Milei calls on Pope Leo XIV to defend ‘life’ and ‘private property’

Argentina’s President Javier Milei has released a communiqué to say that he had received with "profound hope" the news of the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.

The La Libertad Avanza leader also called on the new US pontiff to defend such "pillars" as life, liberty and prívate property.

"With profound hope we received the news of the election of the new Holy Father and this conclave marks a new chapter in the history of the Church and the world," read the text published by the Presidential Office. 

The message adds that he hopes that the new papacy "is a time of unity and truth without fear and of charity without reservations."

"Today more than ever we yearn for the voice of the Pope to resound forcefully in defence of the pillars which have sustained civilisation: life, as the main gift, liberty as a sacred gift of the Creator, and prívate property, as the foundation of personal responsibility and the development of peoples," said the President.

In line with the so-called “cultural battle” which he has been waging since taking office in December, 2023, he added that he hopes that the "word and testimony" of Leo XIV "serve as a shield against the culture of death, the growing totalitarianism and the immoral relativism."

The President made no mention of the late Pope Francis, the Argentine pontiff whom he had harshly criticised as a “imbecile” and “Communist” before taking office due to considering him left-wing. 

Milei later changed his tune. After Francis’ death on April 21, he stated it had been an "honour" to get to know him in his "goodness and wisdom "

The solemnity of the text contrasts with the publication in his personal account on the X social account where he shared the image of a lion – as he is described by his followers – dressed as the Pope of the Catholic Church.

The post included the text: "The forces of heaven have clearly given their verdict. No more words Mr. Judge. The end.”

Local Catholic leaders and politicians also expressed their joy at Prevost’s election.

“With great joy we celebrate the election of the new Pope: Leo XIV,” said Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri on social media.

“Together with millions of faithful in the city and around the world, we greet his arrival to the pontificate and accompany his mission, with the hope that Francis‘ legacy will continue: a Church that is close, committed and a builder of peace among peoples,” added the former mayor of Vicente López.

Unión por la Patria deputy Victoria Tolosa Paz said that “it is with deep emotion and hope that we welcome the arrival of the new Pope.”

La Libertad Avanza deputy Santiago Santurio congratulated Leo XIV “as successor of Peter,” asking that ‘the Holy Spirit guide and accompany him in this mission of working for a freer, more merciful and just world,” he concluded.

La Pampa Province Governor Sergio Ziliotto, said: “One stage has come to an end with the emotion of what we have experienced with our Pope Francis and his legacy, and another is opening with the arrival of a new pontiff.”

– TIMES/NA/AFP