Pope canonises first female Argentine saint before meeting with Milei

Pope Francis elevates first female saint from Argentina to sainthood, reconciling with former critic President Javier Milei.

Pope Francis elevated to sainthood the first female saint from his native Argentina on February 11, an event that brought to the Vatican his former vocal critic, Argentine President Javier Milei.

Mr. Milei, a right-wing libertarian, called Pope Francis an “imbecile” and accused him of “preaching communism” before he ran for president, but has softened his tone since taking office in December.

The Pope, for his part, has said he did not pay too much attention to the insults, telling Mexican broadcaster N+ that what matters is what politicians do in office, rather than on the campaign trail.

Pope Francis led a canonisation Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for Maria Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, better known as "Mama Antula", an 18th century consecrated lay woman who renounced her family's riches to focus on charity and Jesuit spiritual exercises.

The ceremony came as Argentina faces its worst economic crisis in decades, with inflation at more than 200%, and after the country’s parliament rejected Mr. Milei’s major reform package.

Mr. Milei had a front row seat for the service, and at the end of it, exchanged a few words with the pope, as they shook hands and hugged. The President is due to have a private audience with the Pope on Feb. 12.