Pope Leo XIV met with Argentina's President Javier Milei at the Vatican, discussing poverty, peace, and social issues. The Pope confirmed a future visit to Argentina. Despite past tensions with Pope Francis, Milei seeks stronger ties with the Church while continuing controversial austerity reforms.

On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV warmly received Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, at the Vatican. The Holy See released an official statement describing the encounter as "cordial."

Following his private meeting with Pope Leo, President Milei held further discussions with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and members of the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.

According to the Vatican’s statement, the talks focused on a number of issues of "common interest." These included socioeconomic development, the fight against poverty, the importance of fostering social cohesion, as well as conversations surrounding ongoing global conflicts and international peace initiatives.

In the aftermath of the meeting, President Milei’s office expressed enthusiasm on social media, sharing that "The Pope confirmed to the President that he will visit Argentina."

Reports from Argentine media indicate that Pope Leo’s potential visit could take place as early as next year, as part of a broader South American tour. The proposed itinerary may include stops in Uruguay and Peru — countries where Pope Leo previously lived and served for nearly two decades.

President Milei, known for his outspoken libertarian populism and admiration for former U.S. President Donald Trump, had previously maintained a strained relationship with Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis. Notably, Pope Francis, who is also Argentine, did not return to his homeland throughout his twelve-year tenure as pontiff.

Although Pope Francis never directly condemned Milei, he implicitly criticized the government’s response to protests by Argentine pensioners in 2024. During those demonstrations, police used excessive force, including pepper spray. Francis commented, “Instead of paying for social justice, they paid for pepper spray.”

In the past, Milei has launched aggressive verbal attacks against Francis, using inflammatory and offensive language. He even went so far as to label the former pope "an imbecile" and, in vulgar online posts, likened him to the Antichrist.

Since taking office, President Milei has introduced sweeping austerity measures aimed at curbing inflation and reducing poverty. However, his aggressive free-market policies stand in contrast to Catholic social teachings, which emphasize the role of the state in supporting vulnerable citizens.

During the same visit to the Vatican, Pope Leo also received Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva, who has been openly critical of Milei. The Archbishop has accused the president of lacking empathy, stating that he “has no social thermometer” and fails to grasp the suffering of ordinary Argentines.

Milei’s stop at the Vatican followed a meeting on Friday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. During that meeting, both leaders oversaw the signing of a cooperation agreement between their countries’ partially state-owned energy companies, ENI and YPF.