Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Argentine priest Carlos Múgica, Pope Francis honors his legacy of service to the poor and marginalized.
By Francesca Merlo
On 11 May 1974, Argentine priest Carlos Múgica, also known as the “Martyr of the Poor,” was tragically shot and killed after evening mass at the San Francisco Solano parish in the Villa Luro district of Buenos Aires.
He is remembered for his unwavering dedication to the impoverished. Pope Francis, among those celebrating his life on the 50th anniversary of his death, sent a heartfelt letter to mark the occasion.
Pope Francis’ Inspiring Words
During Mass at the conclusion of “Múgica Week” on 12 May in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis’s message, delivered by Archbishop Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva of Buenos Aires, greeted those gathered to commemorate this significant anniversary.
“In every Church celebration, an opportunity presents itself to renew the spirit of compassion and commitment towards those burdened with heavy crosses,” Pope Francis shared, urging all to continue standing in solidarity with the suffering. “Let us not be swayed by ideological influences or remain indifferent. Instead, let Father Carlos’ teachings inspire us to actively combat all forms of poverty.”
Pope Francis also encouraged the faithful to embrace unity, reject exclusion, and foster genuine reconciliation by recognizing and rectifying past mistakes.
Who was Carlos Múgica?
Carlos Múgica was a prominent member of the Priests for the Slums of Buenos Aires and the Movement of Priests for the Third World. Born on 7th October 1930 in Recoleta, he was the first priest to serve in the shantytown, later named after him in his honour.
Múgica’s advocacy mirrored the political activism prevalent in left-wing Peronist movements post the 1955 coup. His tragic death, a result of internal tensions within the movement, occurred outside the church he served 50 years ago, drawing a crowd of 20,000 at his funeral.
Múgica’s Connection with Pope Francis
Twenty-five years after his martyrdom, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, attended the Mass for Múgica and facilitated the transfer of the priest’s remains to the Cristo Obrero parish he established in Villa Retiro.
Despite limited personal interactions, Bergoglio fondly remembered Múgica, condemning the violence that led to his death and acknowledging the Church’s past shortcomings in taking a stand against such atrocities.
