Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Argentina, marking the first papal visit in 39 years. The trip is being viewed as a consolation prize for the homeland of predecessor Francis, who disappointed his compatriots by never returning as pontiff. A TV screen at the entrance to Buenos Aires Cathedral displays images of Francis kissing the feet of the faithful. Next to it, a poster advertises the open-air mass that US-born Leo will celebrate in Buenos Aires.
The memory of Francis looms large over Leo's visit. For 23-year-old Sol Burgos, Leo's arrival is a source of solace. She believes Argentina was deeply hurt to lose its pope, but Leo's close ties to Latin America, cultivated over long years as a missionary and archbishop in Peru, have helped smooth the transition. Burgos expressed relief that the new pope has a connection with Latin America.
Francis visited several countries in Latin America during his 12 years as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics but studiously avoided his own country. The most widely held view is that he feared a visit would be seen as endorsing the divisive center-left Peronist movement in power for much of his papacy. This absence disappointed many and fueled ongoing speculation about why Francis never visited Argentina.
Libertarian President Javier Milei, who won in 2023, previously attacked Francis over his criticisms of capitalism and perceived leftist political stances. Milei believes Francis wanted to visit but chose not to, fearing it would cause a political earthquake. In a 2023 book-length interview, Francis argued being pope was a political role but that he drew the line at party politics.
The current archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Garcia Cuerva, has downplayed comparisons between Francis and Leo. He emphasized that the successor of Peter is coming, not the successor of Francis. Garcia Cuerva has billed Leo's visit as a chance to mend divisions in Argentine society, between the rich and poor, left and right.
Leo will be greeted by Milei at the foot of his plane when he arrives from Uruguay. He will then attend a giant open-air mass in the capital, travel to the central city of Cordoba, and visit a basilica near Buenos Aires that attracts millions of pilgrims each year. The last pope to visit Argentina was John Paul II in 1987.
Leo's visit comes at a time when Argentina is reeling after three years of biting austerity. The Catholic Church has fiercely criticized the price paid by the poor for Milei's budget cuts and deregulation. Taking a leaf from Francis's book, Leo has put the poor and marginalized at the center of his papacy, which is seen as a continuation of Francis's imprint on the Vatican and the church.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina is seen as a consolation prize for the homeland of predecessor Francis, who never returned as pontiff.
- Francis avoided visiting Argentina during his papacy, reportedly fearing it would cause a political earthquake.
- Leo's visit aims to mend divisions in Argentine society and focus on the poor and marginalized.
