On the occasion of the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis, President Javier Milei sent a letter to the Archbishop of Mendoza and head of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, Marcelo Colombo.
During the message, the president expressed his appreciation for the figure of the pontiff, one of the most important Argentines in history, and recalled shared personal moments.
At the opening of the letter, Milei emphasized the historical relevance of Francisco, stating: “I address you with all due respect to send you a cordial greeting on this significant date, when we remember the departure to Eternal Life of His Holiness Francisco, undoubtedly one of the most important Argentines in our history due to the magnitude of the universal mission he had to carry out.”
Javier Milei and Pope Francis.
The head of state also referred to a personal episode that had an impact on a key moment in the country. In that regard, he wrote: “I have a very significant personal memory of the call I received from His Holiness on November 22, 2023, in which he gave me words of encouragement and reflection at a crucial moment for our
country.”
In addition, he recalled his meetings with the pontiff at the Vatican: “In the same way, I deeply value the meetings held in Rome in February 2024, where I could appreciate their warmth and clarity.”
In another section of the text, the President highlighted different aspects of Francis' pontificate, focusing on his doctrinal and pastoral actions.
“I want to highlight the tireless struggle of Pope Francis to protect life from conception, promote interreligious dialogue and bring spiritual and virtuous life closer to the youngest,” he said. He also highlighted his imprint on the leadership of the Church: “In addition, he highlighted his desire to bring austerity to the Holy See with
his pastoral gestures.” Milei's letter.
The message also included a direct reference to the religious ceremony held in his memory, where the president expressed his expectation about the spiritual impact of the event: “I hope that this Mass, on the first anniversary of the death of Francis, will produce much fruit throughout our people and that it will allow us to thankfully remember his pontificate.”
Along the same lines, he added a religious invocation linked to one of the country's most representative symbols: “May, from this Basilica so significant to the Pope, the Virgin of Luján protect and guard the entire Argentine Nation.”
Finally, the President closed the letter by reaffirming his institutional link with the Church and his support on the commemorative date. “I take this opportunity to express to you and to all the Argentine Bishops my closeness on this day, reiterating the assurances of my highest
consideration and esteem,” he concluded.
The letter is part of the tributes paid at the national level one year after the death of the first Argentine Pope, a figure who continues to have a strong impact on the country's religious, political and social life.
