Following Argentina’s presidential election on Sunday 19 November, won by libertarian so-called “anti-Pope” economist Javier Milei, its new vice-president has taken flak in the media for her traditional Catholic views and practices.
Victoria Villarruel, 48, who was elected with the recent victory of her running-mate Milei, has been described as a member of “a marginal and ultra-conservative Catholic faction” and someone who engages in “secret rituals” (the ancient Latin liturgy) by the Argentine press.
She particularly drew criticism for her reported attendance of a Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) chapel in downtown Buenos Aires, with critics drawing particular attention to the fact that the SSPX was once home to (now-expelled) Bishop Richard Williamson who is an accused holocaust-denier.
Attention has been given to her position as honorary president of the Tridentine Foundation for Classical Values. The group not only shares its name with the form of the liturgy she is known to attend, but also promotes “classical knowledge” such as the study of Greek and Latin alongside “strengthening in values and virtues” in education and the defences of the traditional family unit and life from the moment of conception.
Villarruel, with Milei, has also come under fire for being a vocal critic of abortion and same-sex marriage, both hotly contested topics in Argentina’s politics, especially since the country legalised same-sex marriage in 2010 and abortion in 2020.
Villarruel’s views on the latter issue are aligned with the Argentine public. The departing Justicialist administration made Argentina only the second South American nation to legalise abortion three years ago to widespread protest, in spite of the fact that polls showed only some 44 per cent of the public favoured its legalisation while a majority of around 50-60 per cent opposed it.
In 2019, she took part in the 45th annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lujàn, a national shrine granted recognition and honours by Popes Pius XI, Pius XII and John Paul II.
“… I was able to walk the 65 km and see the Virgin of Luján,” she announced on social media at the time, “Patroness of Argentina. It really is an enormous effort, but walking with others, united in Faith, seeing the humility of houses, towns and pilgrims puts everything in perspective.”
Since his election, Javier Milei, who has previously been a vociferous critic of the Pope calling him a “son of a bitch” and an “imbecile”, has spoken to the pontiff on the telephone, although who initiated the call is not know.
“We are pleased to announce that His Holiness, Pope Francis, spoke with our future president to congratulate him and to express his wishes for the unity and progress for our country,” Milei’s office said in a statement.
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