Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, has passed away at 88. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 17, 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the son of Italian immigrants. Emerging from modest origins, he changed into a key player within the Roman Catholic Church. His election as the 266th pope in 2013 was an unprecedented moment in history. It was big news, this extraordinary moment, as for the first time in nearly 1,300 years, the Roman Catholic Church elected a non-European leader.
From the beginning of his life, Pope Francis exhibited a heart of servitude and humility. He was the oldest of five children in a comfortable middle-class household. His father was an Italian immigrant and his mother was an Italian Argentine. Yet, as different as their backgrounds were, they both taught him the importance of community and civic duty. During his youth, he worked as a janitor and nightclub bouncer while pursuing his education, eventually becoming a chemical technician.
In 1969, he was ordained a Jesuit priest. Such leadership was soon evident when he was appointed to head the Argentina-Uruguay province of the Society of Jesus religious order in 1973. This astonishing achievement was accomplished by him at the age of 36. Yet he continued to climb the ranks within the church. In 1992 Pope John Paul II made him a bishop, and in 1998 he was made archbishop of Buenos Aires.
The New York Times argued that Pope Francis came to office after the surprise retirement of Pope Benedict XVI. His papacy was defined by his radical commitment to the poor and marginalized, love, and inclusivity. He would sometimes remind the faithful that “communion is not a reward for the righteous.” He called for a church that would embrace everybody, regardless of where they’ve been or what they’re doing now.
The pope’s pastoral approach resonated with many. Instead, he liked to challenge clergy to be warm-hearted shepherds instead of cold-hearted examiners. Don’t be a pastor, don’t go condemning,” he would say, stressing the need to nurture rather than persecute.
His time also saw great leadership on the world stage on issues such as poverty, inequality and climate change. He advocated for a more just and inclusive world and prioritized the need to care for our creation through his landmark encyclical “Laudato Si”. These endeavors exemplified his deep commitment to shepherding a church that boldly wrestles with the most difficult issues facing our world today.
Pope Francis’s influence extended beyond religious boundaries. He called for respect across religious traditions and interfaith dialogue, and worked to heal cultural and community rifts. His warmth, humility, humor and his open-hearted embrace of the marginalized earned him reverence around the globe.
Pope Francis is the first pontiff from Europe’s southern flank. His unparalleled moral clarity in pursuit of compassion and justice guarantees that his legacy will inspire not just the next generation, but generations to come. His passing marks the end of an era. This age was characterized by progressive aspirations and vigorous coalitions to update the Catholic Church’s stance on civil rights, feminism, and the anti-war movement.