Why Pope Francis never returned to Argentina as leader
After the death of Francis in Argentina, there is ongoing debate about why the Pope never visited his homeland. Despite declaring his attachment to the country, he avoided visiting, fearing the political consequences in a deeply divided society.
What do you need to know?
- Francis never visited Argentina as Pope, even though he promised to return after the conclave in 2013. Concerns about the political use of his visit were one of the reasons.
- The Pope met with four Argentine presidents at the Vatican, but he never promised any of them a visit to his homeland. His relations with the current president, Milei, were particularly strained.
- Francis's popularity in Argentina fell from 91% in 2013 to 64% in 2024. Conservatives and liberals had different expectations for his pontificate.
After Pope Francis's death, Argentine media are reflecting on why he never visited the country of his birth throughout his pontificate. Although he promised he would return in a few weeks when he left Buenos Aires in March 2013, he never set foot on Argentine soil again. For many compatriots, this was a source of disappointment, especially since the Pope often emphasized his love for his homeland, its people, and their daily life.
Pride in Francis turned into disappointment
As the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio used public transportation, visited the poor, and lived simply. However, as Pope, he preferred to avoid the risk that his visit would be used by feuding political factions in a deeply divided society. During 12 years of his pontificate, he received four Argentine presidents at the Vatican, but he never committed to a specific visit date.
The current Archbishop of the capital, Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva, bidding farewell to the Pope, compared Argentines to orphans of a father who had to learn to be a father to the whole world, not just his own nation. Over time, the initial pride in the "Pope from the end of the world" among Argentines gave way to disappointment. According to a Pew Research Center survey, support for Francis in Argentina fell from 91% in 2013 to 64% in 2024. For conservatives, he was too progressive; for liberals, too cautious in reforms.
Some leftist commentators also recalled controversies from before the pontificate — suggesting that as the Jesuit provincial during the military dictatorship, he did not oppose it strongly enough. However, these allegations were officially deemed baseless.
Called Francis a "representation of evil on earth"
In recent years, relations between the Pope and Argentina were further complicated by tensions with President Javier Milei. During the campaign, this politician called Francis the "representation of evil on earth," although after taking office, he softened his rhetoric and met with him at the Vatican. However, ideological differences remained prominent.
When asked about a possible visit to his homeland, Francis usually responded vaguely. In September 2024, he said, "I would like to go. It's my people, but it hasn't been planned yet. There are several things to sort out first." The trip never took place.
