Vatican City:
Pope Francis crossed the continent and visited 68 countries, including war zones during the 12-year Pope See, but he never returned to his hometown of Argentina. The country was close to his heart, but Pope Francis often said it was difficult to pay for a visit.
Whenever he was asked about his return to Argentina, he said, “I spent 76 years in Argentina. That’s enough, right?” According to the New York Times, Pope Francis said he didn’t want politicians to use his visits for their interests.
“He doesn’t want the president to wrap himself in his cloak or say, ‘I’m the one who brought the Pope’,” said Sebastian Morales, a resident of Buenos Aires.
In 2017, there were reports that the Pope would visit Argentina as part of his trip to Chile. But it never happened due to scheduling issues.
Last year he flirted with the idea again, but according to the era, he was worried about political influence.
In a 2023 interview, he said, “I don’t refuse to go. No, it’s not at all. The trip was planned. I’m accepting the opportunity.”
Pope Francis had a rocky relationship with Argentina. As archbishop, his views clashed with then-President Christina Fernandez de Kirchiner, who supported same-sex marriage.
He was also opposed to some of the policies of another president, Mauricio Macri. In 2020, he strongly opposed President Alberto Fernandez’s legalization of abortion.
Pope Francis also had a tense relationship with current president Javier Mairi. Before taking office, he often humiliated Mr. Francis and called him “idiot.” Miley then apologised to him, and the two met in Vatican last year.
Roberto Carls, a lawyer closely associated with Pope Francis and served as Argentina’s Italian ambassador from 2020 to 2023, said the Pope was frustrated because his actions and gestures were intended to have a universal message, either related to local politics or the issues unique to Argentina.
He said, “What he did, which clearly had broad and universal meaning, bothered him, was often seen as being directed towards local politics and the specific reality of our country.”
“Even if Francis was worried that the visit would become a political issue, he should have surpassed it above all else,” said Marcela Guimenez, 73, a retired perfume sales woman.
Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 after a long-term illness, the Vatican announced Monday.
