But the most astonishing public figure and intellectual is the Nobel Prize laureate from Argentina, Adolfo Perez Esquivel.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The Gaza Crisis and the Intellectual Left in Latin America

Bergoglio denies the accusations, and his supporters, including Argentinean Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Perez Esquivel say they are not true.

CNN: Argentina a complex crucible for Pope

Adolfo Perez Esquivel, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for defending human rights during the dictatorship, believes Fr Bergoglio "tried to... help where he could" under the junta.

BBC: Vatican denies Dirty War allegations against Pope