The hunger to learn more about the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now and forever known as Pope Francis, is gripping the Argentinian capital. Mauricio Macri, head of the municipal government of Buenos Aires, announced that he is launching a ´Pope tour´ set to include a number of places linked to Pope Francis who is a native of the city and was for a long time it´s Archbishop.
Papa Francisco was baptized in the church of María Auxiliadora, took his first communion in the College of Our Lady of Mercy and studied in the Devoto seminary, all places to be included on the tour alongside the city´s Cathedral, where for fourteen years he performed as Archbishop and Primal Cardinal of Buenos Aires.
A lot of the tour will also take place in the neighborhood of Flores, where Pope Francis was born and grew up. Tourists will be able to visit the house in which he was born on December 17th 1936, as well as a stop at 531 Membrillar street, the house where he grew up.
“There are certain spots that cannot be missed!” declares Alfredo Adriani, head of the city’s religious affairs department. “Around the world, people are curious to know more details about this Argentine pastor,” notes Adriani. “People are especially curious to know how his pastoral life developed.”
It has still not been confirmed when the Buenos Aires ´Pope tour´ will begin, as the government is deciding whether to employ guides to run the tour or simply make brochures detailing all of the relevant locations and information.
“An estimated 23% of worldwide travelers are interested in visiting religious sites or sanctuaries,” declares Hernán Lombardi, head of tourism for Buenos Aires. “The new Pope being from here will give one more reason for people to visit Buenos Aires and Argentina. It is a huge stimulus to attract tourists from all around the world.”
