Pope Leo XIV and President Javier Milei of Argentina meet in the Vatican and highlight the importance of urgent efforts in support of peace.
Newsroom (07/06/2025 07:30 , Gaudium Press) Pope Leo XIV received Argentine President Javier Gerardo Milei in a private audience at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on Saturday morning, marking the first meeting between the new pontiff and a Latin American head of state since his election on May 8. The discussions, described as “cordial” by the Holy See Press Office, focused on strengthening bilateral relations, socio-economic progress, poverty reduction, social cohesion, and global peace efforts.
The meeting followed President Milei’s attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis and the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost Martinez, the first U.S.-born pope and the second of Hispanic descent. The 54-year-old Buenos Aires native, sworn in as Argentina’s president on December 10, 2023, also met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Under-Secretary for Relations with States, Msgr. Mirosław Stanisław Wachowski. The Holy See emphasized mutual appreciation for the strong ties between the Vatican and Argentina, expressing a shared commitment to deepen these relations.
Key topics included Argentina’s economic and social challenges, with attention to Milei’s economic adjustment plan and the fight against poverty, alongside broader regional and international issues. Both parties underscored the urgency of addressing ongoing global conflicts, highlighting “the importance of urgent efforts in support of peace.”
Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist” and leader of the Liberty Advances party, has previously expressed enthusiasm for Pope Leo XIV’s election. On May 8, he released a communiqué welcoming the news with “profound hope,” stating that he yearned for the Pope’s voice to defend “life, liberty, and private property” as pillars of civilization. He further expressed hope that Leo XIV’s leadership would counter “the culture of death, growing totalitarianism, and immoral relativism,” aligning with his ongoing “cultural battle” since taking office.
The meeting builds on prior engagements between Argentine leaders and the Vatican. The late Pope Francis, born in Buenos Aires as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, met Milei in February 2024, following the canonization of Argentina’s first female saint, María Antonia de San José de Paz y Figueroa, known as “Mama Antula.” Despite Milei’s earlier criticisms of Francis, their encounter was described as cordial, with Milei later expressing regret for his past remarks.
This audience, occurring during Milei’s 10-day international tour that includes stops in Italy, France, Spain, and Israel, underscores his efforts to strengthen Argentina’s global ties. Posts on X noted the meeting lasted over an hour, with Milei detailing his government’s plans and extending an invitation for Pope Leo XIV to visit Argentina.
Raju Hasmukh with files from:
Vatican News, “Pope Leo XIV meets with Argentine President Milei,” June 7, 2025.
Breitbart, “Javier Milei Celebrates Pope Leo with AI Lion Image,” May 8, 2025
Buenos Aires times “Milei calls on Pope Leo XIV to defend ‘life’ and ‘private property’” May 8, 2025
Vatican News, “Pope Francis meets with Argentine President Milei,” February 12, 2024.
AP News, “After rough start, pope and Argentina’s Milei meet,” February 12, 2024.
Posts on X, June 7, 2025.
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