Tense relations: Pope accuses Argentina of repression and corruption

BUENOS AIRES (AP).— Pope Francis has once again strained relations with the Argentine government of Javier Milei by denouncing an alleged case of bribery involving a minister and questioning the actions of security forces in dispersing protests against the economic adjustment plan in his native country.

The Catholic leader addressed these issues yesterday during a symposium organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which was attended by representatives of social movements in Argentina that are in conflict with the government.

“The devil always comes in through the pockets. A bribe here, something there. An international entrepreneur who was making investments in Argentina told me… that he went to present the plan for new extensions to the minister and the minister treated him very well,” Francisco said, without revealing the identity of those involved.

“The next day the minister’s secretary called him and said: ‘Look, can you come in two days?’ We’ll give you the permit and everything.’ He came in, gave him the papers, the signatures, and when he was about to get up, he said: ‘And how much for us?’ And how much for us?’ The bribe,” revealed the Pope, who did not offer details about the case.

Francis also referred to the incidents during a recent protest by retirees in front of Congress against income cuts, where a girl was sprayed in the face with pepper spray while federal forces advanced against the demonstration in accordance with the Ministry of Security protocol to prevent the blocking of streets and avenues.

“I was shown a repression, a week or a little less ago. Workers, people who were demanding their rights in the street. And the police repelled them with something that is the most expensive there is, that top-quality pepper spray. And they had no right to demand what was theirs, because they were rioters, communists. No, no. The government stood firm and instead of paying for social justice, it paid for the pepper spray,” the Pope commented.

He then argued that “the human culture of a people is seen in how they care for their children and their elderly.”

In Buenos Aires, when asked about the Pope’s statements, Argentine presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni said that the government respects them but does not agree with them.

“It is the opinion of Pope Francis, which we respect, we listen to and we even reflect on what the Pope says, but we do not have to share his vision on some issues. But the respect is total and absolute,” said Adorni during one of his usual press conferences at the Casa Rosada, the seat of the Executive.

The presidential spokesman stressed that the relationship with the Pope “has always been very good” and highlighted his invitation to the Argentine Minister of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello, who last week gave him a report on the situation in the South American country in areas that are under the portfolio’s jurisdiction, including Social Development, Labor and Education.

“The relationship with the Pope is fantastic. That doesn’t mean that we should start to accept our differences and accept that we don’t have the same opinion on all issues, and that we are welcome to do so with him or any other world leader,” Adorni added.

Asked whether the government would investigate the corruption complaint made by Francisco, Adorni said he did not know “where the comment came from” although he clarified that if the justice system deems it necessary to investigate, he will do so.

“Clearly, if there is a fact that needs to be investigated, it will be investigated, of course,” he said.

The spokesman avoided creating controversy when he was reminded of Milei’s comments against Francis during last year’s election campaign – when he described the Pope as “the representative of evil on Earth” – and said that “that is a settled discussion” and that currently “the relationship is very good.”