Religion is a form of connection and community, allowing people of all different races and world views to unite over similar beliefs. These diverse forms of culture and thought strive to teach kindness, connection, and spirituality, no matter the type.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, otherwise known as Pope Francis, sought to display these positive aspects of his religion, Catholicism, through promoting peace between faiths, acceptance of differences, and overall unity. His passing on April 21 — Easter Monday — had a profound impact on Catholics and people of other religions worldwide, emphasizing the strength of his legacy and lifetime of service.
Born on Dec. 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Francis had a humble beginning. He grew up in a stable and loving home, as the son of Italian immigrants: Mario Bergoglio, an accountant, and Regina Sivori, a caring and devoted mother.
In 1958, he joined the Jesuit novitiate, beginning his journey to greatness. Francis then studied humanities, theology, and philosophy, while he worked towards church leadership. Furthermore, the late pope was ordained a priest in 1969, completed vows for the Jesuit order in 1973, and rose to the top of the Argentinian Jesuit province, a role which he held from 1973 to 1979. Throughout the process, education was an imperative aspect of his academic and spiritual journey, with Francis even beginning a doctoral thesis in 1986.
Across the years, Francis rose in the ranks of Catholicism. However, his most impressive and well-known position was that of the pope or supreme pontiff, which he was elected to on March 13, 2013.
A pope is the highest role in Catholicism, as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and its religious government. Those appointed must be dedicated, charismatic, and wise — qualities which Francis portrayed throughout his 12 years of service.
As the first non-European pope in over 1,000 years and first pope from South America and the Jesuit order, Francis deeply understood the impact of trailblazing and diversity as a whole. This was a strong motivator for many of his movements. The late Pope aimed to increase inclusivity and acceptance, especially for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Sexuality is a widely controversial topic within several religions, including branches of Christianity, but Francis aimed to increase understanding and acceptance of these individuals throughout his time as Pope.
However, to Francis, inclusivity and diversity not only involved supporting Catholics, but also increasing peace between other religions. He focused on creating union between differing faiths, as displayed through his visit of the Arabian Peninsula — the birthplace of Islam. This was deemed an influential turning point in interfaith relations and overall world peace.
Furthermore, he spoke out for climate and environmental issues. Laudato si, translated to ‘Praise Be To You,’ was issued by Francis in May 2015. This publication brought attention towards the oppressive problem of environmental decline and abuse of nature, increasing awareness of climate change and human rights.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis resided in Vatican City, a city-state within Rome, Italy. The surrounding country experienced an immense amount of casualties and suffering. Despite the dangers, he embarked on a pilgrimage from the Vatican to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Upon his arrival, Francis prayed to the Virgin Mary, creating an image of hope for those suffering and grieving across the world.
Hope most certainly became a common theme for the late Pope. Francis found hope for LGBTQ+ members experiencing persecution. He found hope in the face of religious tension. He found hope in the seemingly dire issue of climate change. However, most of all, he found hope for the future; Pope Francis allowed his vision of reform and peace to disperse throughout the globe, crafting a legacy that will undoubtedly span generations to follow.
Prior to his death, the Pope was hospitalized for over a month due to respiratory issues and pneumonia antagonized by chronic lung disease. However, his cause of death, according to the Vatican, was a stroke, resulting in a coma and heart failure. Pope Francis’ memorial service occurred on Saturday, April 26, consisting of a heartfelt funeral in St. Peter’s Square and a burial following the event.
As the newly elected pope, Pope Leo XIV, or formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, takes over as the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis’ legacy remains as a staunch reminder of the impact that religious leaders can make — not just on their own religious followers — but on individuals of different race, sexuality, or political opinion all across the world.