Milei met Pope Leo who will visit Argentina later

(Patria) - Argentine President Javier Milei had his first official audience with Pope Leo at the Vatican yesterday, where he confirmed that the Pope will visit Argentina, according to the presidential spokesperson, although no further details of the planned visit were released, Reuters reported.

Milei had a tense relationship with Pope Francis, the late Argentine Pope who never returned to his homeland during his twelve-year pontificate, potentially signaling the start of a new diplomatic chapter.

"The Pope confirmed to the President during our recent meeting that he will visit Argentina," wrote Manuel Adorni, presidential spokesperson, via social media.

The Pope's visit could take place as early as next year, according to Argentine daily La Nación, as part of a tour that would include Uruguay and Peru, where Leo, the first American Pope, resided for almost twenty years.

Milei, a libertarian and an ally of US President Donald Trump, was not present at the inauguration of the new head of the Catholic Church due to local elections.

Talks between the two parties on Saturday were described as "cordial" and addressed issues of "common interest such as socioeconomic progress, the fight against poverty and commitment to social cohesion, in addition to resolving ongoing conflicts," the Vatican later announced.

Milei met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Friday, where an agreement was signed between the Italian energy group Eni and the Argentine state energy company YPF.