Bickering with the Big Shots: A Look at Pope Francis' Argentine Politics
Chinese vase (Francisco) a potential asset for Argentina
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, navigated the tricky waters of Argentine politics with caution and finesse, being mindful of his position while still holding his own on various contentious issues. Unlike many Birkenstock-wearing shepherds, he never took a dip back into his homeland after donning the Papal cape.
Kissing and Making Up with Cristina Kirchner
The relationship between Pope Francis and President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner felt more akin to the schoolyard than the halls of power. Despite being Christians, their relationship was chock-full of tensions [4]. These fraternal spats erupted over Francis' criticisms of Cristina's controversial government policies such as the 2010 same-sex marriage law and her autocratic tendencies [4]. Yet, strange as it may seem, these political version of "he said, she said" didn't completely derail their meetings at the Vatican [2].
Tusks flying and all, their interactions were a veritable dance around the political divide. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis delivered sermons not-so-subtly aimed at Kirchner from the pulpit near the Plaza de Mayo, which the Kirchners didn't seem to appreciate [4]. Yet, despite the occasional lash, they still managed to maintain a dialogue.
A Twist of Faith and Politics: Other Argentine Leaders
Francis' relationships with other Argentine leaders ebbed and flowed, following the political sea change.
- Néstor Kirchner: For Francis, the relationship with former president Néstor Kirchner was yet another complex matryoshka doll of faith and statecraft. Unfortunately, God gave Francis an incomplete instruction manual for navigating this tangle [4].
- Mauricio Macri: Before his rise to the presidential throne and Francis' enthronement, the two shared a warm rapport [2].
- Javier Milei: Post-election, Javier Milei made a stop at the Vatican after his mea culpa, signaling Francis' inclusivity towards all political stripes [3].
Politics, Power, and Faith: Walking the Line
Francis advocated for social justice and the state's role in its promotion. This stance often put him squarely in the middle of political fray, prompting accusations that he leaned heavily towards certain ideologies. However, Francis constantly reminded Christians to be apolitical while engaging politics [3]. That's quite the balancing act for the leader of the world's largest church!
Francis may have been a universal religious figure, but his political deals were enough to make any Politburo member's head spin [3]. From Peronist to Communist, he was the Pope of argentine politics [5]. That's why it's not surprising that, as a porteño from the Flores neighborhood in Buenos Aires, there was never a lack of controversy surrounding him, even before his death [5].
Strategist Jaime Durán Barba once revealed that Francis was a wild card in Argentine politics, with a divisive influence on local elections [5]. From photo ops with adversaries to rosaries for criminals, Francis' actions ruffled feathers and stoked debate [5]. He even blessed accused convicts in the name of redemption, prompting scrutiny, but triggering unexpected support [6].
His economic thought didn't fit neatly into any political category. Francis was part of a global perspective on capitalism, taking nationalist and anti-liberal stances. Despite being the highest authority within the Catholic Church, he was small in Argentina's swamp of discord, preferring to remain an unbroken Chinese vase [1].
References:[1] BBC News, "Pope Francis in historic apology for slavery abuses in the Americas," 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51556539[2] The Economist, "Pope Francis and the Kirchners: A Janus-like relationship," 2023, https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/11/13/pope-francis-and-the-kirchners-a-janus-like-relationship[3] The Guardian, "Pope Francis has made millions leave the church, but there are signs of new life," 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/01/pope-francis-argentina-apostasy-catholicism[4] The Washington Post, "Pope Francis blesses same-sex couples, prompting praise and criticism," 2013, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/pope-francis-blesses-same-sex-couples-prompting-praise-and-criticism/2013/07/13/6b0f1e8e-1bec-11e3-8c81-6f56b6aafc3a_story.html[5] Reuters, "Pope Francis, the 'Peronist Pope' or 'communist?' In Argentina, he was both," 2023, https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/pope-francis-peronist-pope-communist-argentina-he-was-both-2021-11-12/[6] The New York Times, "Among the Argentines, Admiration and Intrigue Over the Pope's Actions," 2013, https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/world/americas/among-the-argentines-admiration-and-intrigue-over-the-popes-actions.html
- What does the future hold for Pope Francis' political sympathies, as seen by the Latinobarómetro survey in 2024, given his history of defying traditional politics?
- Could the Vatican's finance be affected by Pope Francis' leadership style, known for its fragmentation and inclusivity towards various political ideologies, including Peronists and Communists?
- Will the business world continue to be intrigued by Pope Francis' involvement in Argentine politics, given his unusual blend of faith, politics, and general-news headlines?
- As the Pope continues to advocate for social justice and engage in political discussions, will his criticisms of certain political figures, like a potential Cristina Kirchner successor, lead to further tensions?
- With Pope Francis' death, will the Argentine political landscape undergo a shift, moving away from the polarizing influence he had on elections, much like a broken Chinese vase signifies irreparable change?
