- Feb 5, 2002
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The latest controversy involving bishops the Holy Father has appointed in his native country may have permanently scuttled the chances of ever making a papal trip home.
Pope Francis is having serious trouble with the appointment of bishops in his native Argentina.
It is quite likely that the latest calamity will kill off whatever slim chance existed of a papal visit home later this year. It was the disastrous papal visit to Chile in 2018, plagued by controversy over troublesome episcopal appointments, that led the Holy Father to cease visiting South America.
On Monday, Archbishop Gabriel Antonio Mestre resigned as archbishop of La Plata. He is only 55 and had been the archbishop for less than nine months. Mestre had previously been bishop of the Diocese of Mar del Plata, appointed by Pope Francis in 2017. The similarity of diocesan names — Diocese of Mar del Plata, Archdiocese of La Plata — may cause confusion, but nomenclature is the least confusing part of this startling story.
Mestre’s resignation after only nine months in La Plata comes after two failed attempts to replace him in Mar del Plata since last September. First, though, the backstory.
Continued below.
www.ncregister.com
Pope Francis is having serious trouble with the appointment of bishops in his native Argentina.
It is quite likely that the latest calamity will kill off whatever slim chance existed of a papal visit home later this year. It was the disastrous papal visit to Chile in 2018, plagued by controversy over troublesome episcopal appointments, that led the Holy Father to cease visiting South America.
On Monday, Archbishop Gabriel Antonio Mestre resigned as archbishop of La Plata. He is only 55 and had been the archbishop for less than nine months. Mestre had previously been bishop of the Diocese of Mar del Plata, appointed by Pope Francis in 2017. The similarity of diocesan names — Diocese of Mar del Plata, Archdiocese of La Plata — may cause confusion, but nomenclature is the least confusing part of this startling story.
Mestre’s resignation after only nine months in La Plata comes after two failed attempts to replace him in Mar del Plata since last September. First, though, the backstory.
The Rise of Fernández
Continued below.

Francis Faces Another Mess in Argentina
The latest controversy involving bishops the Holy Father has appointed in his native country may have permanently scuttled the chances of ever making a papal trip home.