Written by Walter Bianchi
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina’s President Javier Millay on Monday visited Israel, embroiled in the Gaza conflict, before flying to Italy to embark on an overseas tour to meet the pope he once called the devil. Representatives on Earth.
The right-wing libertarian leader, an economist and former vitriol who took office in December, will meet with Italy’s conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as well as prominent business and religious leaders during his visit.
Before winning an unexpected election victory last year, the combative Mr. Millay frequently attacked Pope Francis, a fellow Argentine, and accused him of being a socialist, but has since turned his attention to repairing bridges. , invited the Pope to visit Argentina.
Milley, who has said she may convert to Judaism, will meet with Israeli rabbis and visit prominent Jewish sites in Jerusalem in a series of events scheduled through Thursday. , is scheduled to commemorate the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel.
He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, and Milley is a strong supporter of the war against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.
Millay will be in Italy to attend the Vatican canonization of Maria Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, an Argentine nun who has been on the road to sainthood since 2010.
The president’s long-awaited meeting with the pope is scheduled for February 12, followed by a meeting with Meloni the following day.
Among other economic and political goals, Milley is working to pass sweeping reform legislation in Congress that would pave the way for the privatization of government-owned businesses and reduce generous state subsidies. I embarked on this trip.
(Reporting by Walter Bianchi; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Paul Simao)