Pope Francis meets with Argentine president

Francis has clashed with Argentine president in past over social issues

Author: By CNN Staff
Published On: Mar 18 2013 07:33:21 AM CDT   Updated On: Mar 18 2013 07:39:28 AM CDT
Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio
(CNN) -

Pope Francis met at the Vatican on Monday with the leader of his native Argentina, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner -- a figure with whom Francis clashed publicly in the past over social issues.

The Argentine president is among a number of world leaders scheduled to be at the Vatican for Francis' inauguration on Tuesday.

When he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis clashed with the Argentine government over his opposition to same-sex marriage and free distribution of contraceptives. But she sent a letter congratulating him as he assumed his new role.