Buenos Aires archbishop calls to end political hostility in homage to Pope Francis

Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva called on politicians to end hostilities and stop seeing each other as “enemies,” as part of his homily during a special mass to commemorate Argentine Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his death. Speaking to the faithful and several politicians who attended the mass, García Cuerva said Argentina “more than ever needs the culture of coming together the pope talked about so much.” “When are we finally going to stop treating each other like enemies just because we think differently? We can’t even sit on the same pew in church,” he questioned, seemingly referring to tensions that rose between Vice President Victoria Villarruel and other members of the national government at another mass in honor of Francis in Luján earlier that day. García Cuerva led a mass on Tuesday night at the Basilica of San José de Flores, a church located in the neighborhood where Francis grew up and considered the place where he decided he would become a priest. Attending were politicians from varied sectors of the political spectrum, including Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri and Deputy Mayor Clara Muzzio, as well as Guillermo Francos, who was chief of staff during part of President Javier Milei’s government; Peronist city lawmaker Leandro Santoro; and ex governor of Santa Cruz Alicia Kirchner. “We all need to learn that the other person isn’t the enemy, and that if we say certain things to one another, we’re enabling that to happen,” García Cuerva said. A call to protect the vulnerable The archbishop also called to help those in need, especially “the poorest and the most fragile.” The demand comes amid Milei’s refusal to comply with a law that grants funding for people with disabilities and recent news that over 53% of children are poor, according to a study by the social observatory of the Argentine Catholic University (UCA, by its Spanish initials). “There are many brothers and sisters who need our care — our children, our elders, people with disabilities, and anyone else who is struggling. That’s not politics, it’s pure gospel.” García Cuerva also rejected the ongoing wars and added that “there will be no peace without sharing and welcoming” others, and “without a justice that ensures equity for all, starting with the weak.” “As long as alliances are formed against certain people, there can be no peace,” the archbishop stated. “Peace does not require winners or losers, but brothers and sisters who, despite past misunderstandings and wounds, move from conflict toward humanity.” Homages and political tension Numerous masses and activities were held on Tuesday to pay respects to Pope Francis. The main event was a mass at the Basilica of Luján to which President Milei was invited. However, he was not able to attend as he was in Israel. Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni attended the mass in Luján representing the national government, along with a group of ministers and Congress authorities. Adorni has been under fire in recent weeks as he is being investigated for alleged illicit enrichment. Also present were high-profile members of Peronism such as Buenos Aires province Governor Axel Kicillof and senator Eduardo Wado De Pedro. Vice President Victoria Villarruel — who was acting as head of state given Milei was away from the country — was also expected to attend the Luján homily. However, she ended up going to a mass at another church in Buenos Aires City, and told the press she decided to do so because the mass in Luján had been politically distorted.  “The ceremony had an intent, which was remembering the pope. But it was a ceremony in which the worst of the political caste was present,” Villarruel said, using a phrase frequently used by Milei during his presidential campaign. “I am a catholic, I come to mass and want to be amongst my fellow countrymen.” Villarruel and Milei have been under tension almost since the start of their administration, which delved into a public feud in the past year.