Francis and Macri focus on drugs and poverty

The Argentine president has said there was no political point behind a gift from Pope Francis to a social leader imprisoned in Argentina, writes Isabel de Bertodano.

Mauricio Macri said people had “wrongly interpreted” the rosary sent by the Pope to Milagros Sala, founder of the political group Tupac Amaru, who has been charged with fraud and extortion. Francis sent the rosary via the director of an education group who visited the Vatican last month.

“Francis always hopes even the greatest sinner will have an opportunity to pray and repent,” Mr Macri told French media.

The topic is not thought to have been discussed by Mr Macri and Francis when they met at the Vatican last Saturday. During the 22-minute private audience, poverty and drugs were highlighted. Mr Macri said Francis had given him two pieces of advice: “be patient and do not hesitate to confront the most serious problems facing Argentina – particularly drug trafficking and corruption”.