Latin America Just Lost Two Homegrown Giants
Pope Francis and Mario Vargas Llosa were unique voices that transcended frontiers. Their deaths offer a sharp reminder of the region's global leadership deficit.
A huge loss for Latin America and the world.
Photographers: Giulio Origlia/Getty Images; Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images.
Latin America lost two giants in the span of little more than a week: Pope Francis and Nobel-winning author Mario Vargas Llosa were crucial in shaping the region’s cultural identity, one as a leader of faith who shook the Catholic Church and the other as a masterful chronicler of Latin American life. They were influential voices that transcended frontiers, to the point of becoming two of the finest figures that the region has produced.
As Latin America endures intense polarization, their deaths offer a sharp reminder of its current leadership deficit on the global stage. Francis and Vargas Llosa, even with their at times opposing views, rose above ephemeral political passions, a rare ability in these days. As with most historical figures, they were also the source of controversy, even contempt, because not even geniuses are infallible. But their invaluable legacy has been to spread universal values while still reminding the world of Latin America’s cultural and spiritual richness and relevance.