Javier Milei’s upcoming meeting with Pope Francis on February 12 has come as a surprise to many, considering his previous criticisms of the pontiff. The Argentine president, who had once accused the Catholic leader of having ties to “murderous communists,” seems to have had a change of heart.

In the past, Milei did not hold back in his criticism of Pope Francis, going as far as calling him the “representative of evil on Earth” and an “imbecile who defends social justice.” Milei also accused the pope of having political interference and sympathizing with leftist leaders like Fidel Castro and Nicolás Maduro.

However, Milei’s animosity towards the pontiff seems to have subsided as he embarks on an international tour that includes a visit to the Vatican. This visit will be followed by stops in Israel and Italy.

Despite the previous insults he hurled at Pope Francis, Milei now intends to attend the canonization ceremony of Blessed María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, also known as Mama Antula, in the Vatican on February 11. This change of heart may surprise many, but it remains to be seen how this newfound sympathy for the pope will play out in Milei’s political career.