In brief
While faithful gathered for open-air masses, many wonder why the pontiff never returned to Argentina during his papacy.
In Buenos Aires, the grief following Pope Francis’s passing is intertwined with a haunting question that millions of Argentines share: why didn’t he return home during his 12 years as pope? As open-air masses filled the streets, mourners expressed both sorrow and confusion. Laura Aguirre, a bakery cashier, articulated what many felt: “I have to be honest, I didn’t like that he never came to Argentina.” Despite receiving numerous invitations from both presidents and church leaders, Francis opted to avoid visiting his home country. Experts suggest that a desire to remain apolitical played a crucial role in his decision, as he feared being used for personal or political gain. “He didn’t want any president to wrap themselves in his cloak,” stated Sebastián Morales, further highlighting the fraught political landscape in Argentina during his tenure.Throughout his papacy, Francis’s relationship with Argentine leaders was complex. His tenure as archbishop of Buenos Aires was marred by disagreements, particularly with former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner over issues like same-sex marriage and the more recent legalization of abortion under President Alberto Fernández's administration. Current president Javier Milei’s contentious remarks about the pope had also set a strained rapport, despite their recent meeting at the Vatican.As the nation prepares for Francis’s funeral, the intertwining of mourning and unanswered questions continues to resonate deeply within the hearts of many Argentines.
