As Argentina grieves the loss of Pope Francis, a sense of longing lingers, particularly centered around one critical question: why did he never return home during his tenure as pope? At an open-air Mass held in Buenos Aires to honor the first Latin American pontiff, many attendees expressed their disappointment over his absence throughout the years. “I have to be honest, I didn’t like that he never came to Argentina,” remarked Laura Aguirre, 50, a local bakery cashier.
This sentiment echoes throughout the city, as parishioners gather near the Basílica de San José de Flores, just a short distance from Francis's childhood home. Despite numerous invitations from Argentina's political leaders throughout his 12-year papacy, Francis never set foot in his native country. Experts suggest that his hesitation might stem from a desire to avoid being embroiled in political affairs. Sebastián Morales, 37, put it succinctly: "He didn’t want any president to wrap themselves in his cloak, to say ‘I’m the one who brought the pope.’”
Pope Francis’s relationship with Argentine politicians has been notably complex. As the archbishop of Buenos Aires, he notably clashed with former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner over the legalization of same-sex marriage. Although tensions eased after he became pope, differences persisted, especially regarding former President Mauricio Macri's right-leaning policies and the legalization of abortion supported by current President Alberto Fernández. Recently elected President Javier Milei had famously referred to the pope as an "imbecile" for his advocacy of social justice, though he later apologized. Notably, Milei has announced his intention to attend Francis's funeral this Saturday.
As Argentina navigates this moment of grief, the absence of a visit from Pope Francis remains a poignant and unresolved aspect of his legacy, stirring both pride and disappointment among the people who admired him.
This sentiment echoes throughout the city, as parishioners gather near the Basílica de San José de Flores, just a short distance from Francis's childhood home. Despite numerous invitations from Argentina's political leaders throughout his 12-year papacy, Francis never set foot in his native country. Experts suggest that his hesitation might stem from a desire to avoid being embroiled in political affairs. Sebastián Morales, 37, put it succinctly: "He didn’t want any president to wrap themselves in his cloak, to say ‘I’m the one who brought the pope.’”
Pope Francis’s relationship with Argentine politicians has been notably complex. As the archbishop of Buenos Aires, he notably clashed with former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner over the legalization of same-sex marriage. Although tensions eased after he became pope, differences persisted, especially regarding former President Mauricio Macri's right-leaning policies and the legalization of abortion supported by current President Alberto Fernández. Recently elected President Javier Milei had famously referred to the pope as an "imbecile" for his advocacy of social justice, though he later apologized. Notably, Milei has announced his intention to attend Francis's funeral this Saturday.
As Argentina navigates this moment of grief, the absence of a visit from Pope Francis remains a poignant and unresolved aspect of his legacy, stirring both pride and disappointment among the people who admired him.
