Pope Francis, the spiritual leader who reshaped the Catholic Church with his progressive vision and humble lifestyle, passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he came from a family of Italian immigrants. Ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969, Bergoglio quickly rose within the Church’s hierarchy, becoming the head of Argentina’s Jesuits from 1973 to 1979. He was later appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and elevated to archbishop in 1998. In 2001, Pope John Paul II named him a cardinal.
Bergoglio’s election as pope in March 2013 was historic on several fronts. He became the first pontiff from Latin America, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European leader of the Church in over 1,300 years. Choosing the name Francis, in tribute to Saint Francis of Assisi, he signaled his priorities: humility, poverty alleviation, environmental stewardship, and peace.
Pope Francis stood apart with his simplicity, opting to live in a Vatican guesthouse instead of the traditional Apostolic Palace. He chose modest clothing, wore a plastic wristwatch, and was often seen in a regular family car, gestures that endeared him to millions worldwide.
However, his tenure was not without controversy. His efforts to create a more inclusive Church, especially regarding LGBTQ individuals and divorced Catholics, faced fierce resistance from conservative factions. His restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass and calls for a more open, compassionate Church sparked ongoing debates within the Catholic community.
Throughout his papacy, Francis traveled extensively, visiting over 65 countries and covering more than 465,000 kilometers, though he never returned to his native Argentina. His push for financial transparency and structural reform within the Vatican won praise but also highlighted challenges, particularly his uneven handling of clerical sexual abuse scandals.
Despite facing criticism for his spontaneous style and unpredictable remarks, Pope Francis left an indelible mark on the global Catholic Church, championing dialogue, social justice, and compassion over rigid orthodoxy.
