Argentine President Javier Milei, who has spent years publicly feuding with the Catholic Church leadership, broke down in tears during an emotional farewell to Pope Leo XIV as the pontiff concluded his landmark visit to the South American nation.
Video footage shows the libertarian leader, known for his brash rhetorical style, openly weeping while embracing the pope on the tarmac before the Holy Father’s departure. Sources close to Milei say he asked the pontiff to pray for him during the poignant exchange.
Years of Volatile Relations
The dramatic moment caps a remarkable evolution in Milei’s relationship with the Church. In 2020, before his presidential run, the firebrand economist unleashed blistering attacks against Pope Francis—calling him “the representative of the evil one on Earth” and accusing him of promoting communism.
Argentine priests responded by holding an “Atonement Mass” in 2023 to counter Milei’s rhetoric. Yet since taking office later that year, the president gradually softened his tone—culminating in a surprisingly warm Vatican meeting with Francis in 2024 where they discussed economic policies and international peace efforts.
Historic Papal Visit
Pope Leo’s Argentina trip set attendance records, drawing over 2.5 million faithful to an open-air Mass in Buenos Aires—the largest crowd since St. John Paul II’s 1987 visit. Political observers note Milei’s emotional reaction suggests even his controversial views couldn’t fully mask a personal connection to the Church.
While the president has entertained converting to Judaism, he was raised Catholic. His tearful farewell, political analysts say, reveals unexpected dimensions to the libertarian leader characteristically defined by his unsparing rhetoric.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/11/video-argentina-president-javier-milei-brought-to-tears-in-farewell-to-pope-leo/