By Jonathan Watts and Uki Goni in Buenos Aires

Friday 15 March 2013 08.17 GMT

Accusers draw ties between Catholic church and 70s junta, saying Jorge Bergoglio failed to shield two priests

Pope Francis is known in his native Argentina as a man of austere habits, long pregnant pauses in conversation and a reticence about discussing himself.

For supporters, this is proof of his humility, which was further underlined for them in his first address as pope to the masses in St Peter’s Square, where he eschewed the usual jewelled crucifix in favour of a simple wooden cross.

For critics, however – and there are many in his home country – it may have more to do with allegations that he and the Roman Catholic church were guilty of the sin of omission – and perhaps worse – during the brutal military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983.

Source: The Guardian