Pope Francis hopes to visit his native Argentina for the first time since becoming pontiff

(Patria) - Pope Francis said on Sunday that, if he can, he will visit his native Argentina in the second half of 2024, for the first time in his nearly eleven-year pontificate while his compatriots Argentines suffer due to the country's economic situation, AP reported.

Francis has not visited his homeland since being elected pope in 2013. In an interview on a private Italian TV channel, Francis said he is concerned about the people of Argentina because "they suffer a lot," an apparent reference to the country's devastated economy.

From his residence in the Vatican, Francis (87) said on the show "Che Tempo Che Fa" that he plans to visit Polynesia in August and that after that, a trip to Argentina will follow this year. At the end of last year, Francis said that the new president of Argentina, Javier Milei, had invited him. During the election campaign of the new Argentine president, Milei, a self-proclaimed "anarcho-capitalist," called Francis an "imbecile" for defending social justice. The Pope, who had a long conversation with Milei after he won, said he had forgiven him for his campaign rhetoric.

Asked if he would go to Argentina and if he was worried about Argentines, Francis replied: "Yes, I worry because people suffer so much. This is a difficult time for the country."

"The possibility of a trip (to Argentina) in the second half of the year is planned," Francis said, noting that the timeframe takes into account that the country has a new government.

"I would like to go," the Pope added, referring to "ten years" since his absence.

With Argentina's annual inflation rate exceeding 200%, Milei has pledged to reduce government regulations and payrolls and allow the privatization of state-owned industries as a way to boost exports and investment. This has already caused protests, but Milei has promised to continue.