back since taking office as pope in 2013.
The Vatican has not yet announced a date for the pope’s return, but he later declared his determination to do so.
