ROME (AP) - In a surprising turn of events, Argentina's President Javier Milei and Pope Francis appeared to have put their differences aside as they held a historic meeting on Monday. The Vatican confirmed that the two men engaged in an hour and 10-minute discussion, which is notably longer than Francis' typical audiences. Notably, no translation was required, highlighting the strong rapport between the Argentine leader and the Pope.

Vatican footage captured a friendly moment between the president and the pontiff, as Francis briefly held Milei's arm for support while they made their way to his desk. The meeting took place amid growing speculation that Pope Francis might finally make a long-awaited visit to Argentina later this year, marking his return to his home country as the head of the Catholic Church.

Despite their initial rocky start, Milei and Pope Francis exchanged tokens of goodwill during their meeting. The president presented the Pope with a selection of his favorite Argentine dulce de leche alfajor cookies and lemon biscuits, while Francis reciprocated by gifting Milei with the documents of his papacy and a medallion.

In a later interview with Italy's Retequattro, Milei expressed newfound admiration for the Pope, emphasizing his importance as the foremost Argentine figure. "One of the things that I've come to understand, among other things, is that the pope is the Argentine who is the most important person in the country," Milei remarked, signaling a significant shift in his perception of the pontiff.

Interestingly, the warm exchange between the two leaders had already begun the previous day. At the conclusion of a Mass celebrating Argentina's first female saint, Milei surprised Francis with a bear hug. The Pope, sporting a beaming smile, playfully commented on the president's changed hairstyle.

While the details of their meeting were not disclosed, the positive atmosphere and exchange of gestures indicate a potential mending of the strained relationship between President Milei and Pope Francis. With speculation mounting about a possible visit by the pontiff to Argentina, the encounter holds promise for a renewed bond between the country's leader and the influential figurehead of the Catholic Church.