On April 21 this year, the beloved Pope of Christianity has passed away after over 12 years of papacy.
Pope Francis has been well-known as the head of the Catholic church since the year 2013. Before then, he had lived a whole life of catholic worship leading up to his legacy. He was born the name Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and originally studied to become a chemical technician. However, after trying in the world of the working man, he found the church began to call him, and he changed the course of his life to devote it to his faith.
After joining a Jesuit Novitiate, he began to study more humanities such as philosophy and psychology, and eventually graduated from college with a degree in theology.
Later in his life, in 2013, the pope at the time, Pope Benedict XVI, had stepped down from his position due to health concerns and old age. Because of this, Bergoglio, or now his new title, Pope Francis, would become the new pope.
Pope Francis was known as the first non-European pope in over a millennium. He was known to have brought major reforms to the church as well as bringing much more inclusivity. He was familiar with over nine languages, varying from Spanish to Genoese Ligurian. Although seen as progressive, he did speak out against more political ideals, such as same sex marriage and affirming the church’s opinion on abortion rights, however, this is not to say that Pope Francis had not been extremely progressive for his time.
Now, Pope Francis has suffered a stroke and heart failure. He now rests in peace all the way in the Vatican. His death has now opened a new debate: Who is going to be the next pope? As of now, cardinals are lined up and awaiting. However, now is the time for mourning this tremendous loss.
Catholics here at Wayne Hills are feeling the sadness that came with his death. English Teacher Mr. Fleissner had nothing but great things to say about Pope Francis.
“You know, I think it’s tremendously sad,” he siad. “I personally felt he was really good for the Catholic Church, as a Catholic my whole life. I felt like he was moving things in a direction that sort of jived with what I would want my religion to be. He was a real model of humility and service and I am for one very grateful that we had him for a while. We’ll see who the next guy is, and, hopefully, he continues that mission.”
Art teacher Mrs. Vallario also had words to say about Pope Francis’ passing, “It’s really sad. Pope Francis was the first pope that really cared for everyone. He made it known that it didn’t matter if you were rich or poor, whatever your faith was, he was very inclusive. It
Though Catholics are suffering a great loss, there is still hope for a new leader to take position. History teacher Mr. Hittinger spoke on this, suggesting that the future position will be inspired by Francis’s qualities, saying, “I’m not well versed in all of the people that are the frontrunners as we’re getting closer to where they’re determining, I’m going to read up more about those people. But I know that there are lots of people in the world that want to do positive things, and I think what was great about Francis what that he was reaching out to people from all different religions, and not just putting his religion above everyone else.”
Most of society, regardless of background, has gathered to mourn Pope Francis’s death. Many now know that Pope Francis is in a better place.
