President Javier Milei made the decision to travel to Rome to attend Pope Francis's funeral, according to official sources. The trip to the Italian capital will be finalized once the Vatican officially announces the dates of the farewell ceremonies for the Supreme Pontiff.
The head of state's decision was announced this morning, along with the cancellation of all official activities scheduled for the day, which included government tasks and a planned interview with the presidential spokesperson and candidate for Buenos Aires legislator, Manuel Adorni.
Nevertheless, the trip is contingent upon confirmation from the Vatican authorities, who are organizing the pope's funeral events. In this context, Francis approved a new version of the "Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis" last November, the protocol that regulates the funeral rituals for a pontiff.
Javier y Karina Milei junto con el papa Francisco.
At that time, with his health already weakened, the pope introduced a series of modifications aimed at simplifying some aspects of the ceremony and more explicitly reaffirming the faith in the resurrection of Christ.
It is estimated that the Argentine president will make the trip accompanied by a small delegation, which would include his sister and Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Werthein; and the Secretary of Worship and Civilization, Nahuel Sotelo, who was notified of the pontiff's death at 4 a.m. (Argentine time) from Rome.
Milei's message
President Javier Milei expressed deep shock at the news of Pope Francis's death, who was Archbishop of Buenos Aires and the highest authority of the Catholic Church in Argentina. "With deep sorrow, I learned this sad morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away today and is now resting in peace," the president stated.
Javier Milei y el papa Francisco.
He added: "Despite differences that now seem minor, having been able to know him in his kindness and wisdom was a true honor for me. As President, as an Argentine, and essentially, as a man of Faith, I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand with all of us who are faced with this sad news today."
As a gesture of respect and recognition, Milei's government and the main figures of the libertarian space decided to suspend all campaign activities. Everything from the planned walks in Buenos Aires City to the political event that was to be held tomorrow in La Plata, with the participation of Karina Milei and Sebastián Pareja, and which was expected to be led by the President himself, was canceled.
