Not long ago, in response to Milei’s victory in the PASO, an important Bishop commented to me: “I don’t know my people.” I believe that something similar to this confusion happened to many priests from the popular neighborhoods, who without consulting Him decided to make a mass of reparation to Pope Francis for Milei’s offenses.
From there, several priests and bishops came out to say that voting for Milei was not a good Christian. It seemed that the people had to be disastrous about who Milei was, and that Massa represented the Social Doctrine of the Church.
I have always maintained that in a democracy the Church must remain outside of partisanship. As its name indicates, “the partisan departs.” The Church must always think about the day after. In a society devastated by bad policies for so many years, she must fulfill a religious role, one that encourages dialogue and harmony, being a builder of bridges, never someone dedicated to dynamiting them. The village priests met with Sergio Massa and then with Patricia Bullrich, and said that they did not intend to do so with Milei until he publicly asked for forgiveness.
Pope Francis knew that they had bogged down the situation by overreacting in their defense. He also knew that if a gesture of greatness had to be made, he had to do it.
He had been thinking about it in his heart when Providence gave him the opportunity to do it the way He likes, disconcerting. Nobody in the elected government expected his call, nor in the Church. There was no pre-announcement, no mediation, just a mutual friend for eight minutes of healing dialogue for both parties. I have heard from my friend Rabbi Daniel Goldman in many conferences that we have done with the IDI (Interreligious Dialogue Institute) that there is no dialogue between countries or institutions, but there is dialogue between people.
“If Massa wins, the Pope comes” they said. The Pope came out to clarify that his coming did not depend on political circumstances, but rather on his health. His visit is expected in March or April. The Nunciature has already made the necessary renovations in the house to receive it. If so, Milei would have the honor of being the one to welcome him back to his own land.
Fr. Guillermo Marco
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by Guillermo Marco
