Pope Francis, the world-charming, humble, and compassionate leader towards the less fortunate, yet a critic of capitalism and climate change who stirred controversy among conservatives, passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
Church bells rang throughout Rome following the proclamation made by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, serving as the Vatican’s camerlengo, from the chapel of Santa Marta Residence, where Pope Francis resides.
Or:
Bells were rung in the towers of Roman churches after a declaration was made by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who spoke from the chapel of his residence, Santa Marta Domus, where Pope Francis stays.
Or:
The sound of bells echoed across Rome following an announcement made by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo, within the chapel of the Santa Marta Residence, where Pope Francis resides.
All three versions convey the same meaning but use slightly different phrasing and sentence structures to make them sound distinct yet natural.
This morning at 7:35, I’m sharing that Pope Francis, in his lifelong dedication to serving the Almighty and His Church, has returned to the residence of the Father, as stated.
On February 14, 2025, Pope Francis, who had a history of chronic lung disease and had undergone partial lung removal in his youth, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital due to a worsening respiratory condition that eventually turned into a double case of pneumonia. His stay at the hospital lasted for 38 days, marking the longest hospitalization during his 12-year papacy.
However, on Easter Sunday, just the day prior to his demise, he unexpectedly appeared in St. Peter’s Square to bestow blessings upon thousands and take them for an impromptu spin around the piazza in a popemobile, causing a wave of jubilant cheers and applause.
Starting from his casual “Good evening” upon assuming the role, Pope Francis demonstrated a new, compassionate approach to the papacy, prioritizing modesty over arrogance in response to the Catholic Church’s ongoing scandals and allegations of disregard for the downtrodden and refugees.
Following the rainy night on March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a native of Argentina, invigorated an institution that’s over two thousand years old, which had experienced a decline in influence during Pope Benedict XVI’s troubled reign. His unexpected resignation paved the way for Francis to be elected.
however, Francis’s efforts to foster progression led to self-generated strife, as conservatives grew more and more displeased with his liberal leanings, outreach towards LGBTQ+ Catholics, and suppression of traditionalists. The most significant challenge for him came in 2018 when he mishandled a well-known case of clergy sexual abuse, causing an old scandal that had lingered under his predecessors to resurface during his tenure.
Later, Pope Francis, who is fond of crowds and travels extensively around the world, found himself in an extraordinary situation – guiding a global faith amidst the coronavirus outbreak, all while confined within Vatican City.
Or,
Pope Francis, known for his love of crowds and global travels, faced an unprecedented challenge: leading a universal religion during the coronavirus pandemic, but this time from a closed-off Vatican City.
He urged the global community to view the COVID-19 pandemic as a chance to reconsider and revise our current economic and political structures, which he believed have exacerbated wealth inequality between the rich and the poor.
In an empty St. Peter’s Square during March 2020, Francis expressed that we are all sharing a common experience, feeling fragile and confused like passengers on the same ship. He further emphasized that the pandemic underscores the importance of working together, with each person providing support for their fellow travelers.
Revamping the Vatican Structure and Finances:
Francis was chosen with a mission to overhaul the Vatican’s administrative system and financial structure, but instead of stopping there, he stirred up more change within the church while keeping its fundamental teachings intact. When questioned about a reportedly gay priest, he responded with, “It is not my place to judge.
The remark extended a warm greeting to the LGBTQ+ community and those who felt excluded by a church that prioritized sexual morality over boundless affection. “Being gay is not punishable,” he expressed to The Associated Press in 2023, advocating for the abolition of civil regulations that penalize it.
In a compassionate shift, Pope Francis altered the Church’s stance on capital punishment, branding it unacceptable under any circumstances. Furthermore, he labeled the mere possession of nuclear weapons as immoral, not only their deployment.
In additional milestones, he endorsed a deal with China regarding bishop appointments, which had long been a source of frustration for the Vatican. Furthermore, he held talks with the Russian Orthodox leader and established fresh connections with the Islamic world by traveling to the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq.
