VATICAN CITY (CNN) -
A cordial Vatican meeting between the president of Argentina and the new pope with the two Argentines exchanging gifts.
But their get-together Monday was in sharp contrast to the war of words between the two leaders less than three years ago.
In mid 2010, Argentina was polarized over a same sex marriage bill supported by Cristina Fernandez De Kirchner who called the church's actions against the measure - "Attitudes reminiscent of medieval times and the inquisition."
Then, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio blasted the bill dubbing it "A destructive attack on God's plan."
"The church has asked Catholics to oppose this and that's exactly what I'm doing as a Catholic."
But some say the future pontiff was much more conciliatory than he appeared.
Marcelo Marquez is a gays rights activist and former theology professor at a Catholic seminary near the Argentine capital.
He says Bergoglio told him in private in 2010 that he favored gay rights and went as far as saying he didn't oppose gay civil unions.
"He told me that he understands that homosexual people should have their rights protected in society. He also said he believed that Argentina was not ready for a gay marriage law, but said he would favor a law granting civil unions," Marcelo Marquez, a Gay Rights Activist said.
Marquez says the meeting happened after he sent Bergoglio this letter on behalf of gay Catholics supporting the same sex marriage bill.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that at a private meeting of bishops, also in 2010, Cardinal Bergoglio advocated that the church in Argentina support the idea.
A senior Vatican official said the Roman Catholic Church could neither confirm nor deny the report at this point. The official added that, while Pope Francis might have expressed such view while he was a cardinal, he should be given time to develop his policy position as pontiff.
