Francis

In memoriam

FRANCISCVS

Roman Catholic Pope. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood of Buenos Aires, the son of Italian immigrants. After studying chemistry, he joined the Society of Jesus in 1958 and was ordained a priest in 1969. Known for his humility and strong dedication to the poor, he steadily rose through the ranks of the Argentine Church, becoming Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and a cardinal in 2001, appointed by Pope John Paul II . On March 13, 2013, following Pope Benedict XVI 's resignation, he was elected pope and took the name Francis, honoring Saint Francis of Assisi. His election marked several historic milestones: he was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. Throughout his papacy, Francis focused on reforming the Church from within, promoting financial accountability and shifting emphasis from strict doctrine to compassionate pastoral care. His inclusive approach and efforts to reach out to marginalized communities earned both widespread praise and criticism, particularly from more conservative factions. Despite facing health challenges in his later years, Francis remained active in his role until shortly before his passing, delivering his final Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter Sunday, 2025.

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