He reinforced the tradition of an all-male, celibate clergy and maintained the church’s stance against abortion, likening it to hiring someone to carry out a violent act, such as employing a hitman to resolve an issue.
As a supporter, I’m thrilled to share that this individual opened up significant positions for women, especially in crucial decision-making processes within our faith community. He granted us the opportunity to serve as lectors and acolytes in parishes, roles previously unavailable to us. Furthermore, he enabled us to cast votes alongside bishops during Vatican gatherings, addressing longstanding concerns about the disparity between the substantial work women do for the church and our lack of representation in leadership positions.
Sister Nathalie Becquart, who was appointed by Francis to a prominent position within the Vatican, expressed that his enduring impact is embodied by a vision of a church characterized by mutuality and esteem between males and females.
As a gamer, I’m all about flipping the power dynamic – moving from us controlling the game, to the game controlling us, from male-dominated to cooperative play. That’s exactly what Becquart, the first woman with voting rights in a Vatican synod, is advocating.
The church served as a sanctuary, even though Francis did not permit women’s ordination; however, the voting reform was a significant step in a revolutionary shift towards defining the church as a haven for all – “todos, todos, todos” (“everyone, everyone, everyone”) – rather than just the select few. Migrants, the impoverished, prisoners and outcasts were welcomed to his table more frequently than presidents or influential business leaders.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell noted that Pope Francis has consistently aimed to open the church’s arms wide to include everyone, rather than excluding anyone. This role falls to him as he assumes responsibility following the death or retirement of a pope.
Francis urged his clergy to show compassion and kindness towards their congregations, advocated for the preservation of Earth’s environment against climate catastrophe, and called upon nations to provide refuge for people escaping conflict, hardship, and tyranny.
Or:
In a call to action, Francis requested his bishops to exhibit empathy and care towards their followers, spoke up about the need to safeguard Earth’s environment from devastating climate change, and appealed to countries to offer asylum to those escaping war, poverty, and oppression.
Following his trip to Mexico in 2016, Francis expressed his opinion on the then-US presidential candidate Donald Trump, stating that someone constructing a wall as a means to prevent immigrants from entering, “does not uphold Christian values.
Progressives applauded Francis’ emphasis on Jesus’ message of compassion and acceptance, but conservatives found his approach concerning because they believed it weakened Catholic doctrine and potentially undermined the Christian essence in Western culture. Some went as far as labeling him a non-conformist.
Several cardinals openly expressed their dissent towards him, a response that Francis often employed when faced with conflict was the practice of remaining silent.
This individual loosened the process for married Catholics seeking an annulment, enabled priests to forgive women who have undergone abortions, and declared that priests could bless same-sex couples. He initiated discussions on topics such as homosexuality and divorce, empowering pastors with the flexibility to understand and guide their congregations, rather than dictating rigid rules for them to follow.
St. Francis of Assisi served as an example of humility rather than extravagance. He chose to reside in a simple Vatican lodging instead of the Apostolic Palace, opting for his worn-out sandals over the red shoes traditionally associated with papal office, and preferred modest vehicles over grandeur. This wasn’t merely a show or a trick; it was a genuine expression of his values.
In 2013, he expressed that what the church requires the most right now is the capacity to mend hurts and to provide comfort for its followers. He likened the church to a field hospital treating casualties from a battle.
Not only did Pope Francis make history as the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, but he also chose to name himself after Saint Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century friar renowned for his simplicity, advocacy for peace, and compassion towards society’s marginalized members and the natural world.
Or
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, further distinguished himself by adopting the name of Saint Francis of Assisi – a 13th-century friar admired for his simplicity, peace-loving nature, and concern for society’s outcasts and the environment.
Francis reached out to those who were jobless, ailing, handicapped, and homeless. He offered sincere apologies to the Indigenous communities for the wrongdoings of the church throughout the colonial era.
