(Image Source: The Guardian ) BY CHRISTIAN BRYANT As the world focuses its lens on the new leader of the Catholic Church — Pope Francis — many questions arise about the Pontiff and his relation to the so-called Argentine “dirty war.” Sources have painted the picture of a humble man just recently known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, since the beginning of his papacy on Wednesday. (Via The Telegraph ) But as people learn more about Bergoglio, allegations resurface about the new Pontiff’s action — or inaction — to stop Argentina’s military junta from committing crimes against left-wing dissidents in the 70s and 80s. Some allege “[Bergoglio] and other church leaders at the time supported a murderous dictatorship that hunted down those it considered ‘leftist’...  imprisoning them... interrogating, torturing and finally murdering them.” (Via The Independent ) As TIME reports, since his anointing by Pope John Paul II in 2000, “ Bergoglio has had to contend with repeated allegations... that he did not speak out publicly about the thousands of... the disappeared who vanished without a trace...” The Catholic Church of Argentina made a public apology in 2000 for not taking a stand against the military generals. But sources say a more specific charge against Francis threatens to cast a shadow over his papacy and his reputation. A writer for The Washington Post points to noted Argentine journalist Horacio Verbitsky who says in his 2010 book, “ Bergoglio, then a Jesuit leader, lifted church protection from two leftist priests of his order, effectively allowing them to be jailed for refusing to end their politically charged ministry in the Buenos Aires slums.” Bergoglio’s supporters, and the Pope himself, have said, the exact opposite... Jimmy Burns: “He claims, in his own defense, indeed, and his friends and independent journalists I know in Argentina sustain he did what he could to defend Jesuit priests...” (Via Sky News ) The Globe and Mail reports the accusations resulted in a lawsuit against Bergoglio in 2005. The lawsuit was later dismissed and then-Cardinal Bergoglio called the lawsuit “old slander.” The Guardian reports the issue won’t be going away anytime soon, considering high-profile trials are still taking place. Nearly 30,000 dissidents reportedly disappeared in Argentina between 1976 and 1983.