Overview

• Unión por la Patria deputies have introduced a bill to designate April 21 as an immovable national holiday in honor of Pope Francis, who passed away on that date in 2025.
• The proposal highlights Francis’s transformative legacy as the first Latin American pope, emphasizing his advocacy for social justice, environmental stewardship, and Church reforms.
• Supporters argue the holiday would preserve the memory of Francis’s values of solidarity, peace, and inclusion, while critics raise concerns about adding to Argentina’s crowded holiday calendar.
• The bill has been formally presented to the Chamber of Deputies and awaits parliamentary debate, with no official stance yet from the Executive Branch.
• Public opinion remains divided, with some praising the tribute as fitting for a global figure and others questioning its economic and practical implications.