In the year 2021, he underwent a procedure to remove a portion of his colon, followed by another operation in 2023 for hernia repair and the removal of scar tissue in his intestines. Since 2022, due to troublesome knees, he’s been using a wheelchair or cane regularly. Additionally, he has experienced periods of bronchitis.
He chose to serve on society’s outskirts with compassion: tenderly touching the severely misshapen head of a man in St. Peter’s Square, affectionately kissing the tattoo of a Holocaust survivor, and graciously inviting the street scavengers of Argentina to share the stage with him in Rio de Janeiro.
Coqui Vargas, a transgender woman in Rome, stated that we’ve often faced exclusion, but Pope Francis has consistently supported us throughout,” she shared, referring to her community’s unusual bond with Francis, which was cultivated during the pandemic period.
Instead of his initial papal journey, he set foot on the migrant-crisis hotspot island of Lampedusa. In contrast to focusing on the heartlands of worldwide Catholicism, he opted to travel to impoverished nations where Christians frequently faced persecution as a marginalized group.
Friend and compatriot Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo expressed his concern for the marginalized and less fortunate, drawing inspiration from the Beatitudes – a set of eight blessings Jesus spoke about in the Sermon on the Mount that include those who are humble, compassionate, struggling financially, and others.
What makes these Beatitudes the framework for this papacy, according to Sánchez, is because they mirror the very foundation of Jesus Christ’s plan.”
“Sánchez stated that the Beatitudes serve as the blueprint for this papacy since they reflect the underlying principles of Jesus Christ’s mission.
It took more than a year for Pope Francis to meet with survivors of clerical sexual abuse, which initially caused concern among victim’s groups about his true comprehension of the magnitude of the issue.
In essence, Francis established a committee aimed at offering guidance to the church regarding appropriate conduct, particularly with regards to sexual abuse matters. However, this commission gradually lost its power over time, and its proposal for a court system to evaluate bishops who concealed cases involving pedophile clergy members remained unheeded.
Later, he faced the most significant challenge during his papacy. In 2018, he undermined the credibility of Chilean abuse survivors and supported a questionable bishop associated with their abuser. Eventually, he acknowledged his mistake and extended invitations to the victims for a heartfelt apology at the Vatican. Furthermore, he called upon the entire leadership of the Chilean church to step down simultaneously.
Following the resolution of the previous issue, another controversy arose surrounding ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the former archbishop of Washington who served as an advisor to three popes.
It’s important to note that Francis quickly acted against McCarrick following allegations he molested a teenage altar boy back in the 1970s. However, it was alleged by the Vatican’s former U.S. ambassador that Francis had, early on in his papacy, helped reinstate McCarrick instead.
Eventually, Francis removed McCarrick from his clergy position following an investigation by the Vatican that revealed he had sexually abused both adults and minors. He adjusted church laws to eliminate secrecy regarding abuse cases, established procedures for investigating bishops who themselves abused or shielded pedophile priests, aiming to eradicate impunity within the hierarchy.
(This version attempts to simplify the language while maintaining its original meaning and flow.)
Juan Carlos Cruz, a Chilean survivor of abuse discredited by Francis, expressed that he genuinely desired to take action, and conveyed this sentiment.
Pope Benedict XVI’s historic decision to step down and retire in 2013 cleared the path for Francis’ election, marking an unparalleled situation where two popes resided within the Vatican for the first time in six centuries.
As a gamer, I wasn’t afraid to step into Benedict’s possibly intimidating limelight. I regarded him as a seasoned veteran and mentor, inviting him to emerge from his secluded sanctuary and join me in the lively arena of our shared gaming community.
“It’s like having your grandfather in the house, a wise grandfather,” Francis said.
Francis commended Benedict by expressing that he paved the way for others to do likewise, sparking rumors that Francis too might step down. However, following Benedict’s passing on December 31, 2022, he emphasized his belief that in essence, the papacy is a lifelong position.
