How Pope Francis’s Passing Left Argentines ‘Orphaned’ in More Ways Than One

The passing of Pope Francis has left Argentina mourning, with many feeling “orphans” after losing a father figure who had always remained deeply connected to his native land. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, later Pope Francis in 2013, was born in Buenos Aires and was once the city’s archbishop before his surprise selection as the world’s first Latin American Pope. Though he had international fame, Francis never did go back to his homeland in Argentina after assuming the papacy, leaving his fellow countrymen with a great sense of loss.

A Fatherly Figure Lost

Buenos Aires’ Archbishop, Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva, said the departure of Pope Francis was that of “a father who deeply loved his country but was forced to be the father of the entire world.” Pope Francis’s exit from Argentina had become an emotional goodbye for most Argentines. “Bergoglio left us to be Francis,” García Cuerva stated, feeling the poignancy of the pope’s international call.

Pope Francis’s Surprising Election

The election of Pope Francis was unexpected, even to him. Bergoglio was 76 years old when he was chosen, an age at which most cardinals and bishops would have already been thinking of retirement. His unexpected arrival at the papacy was shocking, and his last leave-taking in Buenos Aires was the end of an era for Argentina. Despite this, Bergoglio, known for his humility and dedication to social justice, embarked on a papacy that lasted over a decade.

As his condition worsened, his death at 87 left the country in deep sorrow with seven days of national mourning. Most Argentines lauded the humility and simplicity of his papacy. Elenir Ramazol, a nun who had sat through a vigil at the Buenos Aires cathedral, highlighted that Pope Francis’s dedication went beyond Argentina as he would always demonstrate commitment to the whole Catholic Church.

Pope Francis’s Controversy and Disillusionment

Nonetheless, the papacy was controversial in Pope Francis when back in his homeland, too. Initially, when their own countryman became pope, there was pride. Some critics did become disillusioned, though, as time went on. A Pew Research Center poll reported a sharp drop in favorable opinions of the pope among Argentines, from 91% in 2013 to only 64% in 2024. His detractors frequently criticized him for not doing enough to resist the military dictatorship that governed Argentina during the 1970s and 1980s. Also, his perceived alignment with social justice causes and left-wing politics irritated some conservative leaders in criticizing him, even though he persisted in negotiating with other political groups in Argentina.

A Pope Who Remained Engaged: Pope Francis

During his papacy, Pope Francis was very much concerned with the affairs of Argentina and often talked about cultural issues like soccer and tango with his friend Gustavo Vera. Although Francis visited neighboring nations, he never returned to Argentina. Some attributed this to politics since the pope did not want his presence to be exploited for political purposes. Vera speculates that Pope Francis’s aversion to political polarization might have hindered his return.

His absence was sorely missed throughout Argentina’s still-ongoing economic woes, where inflation shot through the roof and poverty level rose. Despite this, though, Pope Francis remained concerned for the nation and remained a source of moral compass and unity despite being far from home.

A Citizen of the World

In a closing reflection, Vera explained that Pope Francis no longer viewed himself as being exclusively from Argentina, but as a “citizen of the world.” This global vision characterized his papacy, although to many Argentines, he will forever be one of their own. His death creates a deep emptiness, yet also serves to remind that though he is no longer among us physically, his mark is still deeply rooted in the hearts of those who cherished him.