By Rachel Huss, Managing Editor
As we have all heard, Pope Francis sadly passed away on April 21, 2025, at 88 years old. He overcame a poorly dealt hand of double pneumonia but later suffered a stroke. Despite the terrible news, we honor Pope Francis and his legacy on our world.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the son of Italian immigrants. He studied long and hard in high school to become a chemical technician, but felt that he was called to the church instead. In 1958, he joined the Jesuit novitiate and returned to his studies after recovering from pneumonia and the removal of a piece of his right lung at 21 years old. Through dedication and hard work, he earned his Master’s degree in philosophy and taught high school students literature and psychology. During his time as a teacher, he was continuing his studies, this time in theology.
He was ordained a priest in 1969 and took his final vows in the Jesuit order in 1973. From 1973-1979, he served as superior of the Jesuit province in Argentina. In 1992, he was appointed an auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, he was named archbishop until his election to the papacy. In 2001, he was inducted into becoming a cardinal.
In February of 2013, Pope Benedict XVI retired due to old age and health concerns. A conclave was convened in March, hoping that they would reach a verdict by Easter. Bergoglio was elected on the 5th ballot and chose the name Francis. He chose this name after St. Francis of Assisi, who dedicated his life to serving the poor, and St. Francis Xavier, who was a founding member of the Jesuits. Pope Francis was officially the first pope from the Western Hemisphere, the first from South America, and the first from the Jesuit order.
Now, what was so special about Pope Francis?
Pope Francis was a humble man. He chose to live in the Domus Sanctae Marthae (House of St. Martha), which is commonly known as a guest house in Vatican City. The pope usually resides in the Apostolic Palace. However, Pope Francis wanted to be one with his people. He cooked his meals and valued selflessness. He stated multiple times to the public, “My people are poor and I am one of them”. Throughout his life, not just his commitment to the church, he supported less fortunate communities and individuals. At the papal news conference in 2013, Pope Francis commented on a gay priest, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?”.
Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square on May 12, 2013
He has graced the church with many achievements and progressive changes. In 2015, he addressed climate change at the papal encyclical Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You), he promoted unity between Catholics, non-Catholics, and Christians, denounced economic inequality, called the church to embrace diversity, he advocated for survivors of sexual abuse from members of the clergy, and advocated for migrants and minorities. Pope Francis even washed the feet of two Muslim women on Maundy Thursday, the reenactment of Jesus washing the feet of the Twelve Apostles. Church tradition was that women were barred from participating since only men were Apostles. However, Pope Francis issued a decree in 2016 allowing women to partake in religious practices.
Pope Francis has been a symbol of hope, reform, unity, and beauty, among many other things. While his physical self may not be with us, he is always with us in spirit.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-I-pope#ref309985
https://openverse.org/image/c6a138e4-9b73-4b64-8430-f1c5d666eda9?q=pope+francis&p=8
https://openverse.org/image/ff36f8a1-b120-4faa-b7d8-20e1b5bff979?q=pope+francis&p=19
