Pope Francis affirmed that he feels "close" to Argentina and assured that it is "unfair" to say that he does not want to visit his native country.

The possibility of a visit to the South American nation still remains, the pontiff revealed.

"In Argentina I lived 76 years. But I am not far away, I feel close. I am always in contact with many compatriot friends," Francis said.

The revelations are part of a book that reviews the first decade of the Argentine at the head of the Vatican, which will be marked next March 13.

According to what emerges from that work, called "The Pastor", the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Bergoglio was close to visiting Argentina, Chile and Uruguay in 2017.

But the trip was suspended because it coincided with the elections in Chile.