Why Pope Francis continues to refuse to come to Argentina – 05/02/2019

The delay taken by Pope Francis in carrying out his visit to the country is now attributable to the political polarization – the "crack", if you prefer, which divides a good part of the Argentines. Not the cold relations with Mauricio Macri and, especially, with a sector of the government led by the powerful Chief of Staff, Marcos Peña. In fact, Casa Rosada started a few weeks ago an approach with the Church at the time of the economic crisis and growing pre-election tensions. Therefore, this is also not due to the supposed hope of a possible victory in the presidential election of Peronism – which is attributed to the sympathy of the pontiff – n & # 39; is both in its "rational" variant that Kirchner

This reading is clearly out after the meeting of about thirty Argentine bishops with Francisco, as part of the traditional "ad limina" visit that every prelate in the world has to do to the pontiff. It is not a coincidence that, according to many of those present, the Pope reiterated his desire to visit his country and he expressed his concern about the "polarization" that is the target of criticism. Beyond these years, there were actions that provoked heated controversy and that its beneficiaries exploited politically. Or situations that, according to his relatives, have never occurred, since he was "thrown" from the Plaza de San Pedro in April 2013 to Margarita Barrientos.

Added to this is the negative effect on Francisco's figure, the role of leaders such as Juan Grabois, who recently embraced Christianity fervently, as many consider him his "spokesperson" in the country. In fact, during the meeting, a bishop explained the situation to him and Francisco said that it is only people who sometimes speak to him or who attend meetings at the Vatican, but who are not by no means his spokespersons. "They," said the bishop closest to him, Víctor Fernández, also present. they try to interpret in their own way things that they listen tobut it works alone because his only spokesman is the Vatican Press Room. "

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However, we must not forget that Francisco does not consider polarization as the only cause that prevents him from visiting his country. The Vatican Secretariat of State, one of the world's best-informed bodies, has been discouraging travel for some time. Perhaps he is afraid that his speeches and greetings with the leaders during his possible stay end up throwing endless controversies over preferences or political issues. Not to mention the possibility of calls for tenders in mergers between the political and social sectors or even some occasional events that end up spoiling the trip.

During the meeting, it became clear that, as if that were not enough, political tensions were added to the tension that triggered the debate on the legalization of abortion. The Church – beyond the ultraconservative groups – has been much questioned by the feminist sectors. Even the most radically vandalized temples (not only Catholics, but evangelicals) and religious images all along the length and breadth of the country, recalled the bishops.

This is why Bishop Víctor Fernández considered that it is "very difficult" for the pope to visit the countryeven after the presidential elections, after which it is badumed that the waters should be appeased. In short, they conclude that, knowing Fernandez very well, Francisco would never walk on his native land if he unintentionally helped deepen the crack. Their greatest aspiration, they say, is to be a pledge of union in a torn country.

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