In Buenos Aires, the local community mourned the passing of Pope Francis, who died at age 88 on Easter Monday. The faithful congregated in the prominent church where he discovered his spirituality as a teenager, and attended the cathedral that hosted his archbishop speeches. He was fondly remembered as the “slum bishop,” particularly in the poorer neighbourhoods where he made significant contributions to social justice.
Pope Francis sparked debate among Argentinians during his tenure, serving as both a profound moral compass and a controversial figure. While many admired his commitment to social issues, conservative critics accused him of favouring leftist ideologies, primarily due to his cordial relationships with figures like former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, whose policies some blame for the country’s economic downturn. In contrast, his interactions with centre-right former President Mauricio Macri were far more strained.
As crowds gathered to grieve, many expressed their feelings of loss and admiration, seeing him as somewhat of a rebel who embodied complexities that resonated among the locals. Archbishop Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva lamented the loss of “the pope of the poor, of the marginalised,” acknowledging that Francs’s approach was not always understood but was deeply impactful.
Despite his global travels, Francis notably never returned to Argentina following his papal election in 2013, a choice perceived as a response to the country’s politically charged environment. His relationship with President Javier Milei, initially fraught, seemed to improve during a reconciliatory meeting last year. However, tensions resurfaced, particularly when the President faced protests over pension reforms, which prompted Francis to speak out against police violence at these events.
Francis’s legacy shines in the hardscrabble communities he served as archbishop, where many priests continue to support the underprivileged. His influence is palpably felt in places like Villa 21-24, where he regularly visited to share traditional food and engage with residents.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, where Kirchner referred to him as “the face of a more humane church,” and Macri acknowledged his merits as a “good pastor.” As many paid their respects at the cathedral, they left flowers and tributes, reflecting on a leader whose compassion resonated beyond the church’s walls and into the hearts of Argentine society.
The emotional farewell brought together a diverse range of mourners, from those in affluent areas to the underprivileged, all sharing stories of how Francis touched their lives, reinforcing his enduring legacy as a figure of humility and profound social dedication.