Pope Francis and Argentina’s ‘Dirty War’: Accusations which swirled during his election in 2013 Premium

Pope Francis' health critical, battling double pneumonia, facing accusations from Argentina's 'Dirty War' era, and political controversies.

Story so far: As Pope Francis’ health continues to be in a critical condition, the Vatican on Friday (February 28, 2025), informed that he suffered an isolated coughing fit that resulted in him inhaling vomit, requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation. The 88-year-old pope has been battling against double pneumonia and is being treated at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14. 

The Vatican added, “Doctors decided to keep Pope Francis’ prognosis as guarded and indicated they needed 24-48 hours to evaluate how and if the episode has impacted his overall clinical condition. However, he remained conscious and alert at all times and cooperated with the maneuvers to help him recover”. 

Devotees across the world have been praying for the Pope, whose twelve-year reign as the Head of Catholic Church has gained him followers even outside his religion. By being a vocal critic on gender inequality, immigration issues, rigidity against homosexuality and even ‘throwing open the heavens to atheists’, Pope Francis quickly attracted the moniker of being one of the most ‘liberal’ pope of the Catholic Church. 

However, his initial days after his election as the bishop of Rome in 2013, he was plagued by his actions during Argentina’s ‘Dirty War’ - a seven-year crackdown by the nation’s last military government on its opponents and civilians. 

Here a look at the accusations which plagued the Pope

As detailed in Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) declassified document, the military junta which had ousted President Isabel Peron in a coup tackled an ‘urban-based leftist insurgency’, killing between 10,000 and 30,000 people during its crackdown. After seizing power, the junta closed the national legislature, imposed censorship, banned trade unions, and brought state and municipal governments under military control. 

To suppress guerilla activities, the military administration also instituted the Process of National Reorganization – setting up over 300 secret prisons for detaining anyone suspected of being a dissident. Apart from insurgents, thousands of students, educators, trade unionists, writers, journalists, artists, left-wing activists, members of the clergy, and alleged sympathizers who were apprehended overnight, interrogated and often tortured in these prisons and many killed. While the crackdown initially had the public’s support, soon evidences of human rights violations came in the open, evoking opposition among citizens.