Francis’ more casual approach to liturgy and his focus on pastoral matters clearly indicated that he and the German theologian were rooted in distinct spiritual backgrounds. Moreover, Francis explicitly reversed several decrees made by his predecessor.
He ensured that Salvadoran Archbishop Óscar Romero, a champion of the liberation theology movement in Latin America, received canonization following a prolonged period during which his case was overlooked by Pope Benedict due to worries about the potential political leanings associated with it (i.e., its Marxist orientation).
Francis once again enforced limitations on performing the old Latin Mass that Benedict had previously loosened, claiming its proliferation was causing division. This decision sparked anger among traditionalist critics of Francis and ignited a prolonged dispute between conservative Catholics, particularly those in the U.S., and Pope Francis from Argentina.
Traditionalists have found themselves at odds with Pope Francis, as his stance on permitting remarried Catholics to partake in sacraments without an annulment – a decision that declares their previous marriage null and void – has sparked dissent among them.
Italy’s conservative daily newspaper Il Foglio expressed disapproval of the current pope several months into his term, mirroring the dissatisfaction felt by a modest but significant traditionalist Catholic group who found favor during Benedict’s papacy.
Critics increased their objections following Francis’ approval of church blessings for same-sex unions, as well as the contentious agreement with China regarding the selection of bishops.
The specifics remained undisclosed, yet conservative commentators criticized it as a concession to Communist China, while the Vatican maintained that it was the most favorable arrangement achievable with Beijing.
U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke, who is known for his opposition to Pope Francis, stated that the church currently resembles a ship sailing without a steering mechanism (rudder).
For a prolonged period, Burke had been actively campaigning against certain decisions made by Francis. This opposition began when Francis dismissed him from his position as a justice in the Vatican’s supreme court and reached its peak with his public objections to Francis’ 2023 synod discussing the church’s future.
On two occasions, he teamed up with other conservative cardinals to publicly question Pope Francis about his liberal views on religious doctrines, specifically addressing topics such as the prospect of same-sex blessings and his approach towards divorced and remarried Catholics.
Eventually, Francis provided financial backing for Burke, alleging that he had caused “discord.” This was one of several personnel decisions he made both within the Vatican and globally, aimed at tipping the scales from strict adherents to more compassionate leaders.
As a devoted follower, I strive to embrace the essence of my fellow believers, just as Pope Francis encourages his bishops and cardinals to do. It’s important for us all to connect deeply with our community and serve them faithfully, expressing discontent when we fall short in this endeavor.
In 2014, Pope Francis delivered one of the most significant public reprimands to his colleagues in the Vatican Curia during his Christmas address. From the grand marble halls of the Apostolic Palace, he listed fifteen potential ailments that could affect those close to him, including spiritual forgetfulness, an insatiable hunger for power, and the destructive force of gossip.
To combat corruption, Francis implemented changes in the Vatican Bank that had been tarnished by scandals. He aimed to bring Vatican officials under financial control, reducing their pay and restricting their capacity to accept gifts or bid for public contracts.
He gave permission for the Vatican police to search his own office within the Secretariat of State and the Vatican’s financial monitoring body, due to concerns about a 350 million euro investment in a London property deal. After a nearly three-year trial, the Vatican court found Cardinal Angelo Becciu guilty of embezzlement and delivered conflicting verdicts for nine others, freeing one from charges.
In essence, the trial turned out to be detrimental to the Holy See’s reputation, revealing flaws within its judicial system, power struggles amongst high-ranking clerics, and instances where the Pope interceded in support of prosecutors.
Pope Francis garnered accolades for attempting to reform the Vatican’s finances, but drew criticism from U.S. conservatives due to his repeated criticisms of the international financial system, which seems to benefit the wealthy at the expense of the less fortunate.
