International Desk, (EFE).- Pope Francis, who never visited Argentina during his papacy, remained a polarizing figure in his homeland due to his political comments and his complex role during the country’s military dictatorship (1976–1983), according to experts consulted by EFE.
Despite expressing a desire to return he postponed the trip to avoid fueling political tensions.
During the country’s brutal military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, then provincial superior of the Jesuits, was accused of failing to protect two priests who were kidnapped and tortured.
Journalist Horacio Verbitsky’s 1999 book The Silence brought the allegations to light, accusing Bergoglio of not doing enough to shield them.Later investigations, however, revealed a more nuanced story.
In a 2010 testimony during a public human rights trial, Bergoglio explained that he had privately intervened with military leaders, even confronting Admiral Emilio Massera, saying, “I want them to appear.”
Father Franz Jalics, one of the kidnapped priests, later stated he reconciled with Bergoglio, saying, “We celebrated Mass together and embraced solemnly. I consider the matter closed.
”In a 2023 meeting with Hungarian Jesuits, Francis reflected: “Some people wanted to ‘cut off my head’ politically, but the truth came out. My innocence was confirmed.”Despite being cleared, the accusations left a lasting impact, especially in Argentina’s deep divisions over the dictatorship.
Balancing act between right and left
In recent decades, Francis stood as a vocal critic of corruption and systems that marginalized the poor.His confrontational stance often put him at odds with Argentine leaders from former president Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007) to President Javier Mile, earning him the label “the spiritual leader of the opposition.”
His 2016 meeting with conservative president Mauricio Macri (2015-2019) lasted only 22 minutes, and was described by local media as chilly.
In contrast, he maintained closer ties with Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, a Peronist.
Despite his emphasis on neutrality, many Argentines associated him with the populist Peronist movement, largely due to his focus on social justice.
However, Francis once stated “To claim I’m Peronist is a lie,” although he acknowledged that his advocacy sometimes fueled the perception.
President Javier Milei, who once called him an “imbecile” and accused him of “promoting communism,” later apologized and warmly embraced Francis during a 2024 visit to the Vatican.
Still, Francis did not hesitate to criticize Milei’s government after a violent crackdown on protesters: “Instead of delivering social justice, the government delivered pepper spray,” he declared during a Vatican address.
Francis never returned to his homeland
Since becoming pope in 2013, Francis traveled to several Latin American nations but never returned to his native Argentina, a striking absence that many attributed to the country’s deep political polarization.
After visiting neighboring Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Chile, Francis even skipped a brief stop in Argentina to collect his belongings after the 2013 conclave. He instead traveled to Rome with just a small suitcase and a one-way ticket.
“Argentina is a country with very polarized political opinions, and if he came back, he would inevitably be dragged into it,” sociologist Sol Pietro of the University of Buenos Aires told EFE.
Despite the distance, those close to Francis insist he never emotionally distanced himself.Father Lorenzo ‘Toto’ de Vedia, a priest from one of Buenos Aires’ poorest neighborhoods, shared that Francis stayed involved from afar, sending letters and videos to support key community milestones.
“He has always been very present,” De Vedia told EFE.Ultimately, Pope Francis’ absence from Argentina reflects his lifelong struggle to remain above the political fray. EFE
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