Argentine priests defend Pope Francis over 'shameful' Milei attacks

Priests attend a mass to rebuff attacks on Pope Francis by presidential candidate Javier Milei, of La Libertad Avanza coalition, in the villa 21-24 neighborhood, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Priests from poor districts in Buenos Aires held a mass on Tuesday to defend Argentine Pope Francis after radical right-wing presidential candidate Javier Milei denounced him as an "imbecile" and "representative of evil".

Milei, an outsider libertarian economist, is leading in the polls ahead of an Oct. 22 general election, with brash campaign criticism of his political rivals resonating with some voters angry with a cost of living crisis due to 113% inflation.