google.com, pub-3998556743903564, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Why Pope Francis Never Visited Argentina During His Papacy

Why Pope Francis Never Visited Argentina During His Papacy

By Heraldviews

As millions of Argentinians mourn Pope Francis, one lingering question resonates across his homeland: Why did the first Latin American pope never visit Argentina during his 12-year papacy?

The pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, traveled extensively—including to all five countries bordering Argentina—but never set foot in his native country as pope. The absence, which caused disappointment among many Argentinians, appears rooted in the nation’s deep political divisions.

A Polarizing Figure at Home

Francis’s perceived alignment with Peronism, Argentina’s dominant center-left political movement, made him a contentious figure among conservatives. Though he denied being a Peronist, his advocacy for social justice and critiques of capitalism aligned with the movement’s principles.

"Those on the right accused him of being a Peronist, and he didn’t want his visit to deepen divisions," said a close friend of the pope, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "He always hoped to return, perhaps at the end of his papacy, but his health made it impossible."

A Missed Homecoming

Francis’s failure to return stands in contrast to his predecessors: Benedict XVI visited Germany, and John Paul II made multiple trips to Poland. But Argentina’s fraught political climate, where even the pope’s legacy is debated, posed unique challenges.

"His humility kept him away," said Ana María Cabrera, a theology professor in Buenos Aires. "He didn’t want to be used as a political symbol."

Though he never returned, Francis remained engaged with Argentina, frequently calling priests and activists there. Now, as the nation prepares to bid him farewell, many wonder if his death might finally bridge the divides that kept him away.

With additional agency reports

 

 

 

 

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