Milei — a staunch economic libertarian and a self-described “anarcho-capitalist” — was propelled to victory last year as his country grappled with chronic triple-digit hyperinflation and soaring poverty.
The 53-year-old economist has centered his administration's agenda on radically transforming the country with his “chainsaw” plan, which includes massive spending cuts as well as reforms to public administration and the treasury.
While on the campaign trail in 2023, Milei referred to the pope as “nefarious” and an “imbecile.”
However, since his unprecedented landslide victory in November, Milei has pivoted away from strident language, opting for a softer and more conciliatory tone. Following his election, the Holy Father called Milei to congratulate him on his victory. It was reported that during the phone call the president-elect invited the pope to visit Argentina.
On Jan. 8, a month after officially taking office, Milei sent a formal invitation to the pope to visit his homeland, noting that the trip would “bring fruits of peace and brotherhood to all Argentines.”
“Bearing in mind your advice to have the necessary wisdom and courage, in my first weeks of government I have proceeded to propose a series of government measures aimed at transforming the situation that the Argentine Republic has been suffering for decades,” Milei continued in his letter.
While the pope has visited South America on several occasions during his nearly 11-year-long pontificate, he has conspicuously avoided an official visit to his native country. However, the pope has signaled that he would be open to visiting his country in the latter half of 2024.
Matthew Santucci is a CNA Rome correspondent based in EWTN's Vatican bureau. He grew up in Connecticut and has been living in Rome since 2020. He has a B.A. in History from Fordham and an M.A. in International Relations from Luiss Guido Carli.