As a television pundit and a presidential candidate, Javier Milei built a reputation for his blunt remarks. In the years leading to his landslide win last Sunday, the libertarian economist would rarely hold back, labeling China an “assassin” state, Pope Francis as a “representative of the evil left,” and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as a “communist” and “crook.”
As president-elect, however, Mr. Milei has rapidly walked back on all these claims. Less than three weeks before taking office, the radical outsider has heralded a notorious U-turn in a mission to rebuild ties with prominent figures he once deeply offended.
At first, Mr. Milei described Pope Francis as a “filthy leftist.” Now, after an eight-minute phone conversation this week (placed by the Holy See as an olive branch), the incoming Argentinian president referred to the leader of the Catholic Church as the “most important Argentinian in history.”
The relationship between them had become strained in the past few months. It all started even before Mr. Milei decided to run for president. Featured as a mere grassroots television commentator, he had gone as far as calling the pope an “imbecile” who supports social justice — or as a representative of the devil on Earth.
As a candidate, he dismissed the pope as a supporter of “bloody dictatorships” in a wide-reaching interview with American conservative host Tucker Carlson. Just a few days before the first-round vote, one close mentor of his even suggested cutting ties with the Vatican altogether.
In September, a cohort of priests from impoverished neighborhoods in Buenos Aires organized a mass to protect Pope Francis from the attacks launched by Mr. Milei — who by that point had transitioned to a formidable presidential candidate.
As the election drew near, these priests took their message directly to the people, going door to door to dissuade voters from supporting the right-wing candidate.
But the Church is ready to let bygones be bygones.
“We are delighted to announce...
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