WORLD NEWS | Pope Francis wants to visit mainland Argentina next year

BUENOS AIRES, April 25 (AP) – Pope Francis said he hopes to travel to his native Argentina in 2024, which will be the first time he has set foot there since becoming pope a decade ago.

“Next year I want to go to the country,” the pope said in an interview with a columnist for the Argentine newspaper La Nación published on Sunday.

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The 86-year-old pope gave no further details about a possible trip, which has been the subject of much speculation in his home country.

Spokespeople for the Argentine Catholic Church and government had no comment on the pope’s remarks.

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The visit appeared to be timed to avoid any political overtones.

The new president will be sworn in in December, following elections in October that will select a successor to President Alberto Fernandez, who last week said he would not run.

In March, some of Argentina’s most prominent political leaders from across the political spectrum called on the pontiff to visit his homeland, marking the tenth year of Francis’ papacy.

Signatories including Fernández, Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodriguez La Reta wrote: “While we desire and look forward to your visit, but we trust that your wisdom will agree and finally agree.”

In a conversation with La Nación, the pope reiterated his appeal to Argentines not to associate him with local politics.

In recent interviews with various media outlets, Francis said he did not want to be associated with any political party in the polarized South American country.

Analysts have often said the pope has been delaying visits to his home country to ensure his presence is not exploited by either side of the political divide.

The pope has repeatedly said he planned to visit Chile, Argentina and Uruguay in 2017, but then-President Michelle Bachelet asked him to postpone the trip until after November’s presidential elections.

Pope Francis then decided to visit only Chile and Peru, leaving Argentina and neighboring Uruguay for future appointments. (Associated Press)

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