When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

CLARIN

Buenos Aires Plans 'Bergoglio Tour' - Holy Sites, Soccer Pitches Of Pope's Past

Young Bergoglio and Buenos Aires' Church of María Auxiliadora where he was baptized
Young Bergoglio and Buenos Aires' Church of María Auxiliadora where he was baptized
Nora Sánchez

BUENOS AIRES - The hunger to learn more about the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now and forever known as Pope Francis, is gripping the Argentinian capital.

Just back from a meeting with the new pontiff in Rome, Mauricio Macri, head of the municipal government of Buenos Aires, announced that he will launch a “pope tour," which will include an itinerary of places linked to Bergoglio, a native of the city and its longtime Archbishop.

There is still no official announcement regarding when the pope tours will begin, as the government decides whether it will hire guides or simply give out brochures that include the information of the tour.

“There are certain spots that cannot be missed!" declares Alfredo Adriani, who heads the city's religious affairs department.

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. Moreover, the tour will include the Cathedral, where during 14 years he served as archbishop and Primal Cardinal of Buenos Aires. And of course, the house where he was born on December 17, 1936. "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.”

A large part of the pope tour will take place in the neighborhood of Flores, where he was born and grew up. A mandatory stop will be in 531 Membrillar street, the house where he grew up. We will also visit the Herminia Brumana Plaza on Membrillar and Francisco Bilbao streets, where he played soccer with friends. Also on the tour, The Basilica San José de Flores, where Bergoglio discovered his religious vocation.

“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.”

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Economy

Globalization Takes A New Turn, Away From China

China is still a manufacturing juggernaut and a growing power, but companies are looking for alternatives as Chinese labor costs continue to rise — as do geopolitical tensions with Beijing.

Photo of a woman working at a motorbike factory in China's Yunnan Province.

A woman works at a motorbike factory in China's Yunnan Province.

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — What were the representatives of dozens of large American companies doing in Vietnam these past few days?

A few days earlier, a delegation of foreign company chiefs currently based in China were being welcomed by business and government leaders in Mexico.

Then there was Foxconn, Apple's Taiwanese subcontractor, which signed an investment deal in the Indian state of Telangana, enabling the creation of 100,000 jobs. You read that right: 100,000 jobs.

What these three examples have in common is the frantic search for production sites — other than China!

For the past quarter century, China has borne the crown of the "world's factory," manufacturing the parts and products that the rest of the planet needs. Billionaire Jack Ma's Alibaba.com platform is based on this principle: if you are a manufacturer and you are looking for cheap ball bearings, or if you are looking for the cheapest way to produce socks or computers, Alibaba will provide you with a solution among the jungle of factories in Shenzhen or Dongguan, in southern China.

All of this is still not over, but the ebb is well underway.

Keep reading...Show less

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

The latest