(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 02.12.2024).- On the morning of Monday, February 12th, the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, attended a private audience with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City. President Milei was accompanied by Karina Milei, Secretary General of the Presidency; Diana Mondino, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and the Minister of the Interior, Guillermo Francos, who said on his X account: «His words filled us with hope and gave us the necessary strength to continue working day by day for the prosperity of our Argentina.»
After the meeting with the Pope, which lasted for 1 hour and 10 minutes, President Milei stated: «The Pope expressed satisfaction with the economic and social containment program.» According to Infobae, Milei took the opportunity to apologize for past statements: «I want to apologize for my past statements.» To which the Pope replied: «They are youthful mistakes that everyone makes.»
The Pope gifted Milei a bronze medallion inspired by the Baldachin of St. Peter’s and several papal documents. In return, Milei presented the Pope with a copy of the document accrediting Juan Bautista Alberdi as Chargé d’Affaires to the Pope (1854) on behalf of the Argentine government. He also gifted a postage stamp dedicated in Argentina to Mamá Antula.
Milei and his delegation also had a second meeting, lasting about 50 minutes, with the Secretary of State of the Pope, Cardinal Parolin, and the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Bishop Paul Richard Gallagher. During the cordial conversations at the Secretariat of State, satisfaction was expressed for the good relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Argentina and the desire to further strengthen them. They then discussed the new Government’s program to address the economic crisis. Various international issues were also addressed, particularly current conflicts and the commitment to peace among nations.
Later, the Argentine President held meetings with the President of Italy and the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Subsequently, around 7 p.m., Milei returned to Argentina on a commercial flight.
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