DOUGLAS GAVRAS
Buenos Aires, Argentina (Folhapress) – After not participating in, President Javier Milei left the Apostolic Palace on Saturday (7) with the promise that the new pontiff will visit Argentina, contrary to what happened in the pontificate of Francis.
Milei was greeted by Leonardo Sapienza and other members of the Vatican ceremonial, conducting a tour to the Pope’s apartment library. Also present were the Argentine ambassador to the Holy See, Luis Pablo María Beltramino, and other guests.
It was the spokesman for Casa Rosada, Manuel Adorni, who announced that the Pope confirmed his intention to visit Argentina, although the date has not yet been discussed-his predecessor, Argentine Jorge Bergoglio, did not visit his home country during the pontificate.
At the meeting, the Ultraliberal spoke to the Pope about his government plans and the importance of maintaining inflation low. Then there was an exchange of gifts between the two – one side, a Mosaic of the Vatican; On the other hand, a poncho from the Argentine province of Catamarca, as well as books by liberal economist Jesús Huerta de Soto.
The Argentine delegation announced on social networks that the meeting with Milei was the longest the Pope had with leaders since the beginning of his pontificate.
Milei had not attended Robert Prevost’s inaugural mass as Pope, on the 18th, preferring to participate in the elections for the Legislature of the city of Buenos Aires that occurred the same day.
Topics such as the Ukraine War and the Middle East conflict were also addressed, with the Pope defending measures for peace, a mark of his first month of pontificate. The Vatican made a statement about the appreciation for bilateral relations with the Argentines, mentioning socioeconomic issues and the struggle against poverty.
Milei began his nine-day turnover for countries in Europe and Israel, arriving in the Italian capital on Friday (6), for a meeting with first minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace.
The meeting sealed a new agreement between the Italian energy company Eni and the Argentine oil company YPF, for the production and export of liquefied natural gas in the Muerta cow reserve (Patagonia Argentina).
Meloni took the opportunity to express support for the economic reforms that Milei is implementing in Argentina, which meet the Italian government’s policies to reduce public spending and favor the free market. Both leaders have an ideological affinity, sharing visions against socialism and in favor of a free market economy, as well as conservative values in customs.
Milei’s itinerary in Europe also includes state visits, a financial forum and award ceremonies. Following the meeting with Leo 14, he will travel to Spain to the Economic Forum of Madrid. He will then go to France to meet President Emmanuel Macron, days after the French leader welcomes President Lula.
The entourage then travels to Israel to a series of meetings, including meetings with President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
