President Javier Milei will be the first Argentine political leader to meet Pope Leo XIV shortly after his arrival in the afternoon of Sunday, November 8, but he won’t be the only one trying to catch the ear of the Holy Father during his 4-day stay.

The private audience at the Casa Rosada, part of the diplomatic protocol for papal visits, will give Milei an opportunity to present his government and its economic program directly to the pontiff.

The encounter comes as Milei’s austerity drive, which brought down inflation through spending cuts, faces growing resistance from those hit hardest by his chainsaw measures.

Some of them, who oppose the government, will also seek to share their point of view with the pope, the first leader of the Vatican to visit the country in almost 40 years. 

Leo, successor of Argentine pontiff Francis, shares many of his predecessors’ views and has emphasized social justice, the dignity of work and the plight of the poor. 

Therefore, during his visit, which ends on Wednesday, he has planned a series of meetings that will allow him to hear from sectors that are critical of the current libertarian economic model.

Opposition and Villarruel

Among those who will meet the pontiff are some of Milei’s biggest political rivals, including those who aspire to replace him in next year’s general elections. 

In an rare gesture of political cordiality, the government invited opposition figures to the reception that will be held on Sunday, at 6:30 p.m., at the Palacio Libertad, to welcome Leo. 

The meeting, which will include government authorities, representatives of civil society and members of the diplomatic corps, is expected to bring together political leaders from across the ideological spectrum.

Although former presidents have been left out of the guest list, the Mayor of Buenos Aires City and all 23 governors have been invited, many of whom are left-wing Peronists from the main opposition party.

The gathering will provide........

© Buenos Aires Herald