Sao Paulo
Priests from poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires held a community mass this Tuesday (5) to defend the 86yearold Pope Francis from a series of insults from the ultraliberal MP and presidential candidate Javier Milei. The economist has already directly attacked the Pope, calling him an “idiot who defends social justice,” a “son of a bitch who preaches communism,” and a “representative of evil on earth.”
Milei was the candidate with the most votes in Argentina’s primaries and is leading the polls ahead of the Oct. 22 general election. Representing an angry vote against traditional political forces, the candidate’s criticism resonates with voters angered by the high cost of living due to Argentina’s 113% inflation, a currency in constant devaluation and a poverty rate of around 40%.
The mass was celebrated in front of the parish of Milagres de Caacupé in favela 2124 in the south of the Argentine capital in the presence of a thousand faithful. Some people held photos of Francisco in their hands.
“This Mass is about rejecting insults and supporting the Pope,” said priest José “Pepe” Di Paola during the celebration. He worked closely with Jorge Bergoglio when the current pontiff was archbishop of Buenos Aires before being appointed the Catholic Church’s highest religious authority in 2013.
Francisco lived modestly as archbishop, using public transportation and keeping a low profile when providing aid to poor areas of the city. This behavior earned him the nickname “Pope of the Favelas.”
“It’s unworthy of a candidate to say ‘social justice shit’ when part of the gospel, the social teaching of the church, is love for others,” Di Paola said, referring to Milei’s criticism of social justice as “the greatest political deviation” defined .
“This sermon contradicts the faith of the Pope, who is the person he is attacking, but the attack definitely violates our faith and humanism,” the priest added. He claims to believe that the outcome of the primaries with Milei at the helm is a result of the “rage vote” at a time when the country is suffering.
But after the August 13 primaries, in which Milei was the candidate with the most votes (29.86%), the presidential candidate tempered his words and said that if he were elected and the Pope visited Argentina, he would “like him.” received a boss “minister of state” because he was “the spiritual leader of the vast majority of Argentines”.
Since taking office ten years ago, Francis has not returned to his home country, partly due to the political tensions in the country. However, the pope said he could travel there in 2024, although it is not known whether he would do so if Milei wins the Casa Rosada.
The politician presents himself as a thirdway candidate, “unlike anything else out there,” and his main mottos are anticorruption and radical neoliberalism.