Pope Francis has passed away.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell made the announcement: “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Argentine son of Italian immigrants, grew up to be the first Pope of the Americas. Born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio enjoyed a close relationship with his middle-class family. His hard-working parents raised him to be compassionate and instilled in Pope Francis a strong sense of social justice. Both contributed to his reign as pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Becoming a Jesuit
Bergoglio began his studies in chemical engineering and holds a degree in it. However, in 1958, he joined the Jesuits (the Society of Jesus) and studied philosophy and theology until his ordination in 1969. His Jesuit training strongly influenced not only his spirituality but also his social activism. Deeply humble, he spent his early years working with the poor and marginalized in the slums of Buenos Aires. His lived humbly and simply and dedicated his life to caring for the disenfranchised.
Prior to becoming Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, Bergoglio served as Auxiliary Bishop of the city. He continued his work with the poor and maintained a low-profile and humble lifestyle. He preferred public transportation and simple accommodations. While he had a progressive view on social issues, he had more conservative views on some doctrinal matters.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II named Bergoglio as a Cardinal of the Church.
Pope Francis
When Pope Benedict resigned in 2013, the College of Cardinals elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as the 266th pope. By choosing the name, Francis, he signaled a focus on humility and reform just as Francis of Assisi had.
Committed to a life of modesty and humility, he lived in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the papal apartments. His papacy emphasized compassion, particularly towards the marginalized, impoverished, and refugees.
Pope Francis brought greater attention to environmental issues, notably through his 2015 encyclical Laudato si’. In it, he stressed the importance of caring for the planet and addressing climate change. Addressing the Church’s sexual abuse crisis, he established procedures for accountability and transparency in dealing with the problems.
In his teachings, Pope Francis focused on mercy. He called for an end to harsh judgments and encouraged the faithful to reach out with love and understanding. In addition, he challenged the Church to be a voice for the poor. He had a more progressive stance on the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, angering more conservative members. “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” he said.
In the end, Pope Francis preached that:
“…trampling upon a person’s dignity is a serious sin.”
Francis’s papacy called for the Church to prioritize compassion and service over institutional power.
Thank you from many. We can only pray for what,s next.