When Pope Francis visits Paraguay this weekend to close out his first trip to Latin America, it will mark only the second time a pontiff has visited this landlocked country mostly known for tenacious soccer and a long history of brutal dictatorships. The soccer endures, but dictatorship is no more: After nearly two centuries of authoritarian rule, Paraguay became a democracy in 1989 just after a visit by Pope John Paul II.
That was not a coincidence. And for Pope Francis, beloved as he may be, it will be a tough act to follow.
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