Vatican Press Secretary, Fr Tom Rosica, said the accusations must be "firmly and clearly denied" (Photo shows Pope supporters in St Peter's Square)
Vatican Denies Dirty War Allegations Against Pope -- BBC
The Vatican has denied that Pope Francis failed to speak out against human rights abuses during military rule in his native Argentina.
"There has never been a credible, concrete accusation against him," said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, adding he had never been charged.
The spokesman blamed the accusations on "anti-clerical left-wing elements that are used to attack the Church".
Jorge Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, led Argentina's Jesuits under the junta.
Correspondents say that like other Latin American churchmen of the time, he had to contend, on the one hand, with a repressive right-wing regime and, on the other, a wing of his Church leaning towards political activism on the left.
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More News On The Vatican Hitting Back At Claims That The Pope Stayed Silent During Argentina's Dirty War
Vatican hits back at claims pope stayed silent during Dirty War -- The Telegraph
Vatican defends Pope Francis against Argentina ‘dirty war’ allegations -- Washington Post
Vatican denies claim that Pope Francis failed to protect Argentina priests -- CNN
Vatican denies Pope ‘Dirty War’ claims -- Financial Times
Vatican lashes out at ‘anti-clerical left-wing’ campaign against pope over Argentina’s ‘dirty war’ actions -- Toronto Star/AP
Pope Francis’s defense against the worst allegation about his role in the dirty war -- Max Fisher, Washington Post
Were Pope Francis' Hands Clean During Argentina's "Dirty War"? -- Abby Ohlheiser, Slate