IN BUENOS AIRES 

Pope Francis, formerly Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, was born in the Flores neighbourhood. Learn about his life, his work and his many passions by taking one of BA’s free papal tours, by bus or on foot.

Should you be interested in attending a mass in one of the city’s churches, the following website has information on all parishes, addresses and mass times in the city:http://www.horariosdemisa.com.ar/english/index.html.

 

Flores Circuit by Bus  

This free bus tour starts at the Basílica San José de Flores where Pope Francis, known locally as Padre Jorge, embarked on his religious career at the age of 17. It offers visitors a peek into the house where he was born, places where he studied, taught, worshipped and officiated, and colourful stories about his humble character, his passion for San Lorenzo football club, and above all his religious teachings and devotion to the poor.   

 

Visitors will pass by the Instituto Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia, the Escuela de Jornada Simple N°8 D.E.11 “Cnel.Ing.Pedro Antonio Cerviño” and the E.N.E.T. N°27 “Hipólito Yrigoyen” where he studied, the Vicaría de Flores where he was ordained as bishop in 1992, the Cárcel de Devoto prison where he worked, and the Seminario Metropolitano de Buenos Aires where he decided to become a Jesuit.

 

After visiting the neighbourhood and prison of Villa Devoto, the tour heads back to the centre, to San Nicolás and the Plaza Estado del Vaticano and Catedral Metropolitana (Plaza de Mayo), where for more than 20 years Jorge Bergoglio resided and officiated mass. Visitors will also pass the Iglesia y Colegio del Salvador, where he was Professor of Literature & Psychology in the 1960s, the Universidad del Salvador, another Jesuit institution he ran until 1975, and a number of Jesuit churches, such as the Iglesia Regina Martyrum, the Iglesia de San Ignacio de Loyola and the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco.

 

Heading back to his native Flores neighbourhood, the tour passes the Basílica de San Carlos y María Auxiliadora where he was baptized in 1936, and the stadium of the Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, the football club the Pope follows passionately.

 

More detailed information in Spanish on specific aspects of the tour can be found here and a map of the tour can be found.  

 

• Days & Times: February – December. Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays at 3pm.

• Duration: Approximately 3 hours

• Cost: Free

• Point of departure: Basílica San José de Flores, Av. Rivadavia 6950

 

Places are limited. To register for a tour, please email circuitopapal@buenosaires.gob.ar. You can also call 4114 5791 for more information. While the tour is given in Spanish, there are leaflets in English available giving information on all the sites visited. Please note: tours go ahead even if it’s raining!  

 

Montserrat Walking Tour  

This weekly guided walking tour passes by several highlights in the life of Pope Francis, including the Cathedral Metropolitana, the barber’s shop (Peluquería Romano) in Pasaje Roverano that Padre Jorge frequented for many many years, and the Iglesia San Ignacio de Loyola, the oldest church in the city.

 

• Days & Times: Tuesdays at 3pm.

• Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours

• Cost: Free

• Point of departure: Basílica San José de Flores, Av. Rivadavia 6950

 

Registration is not needed. Tours are suspended if it’s raining.

 

Flores Walking Tour  

This walking tour passes by the famous Basilica de San José de Flores and a number of local hangouts of the young Jorge Bergoglio: the street where he was born, his first schools and plazas where he played as a child.  

 

• Days & Times: February – December. Thursdays at 3pm.

• Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours

• Cost: Free

• Point of departure: Basílica San José de Flores, Av. Rivadavia 6950

 

Registration is not needed. Tours are suspended if it’s raining.

Learn more about all guided tours offered by the City here on our Spanish site.