Or, more informally:
Pope Francis was praised for reorganizing the Vatican’s money matters, but got flak from U.S. conservatives because he often spoke out against the rich-favoring global financial system that they see as exploiting the poor.
During his papacy, economic fairness was a significant focus, and he openly expressed this desire during his initial press conference by stating that he aimed to establish a “church of the impoverished, serving the destitute.
In his significant religious manifesto titled “The Joy of the Gospel,” Pope Francis criticized the concept of trickle-down economics as unfounded and simplistic, stemming from a mindset that allows the dominant to exploit the less powerful without considering ethical principles, environmental concerns, or even divine guidance.
“Money must serve, not rule!” he said in urging political reforms.
In his significant eco-encyclical titled “Praised Be,” he expanded on this topic, criticizing the economically flawed global system which he described as “structurally corrupt.” He argued that it unfairly exploits the less fortunate and jeopardizes Earth by turning it into a massive accumulation of waste.
Some American conservatives accused Francis of being a Marxist. In response, he said he has numerous acquaintances who are Marxists.
Born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the oldest child among five offspring of immigrant parents from Italy. His passions were soccer, opera, and prayer.
He attributed his ability to pray to his deeply religious grandmother Rosa, who taught him. Weekends were filled with listening to opera on the radio, going to church, and watching matches for their cherished San Lorenzo football team. As pope, his passion for soccer amassed a vast collection of jerseys from visitors.
At the age of 17, during his time at confession, he claimed to have received his divine calling. In a 2010 biography, he described this experience as something that transformed his life profoundly, stating, “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it made an immense impact. … It was as if they had been waiting for me.
In 1958, he decided to leave the diocesan seminary and join the Jesuit order instead, drawn by their missionary history and bold spirit.
At roughly this period, he experienced pneumonia that necessitated the excision of the upper section of his right lung. His delicate condition hindered him from pursuing a career as a missionary, and it’s possible that his weakened lung capacity contributed to his soft voice and reluctance to lead in church services.
On the 13th of December, 1969, I was ordained as a priest and jumped straight into teaching. In 1973, I was unexpectedly appointed as the head of the Jesuits in Argentina, a position that seemed quite absurd considering my youthful age of just 36. Reflecting on my tenure, I acknowledged it as ‘crazy’. My authoritarian decision-making style and swift actions often landed me in trouble, leading to accusations of being too conservative. This was the account I shared during my interview with Civilta Cattolica.
During Argentina’s brutal dictatorship from 1976 to 1983, his six-year term as a provincial governor overlapped. This period saw the military waging a violent crackdown on leftist rebels and government adversaries.
Pope Francis (then Bergoglio) did not openly challenge the military regime, which led to allegations that he implicitly permitted two priests from the slums to be abducted and tormented, as he failed to publicly support their activities.
For many decades, he declined to challenge that account of events. It wasn’t until a 2010 authorized biography that he disclosed the secretive measures he employed to protect them. He managed to get the feared dictator Jorge Videla’s family priest sick so he could conduct Mass in his place. Once inside the junta leader’s residence, Bergoglio made a private plea for leniency. Both priests eventually emerged from prison, a rare survival among many.
During his tenure as Pope, stories surfaced about numerous individuals – clergy, seminarians, and political opponents – who were secretly aided by Bergoglio amid the “dirty war.” He provided safe haven for some at the seminary, while others received assistance in leaving the country.
In 1986, Jorge Bergoglio traveled to Germany to work on an unfinished thesis. Upon his return to Argentina, he experienced what he referred to as a period of “deep internal struggle” in Cordoba. Being less favored by progressive Jesuit leaders, he found himself slipping into obscurity until 1992, when Pope Saint John Paul II recognized him and appointed him an auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. Six years later, he was promoted to archbishop, and in 2001, he was made a cardinal.
In 2005, he was nearly chosen as pope, with Benedict being elected instead. He received the second highest number of votes during multiple voting rounds, but eventually decided to step aside.
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2025-04-21 11:56