Argentines, having just celebrated Easter family gatherings around the parrilla barbecue, awoke on Monday to the heartbreaking news of Pope Francis’s passing at the age of 88 in the Vatican after a prolonged illness.
Born Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936 to Italian immigrant parents, Francis made history as the first pope from Latin America. While some in Argentina lamented that he never returned to his homeland as pontiff, he was widely recognized for his commitment to addressing poverty.
“It is with deep sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, who is now at peace,” wrote Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei on the social media platform X.
Milei, a vocal economist who champions free-market principles, had previously criticized the pope, labeling him a socialist and even referring to him as the devil’s representative on earth, although they reconciled after he took office.
The Argentine presidential office commended Pope Francis for his dedication to interfaith dialogue, fostering spirituality among youth, and advocating for budgetary reforms in the Vatican, aligning with Milei’s own austerity measures.
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“Despite our past differences, knowing him in his kindness and wisdom was a true privilege for me,” Milei continued on X. “I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand in solidarity with all who are mourning this loss today.”
In the early hours outside the Buenos Aires cathedral, many Argentines were just learning of the news as they headed to work. A mass in honor of Pope Francis was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. local time (11:30 GMT).
