On Saturday, Pope Francis will meet with Mauricio Macri, the current president of Argentina. He took office just two months ago but both have long known each other since Macri was governor of Buenos Aires and Jorge Bergoglio was the archbishop.
Argentina's new ambassador to the Holy See arranged the visit, during his first meeting with the Pope.
ROGELIO PFIRTER
Ambassador of Argentina to the Holy See
'Yes, it is a very special visit. It is an early visit because the president was appointed just two months ago. I am hoping that this first meeting will serve to consolidate these provisional expectations that open and build a bridge of support.â?
Rogelio Pfirter is an old acquaintance. He was the Pope's student in the 1960s. Although many years have passed, both have not lost contact with one another. The ambassador still has fond memories of the new pontiff.
ROGELIO PFIRTER
Ambassador of Argentina to the Holy See
'He was 28-years-old, so he was very young, very dynamic and charismatic. His many students were all very impressed by his personality, and the stimulus that he made us feel when trying to discover and develop our inner talents, I was among them.â?
During the meeting, many issues could become talking points: Pope Francis is concerned about the drug trade in Argentina and the President could propose a plan to aid in helping Syrian refugees.
It will not be the first time that Mauricio Macri visits the Pope at the Vatican. The last time was in September 2013 and his last telephone contact was last December 17th when Macri called the Pope to wish him a happy birthday.
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