Pope Francis – The Son Who Never Returned to His Hometown Argentina: The Truth Behind His Absence

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, made history as the first Latin American pope, taking the position in 2013. He became an iconic figure worldwide, renowned for his humility, advocacy for the marginalized, and efforts to reform the Catholic Church. 

Yet, despite his papacy being defined by his connection to the global community, one of the most poignant aspects of his life was the fact that he never returned to his home country of Argentina. This absence remained a mystery for many, particularly in Argentina, where the expectation for his return never materialized.

The question remains—why did Pope Francis, who had such deep ties to his homeland, never visit Argentina after his elevation to the papacy?

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His death, after a papacy that spanned over a decade, is deeply felt in Argentina, the country that birthed him, and his passing has now drawn new attention to the unresolved question of why he never made the trip home.

When Pope Francis was elected, many in Argentina expected that, after his trip to Brazil in 2013, his next destination would be his homeland. The people of Argentina, who had watched Francis rise from the slums of Buenos Aires to become one of the most powerful religious figures in the world, were eager to welcome him home.

Yet, despite all the years of anticipation, a visit to Argentina never materialized.

This disappointment was magnified by the pope’s travels across the globe. He made history with his unprecedented visits to countries such as Iraq, Myanmar, and North Macedonia, yet he never returned to Argentina. This absence became a major talking point, with many Argentinians wondering why their beloved pope had not made the journey back to his roots.

One reason, as we will see, was deeply rooted in the political landscape of Argentina—a land fraught with division.

Argentina is known for its highly polarized political environment, and this division seeped into almost every aspect of the nation's culture, including its relationship with Pope Francis. When Francis served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he was a strong advocate for the poor and the marginalized, which earned him a following among the working-class and impoverished communities.

However, his relationship with Argentina’s political elite was far more complicated.

During his time as Archbishop, Francis found himself frequently at odds with the more progressive governments of the Kirchner family, particularly with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. While the Kirchners were aligned with more left-wing, progressive ideals, Pope Francis, who had a right-wing Peronist background, was more conservative on many issues, particularly on social matters like same-sex marriage and abortion.

The political divide in Argentina made it almost impossible for Pope Francis to visit without being embroiled in a political maelstrom. Any visit would inevitably have been exploited by one side or the other, deepening the country's political divisions.

Given this reality, Pope Francis decided against making the trip back home.

Jimmy Burns, author of Francis, Pope of Good Promise, highlighted this issue, noting that Pope Francis did not want to be seen as siding with either the left-leaning Peronists or the conservative elites. His presence would have made him a symbol of division, and Pope Francis, ever mindful of the larger impact of his actions, chose to stay away in order to avoid further polarization.

Guillermo Marco, a former spokesman for Pope Francis when he was Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, commented that the pope had a “tango soul,” a reference to the vibrant dance and music that originates from the streets of Buenos Aires. Marco reflected on how Pope Francis would have loved to visit Argentina, but he was keenly aware that such a trip would not be as simple as visiting the people he loved.

Instead, it would have been political theater, with both his supporters and detractors fighting over his presence.

Pope Francis' absence was thus not a lack of affection for his homeland, but rather an acknowledgment of the complexities of his position. While he longed to return, he understood that a visit would be too controversial and could exacerbate the very divisions he had worked his whole life to heal.

Pope Francis’ views on social and political issues evolved over time, reflecting the complexities of his role as the Pope and his deepening connection to global issues. In his younger years, he had been drawn to the populist policies of Argentina’s Peronist movement, which advocated for social justice and the welfare of the poor. However, his time as Archbishop saw him adopt a more nuanced position on these issues.

His criticisms of free-market policies and neoliberalism, as well as his outspoken stance on issues like income inequality and poverty, marked him as a controversial figure in Argentina. As Pope, he continued to advocate for the poor and marginalized, but his shift toward a more progressive stance on social issues alienated him from some factions of the political right.

His critics on the right in Argentina viewed his positions as left-wing, and his strong stance on human rights and social justice created tension with conservative elements in the country.

By the end of his papacy, Pope Francis had become a divisive figure not only internationally but also at home in Argentina. His favorability rating, which had been at an overwhelming 91% when he was first elected, had dropped by a significant 27 points. The shifting political dynamics, particularly with the rise of far-right figures like Mauricio Macri and Javier Milei, further complicated his relationship with his home country.

Pope Francis, ever conscious of the political challenges in his homeland, understood that a visit would expose him to a situation that he could not control. His absence was also a reflection of the personal and professional challenges he faced as Pope. While he longed for a simpler, personal visit to the country, he knew that his arrival would be politicized.

In interviews, Pope Francis often spoke of how he missed his home country. In 2023, he expressed that he had wanted to visit Argentina, calling the people of his country "my people." But as always, he acknowledged that there were "various matters to be resolved first."

These comments revealed the inner conflict Pope Francis felt about his home country—his deep love for the people but also his recognition of the political forces that would twist his every move.

The political tension between Pope Francis and his homeland reached its peak during the presidency of Mauricio Macri, who took office in 2015. While Macri had previously been an ally of Bergoglio when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, their relationship soured as Pope Francis became more outspoken in his criticism of Macri's economic policies.

The Pope’s shifting views on Argentina’s politics were clear, and as a result, the gap between him and the Argentine government only widened.

When Cristina Kirchner returned to power as Vice President in 2019, the political climate had shifted once again. However, the relationship between Pope Francis and the government remained cordial, even as economic instability and corruption scandals continued to affect the country.

Pope Francis, despite his absence from Argentina, continued to influence the political discourse in subtle but significant ways, particularly on issues like social justice, workers’ rights, and the treatment of the marginalized.

As Pope Francis approached the final years of his papacy, the polarization that had defined his relationship with Argentina was a defining aspect of his legacy. Despite his deep connection to the country and his efforts to heal the divisions within the Church and society, he became, in the eyes of many, a figure who symbolized the rift between conservative and progressive forces in Argentina.

His decision to avoid visiting Argentina, although painful, was a reflection of the political divisions he had worked so hard to navigate throughout his life.

Pope Francis, the son of Argentina, never returned to the country that had raised him. His absence from Argentina was not due to a lack of affection for his people, but rather a recognition of the complex and politically charged environment that defined his home country.

His legacy, both as the first Latin American pope and as a figure who championed social justice and the rights of the marginalized, will continue to shape Argentina for years to come. While his death has left a void in the Catholic Church, it also serves as a reminder of the complexities of his relationship with his homeland—a relationship that was marked by both deep love and painful distance.