“Do you want to go through the path of Jorge Bergoglio before becoming Pope Francis? This tour will allow you to know what the life of the ‘end of the world’ in Buenos Aires.”
Thus one of the guided tours about the life and work of Pope Francis In Buenos Aires, once companies in the sector and guides observe a growth in the demand for tourist experiences linked to their history and legacy.
From thematic tours of the main places in the city of Buenos Aires where he was born and lived the years of his childhood, to some visits guided by the Vatican, more and more travelers are looking for Follow the steps of the first non -European Pope and maximum reference of the Catholic Church.
In this context, the company Civitatis – which offers guided tours and spanish excursions worldwide – realized about A significant increase in tours reserves dedicated to the life of the Pontiff, both in Argentina and in Italy.
“The rise of religious tourism promoted by Pope Francis demonstrates that his legacy will remain in force and will continue to inspire people around the world,” said Nicolás Posse, Country Manager of Civitatis Argentina and Business Development for Chile & Uruguay.
And he stressed: “Thematic trips are a rising trendand the experiences focused on the figure of the Holy Father combine history, spirituality and social commitment, generating a significant impact on those who perform them. ”
This trend had been observed in recent months, since their health problems began until the date of his death on April 21: “The tour of Pope Francis for Buenos Aires offered by the platform increased more than 30%,” said Posse.
In addition, “there was an increase in reservations in all experiences related to the Vatican’s papal headquarters and its surroundings, which shows that its influence transcends the religious sphere and has become a motive for travel for both believers and for those who value their trajectory and teachings.”
The routes
Among the tours linked to the most wanted Pontiff through the civitatis platform, they stand out:
- Tour on the origins of Pope Francis (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
This experience allows Follow Bergoglio’s steps before becoming a popeaccompanied by an expert guide in his life and work.
The circuit begins at 10 in the morning in the Flores neighborhoodhis place of birth and where he lived his first years with his parents and four brothers.
There, the visit to the buildings where he took the first sacraments that aroused his religious vocation, the places he frequented in his youth, the origin of his passion for football at the San Lorenzo de Almagro Athletic Club and the Church of San Francisco de Asíswhere he met the Franciscan order from which he chose his papal name.
After going to San José de Flores Basilica, in which he decided to consecrate his life to God at age 17, the last stop is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aireswhere thousands of people gathered to wait for the results of the conclave in which he was chosen successor of Pope Benedict XVI.
The tour ends around 1 pm in Plaza de Mayo. This tour includes transport and bilingual guide.
- Guided tour of the pontificate headquarters (Vatican)
The Vatican is the headquarters of the Catholic Church and was the home of Pope Francis since 2013.
It is one of the most demanded religious tours of the moment, contemplating the guided tour of the Basilica of San Pedro, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
These guided tours offer preferential access to museums that house the largest art collection of the Church, including sculptures, paintings and other works from different eras, as well as to the Plaza and Basilica of San Pedro and the Sistine Chapel to appreciate the frescoes of Miguel Ángel.
Among other emblematic sites are maps galleries, candlesticks and rugs, the patio of pineapple and Rafael’s rooms and Borgia apartments.
During this year, for the jubilee, there is also the possibility of entering through the Holy Gate.
- Visit to the Basilica of San Francisco (Assis, Italy)
The Pope chose Francisco’s name in honor of San Francisco de Asís, the Holy of Poverty and Humility.
In this medieval city, travelers can tour the Basilica of San Francisco de Asís where the remains of the saint rest and has been a pilgrimage point for the Pope.
They can also choose to make the Franciscan path, a tour of landscapes and monasteries related to Franciscan spirituality.
- Free tour del Papa Francisco (City of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
This circuit proposes to explore the places that influenced the path of Jorge Bergoglio as a priest and archbishop, from iconic temples to corners full of anecdotes about his life in Buenos Aires.
The meeting point is at the entrance of the San Francisco Basilicathat not only inspired the papal name, but it was also a key place in its spiritual formation.
Near the Church will talk about the figure of San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, the order to which Pope Francis belongs.
“We will continue the tour to a curious and meaning point: the newspaper in the corner of Hipólito Yrigoyen and Bolívar. Here, the Pope bought the newspaper daily, reflecting his interest in the social reality of Argentina. Then, we will go to the Roverano passage, where the Roman hairdresser is located. Did you know that Bergoglio used to cut his hair there? Archbishop of Buenos Aires, “explain the organizers of the Tour de Civitatis.
The next high will be La Piedad confectionery, a Buenos Aires classic where Pope Francis met with his friends and colleagues, before continuing at the Cabildo Bar in Buenos Aires, another of the places frequented by Bergoglio. In this traditional coffee, we will talk about its years in the city and its commitment to the most vulnerable sectors.
The next stop will be the archbishopric of Buenos Aires, where the Pope performed his pastoral work before being chosen Supreme Pontiff.
Finally, the Metropolitan Cathedral will arrive, one of the most emblematic points of the tour: in this temple, Pope Francis celebrated numerous masses and left an indelible mark on the history of the city.
After 1 hour and 45 minutes of travel, the Free Tour will end with a clearer image of Bergoglio’s life before becoming the leader of the Catholic Church.
The activity is carried out with a Spanish guide. There are no reservations for groups of more than 6 people, even if they are made in different reservations, so the platform recommends that numerous groups choose the tour of Pope Francis for Buenos Aires.