Francis never gave an explicit answer for not returning as pontiff to his native country, but some experts say he worried about having his presence used for political purposes.

A woman holds a photo of the late Pope Francis during an inter-religious Mass in honor of the late pontiff at the Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) A woman cries during an inter-religious Mass in honor of the late Pope Francis at the Cathedral in Buenos Aires,

Vatican insiders and interlocutors said the pontiff wanted to avoid getting swept up in the polarizing politics that characterized his country.