VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis, the first Latin American head of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday at the age of 88, shortly after recovering from a severe case of double pneumonia.
Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013. His death, which concludes a tumultuous papacy, occurred just a day after he made his first extended public appearance since being released from a 38-day hospital stay on March 23.
As world leaders express their condolences, let’s take a moment to reflect on significant events in his life.
— Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969 and served as the head of the Jesuit order in Argentina from 1973 to 1979. In 1992, he became an auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and was later appointed the city’s archbishop in 1998. In 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal.
— In a surprising turn for many Catholic observers, Bergoglio was elected pope during a conclave in March 2013, following Pope Benedict’s unexpected resignation. He took the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, emphasizing his commitment to poverty, peace, and environmental stewardship.
— He was the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, the first pope from Latin America, and the first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy. Jesuits are traditionally known for their dedication to education and social justice, particularly in assisting disadvantaged communities.
— Francis opted out of many conventional papal luxuries, choosing to live in a modest Vatican guesthouse instead of the lavish papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. He simplified the papal wardrobe, wore a plastic watch, and preferred to travel in a regular family car.
— His informal approach quickly led to tensions with conservative factions within the Church, who were displeased with his welcoming attitude toward LGBT individuals and divorced Catholics. He also faced backlash for his restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass.
— Over his papacy, Francis traveled 47 times outside of Italy, visiting over 65 countries and covering more than 465,000 kilometers (about 289,000 miles), yet he never returned to Argentina.
— He initiated reforms in the Vatican aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and financial integrity, appointing more women to senior roles in the Church’s hierarchy. However, some viewed him as an erratic leader, often surprising Vatican officials with spontaneous remarks and decisions. Despite his efforts, he grappled with managing the ongoing sexual abuse crisis within the Church.
