During a Mass held in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Pope Francis and Argentine President Javier Milei shared a moment of embrace as they gathered to canonize Argentina's first female saint, Mama Antula. This historic occasion marked the first meeting between the Argentine pope and Milei, who had previously criticized Francis for his stance on social justice. Despite their differences, the president greeted the pope with a warm bearhug, symbolizing a moment of reconciliation.
Mama Antula, also known as María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, was an 18th-century laywoman who dedicated her life to serving the poor and promoting the teachings of the Jesuits in Argentina. The Jesuit religious order, which Pope Francis belongs to, faced suppression at that time, and Mama Antula played a crucial role in keeping their spirituality alive. Her canonization drew a significant number of Argentines to Rome, turning the event into a joyful celebration of their country's heritage.
During the Mass, which had a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of an Argentine fiesta, President Milei waved to his supporters in the pews and posed for selfies with fellow compatriots. The ceremony honored a woman who defied the societal norms of her era to spread her faith. In his homily, Pope Francis praised Mama Antula as an exemplar of charity and urged the faithful to imitate Jesus by approaching and embracing the wounds of the poor, transcending fear and prejudice.
The embrace between Pope Francis and President Milei signified a significant moment of reconciliation and forgiveness. The president had previously referred to the pope as an 'imbecile' during his campaign. However, since the election, Francis spoke at length with Milei, indicating his forgiveness for the derogatory remarks. The pope has even expressed the possibility of visiting Argentina later this year, which would be his first trip to his home country since assuming the papacy in 2013.
President Milei's visit to Rome included private meetings not only with Pope Francis but also with Italy's far-right Premier Giorgia Meloni and the president. The president's Instagram posts throughout the trip reflected his ideology of anarcho-capitalism, emphasizing freedom and a reduction in state spending to address the country's significant budget deficit and rampant inflation.
Mama Antula is highly revered by Argentines, particularly women, who view her as a symbol of strength and independence. At a time when women's options were limited to marriage or entering convent life, Mama Antula chose a different path, spreading Ignatian spirituality across Argentina. Argentine pilgrims attending the Mass expressed joy over her canonization, seeing it as a crucial step towards greater visibility for women and progress within the Church.
Silvia Correale, the driving force behind Mama Antula's path to sainthood, shared her memories of meeting Pope Francis when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Correale highlighted the esteemed regard in which the Jesuits, including the pope, held Mama Antula, acknowledging her immense contribution to preserving the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius during a time when the Jesuits faced persecution.
While some may perceive Mama Antula's canonization as a consequence of having an Argentine Jesuit pope, Archbishop Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva clarified that her process started long before Pope Francis's tenure. The archbishop emphasized that it was Pope Benedict XVI who recognized Mama Antula's venerability in 2010, setting her on the path to sainthood. Nonetheless, the fact that an Argentine Jesuit pope can now canonize her is seen as a fitting tribute to her legacy.
The canonization of Mama Antula as Argentina's first female saint holds profound significance for the Argentine people. It represents a step forward in recognizing the contributions of women to the faith and serves as a source of inspiration for individuals seeking to break free from societal norms. The embrace between Pope Francis and President Milei exemplifies the power of forgiveness and the potential for reconciliation, setting the stage for a more harmonious relationship between faith and politics in Argentina.
