Argentina-born Pope Francis, who died on Monday, is being honoured at his local hometown soccer club in Buenos Aires, San Lorenzo de Almagro, where the football-loving head of the Roman Catholic Church remained a member during his 12-year papacy.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires, never set foot in his homeland after becoming Pope Francis in 2013. That left many of the faithful in Argentina feeling puzzled and snubbed by the world’s first Latin American pope.

Though Pope Francis never returned to Argentina after becoming the head of the Roman Catholic Church, mourners in his homeland still gathered nationwide to honor him.

People stand in front of candles for the late Pope Francis on the grand staircase of the Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) People gather for the late Pope Francis outside the Cathedral in Buenos Aires,

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.