Argentine Faith and Politics Converge as Pope Francis Canonizes First Female Saint

Pope Francis and Argentine President Javier Milei came together in St. Peters Basilica for the canonization of Mama Antula, Argentinas first female saint, marking a historic moment in Argentine faith and politics.

In a significant moment of unity between faith and politics, Pope Francis and Argentine President Javier Milei embraced during a Mass held in St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday. The ceremony marked the canonization of Argentina's first female saint, Mama Antula, and brought together the Argentine pope and the president, who had previously criticized Francis for his stance on social justice.

A Historic Embrace and Celebration

As the ceremony concluded, President Milei approached Pope Francis, who was seated near the main altar, and gave him a warm embrace. The president expressed his gratitude on Instagram, sharing a photo of the embrace and writing, "Muchas gracias...!!!"

Mama Antula, an 18th-century laywoman, dedicated her life to serving the poor and preserving Jesuit spirituality in Argentina during a time when the religious order faced suppression. Argentines flocked to Rome for the canonization, transforming the event into a joyous celebration of their country's first female saint.

Pope Francis Praises Mama Antula's Charity

In his homily, Pope Francis extolled Mama Antula as an exemplary model of charity. He urged the faithful to truly connect with the suffering of the poor, just as Jesus overcame fear and prejudice to touch the wounds of lepers. The pope highlighted the plight of those suffering on the sidewalks of cities and emphasized the need to address fears and inconsistencies that contribute to their pain.

Milei's Private Meetings and Controversial Past

President Milei is scheduled to have private meetings with Pope Francis on Monday, followed by separate talks with Italy's far-right Premier Giorgia Meloni and the president. During his election campaign, Milei had referred to Pope Francis as an "imbecile" and a "representative of malignance on Earth." However, Francis has since spoken with Milei and indicated his forgiveness for the campaign rhetoric.

Mama Antula: A Symbol of Strength and Independence

Born as Mar�a Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, Mama Antula is revered by Argentines as a woman who defied societal norms to spread Ignatian spirituality across the country. She left behind a life of privilege to pursue her spiritual calling, inspiring Argentine women with her strength and independence at a time when their options were limited to marriage or entering a convent.

Argentine pilgrim Annabella Lopez expressed her joy at Mama Antula's canonization, recognizing it as a significant step forward for women's visibility and empowerment within the church.

The Sainthood Process and Archbishop's Perspective

Silvia Correale, who played a crucial role in Mama Antula's sainthood process, recalled meeting the future Pope Francis when he was the archbishop of Buenos Aires. She believes that Pope Francis holds Mama Antula in high regard, as do many Jesuits in Argentina and Uruguay, who consider her their spiritual mother.

However, the current archbishop of Buenos Aires, Archbishop Jorge Ignacio Garc�a Cuerva, emphasized that Mama Antula's sainthood is not solely attributed to the fact that an Argentine Jesuit pope is leading the Catholic Church. He acknowledged that the process began in 1905 and that Pope Benedict XVI played a significant role in advancing her cause by declaring her venerable in 2010.

Archbishop Cuerva expressed gratitude for Pope Francis's role in canonizing Mama Antula but stressed that her sainthood stands independently of the pope's influence.