Pope Francis Is Planning to Visit His Native Argentina Next Year

Pope Francis, who made history as the first pontiff from Latin America, is planning to visit his home country of Argentina soon.

The Catholic News Agency reported that the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires admitted to Argentinian journalist Joaquín Morales Sola during a recent private audience at the Vatican that he would like to go to Argentina in 2024.

"I want to go to the country next year," the pope reportedly told his fellow Argentinian. The comments were reported in the Argentinian daily La Nacion last April 23.

If it happens, it will be the first time Pope Francis will visit the country of his birth since he was appointed as pope by the College of Cardinals in 2013. The pontiff has yet to return home for a decade.

Pope Francis Has Been Planning Argentina Trip Since 2017

Pope Francis has remained popular in Argentina despite not returning for a decade. However, he has not revealed any details about his planned trip. He did admit that he has been planning this since 2017.

The Associated Press reported that the timing of the 2024 visit avoids any political undertones as it would happen after this year's presidential elections in Argentina.

A new president is expected to be sworn in in December following elections in October, with current Argentina President Alberto Fernandez saying he would not seek re-election.

Argentinians have been clamoring for the pope's return, with several politicians calling for him to come back for a visit. Several politicians, including the president, Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, and Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, have all asked the former Buenos Aires cardinal to visit during his decade anniversary as pope.

Politics has been highly polarized in Argentina nowadays, especially as the election looms. Analysts have said Pope Francis has been trying to postpone his Argentina visit to make sure either side of the political divide will not use his presence.

As for his plans back in 2017, Pope Francis noted that he originally planned not just to visit his home country but also Chile and Uruguay. However, he said that then-Chilean President Michelle Bachelet asked him to postpone the trip until after the presidential elections in November.

The pope did end up visiting Chile and Peru and postponing his Uruguay trip. However, he has been holding off on his visit to Argentina.

Pope Francis Recently Presided First Meeting of the New Council Of Cardinals

Pope Francis recently presided over the first meeting of the new Council of Cardinals, which was renewed last month. According to the CNA, it was a body tasked with assisting him in the governance of the Universal Church.

Pope Francis established it himself, and it includes nine prominent archbishops from around the world.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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