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On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the world bid farewell to Pope Francis, a humble man whose life journey from the streets of Buenos Aires to the throne of St. Peter captured hearts across the globe. His passing marked the end of a papacy defined by compassion, reform, and relentless focus on the poor and marginalized. But before he was a global figure in white robes, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was just a soft-spoken Argentine with a deep love for books, chemistry, and God.
Born in 1936 to Italian immigrant parents in Argentina, Jorge wasn't raised with thoughts of becoming pope. He initially worked as a chemical technician and briefly dabbled in secular jobs, even working as a bouncer. It wasn't until a severe illness at age 21, during which he felt a deep spiritual calling, that he joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) a Catholic order known for intellectual rigor and a commitment to social justice.
Ordained a priest in 1969, Father Bergoglio quickly rose through the ranks. He became the Jesuit Provincial Superior of Argentina by 1973 and later led a theological faculty. Despite his growing responsibilities, he remained grounded, choosing to live simply, commute by public bus, and cook his own meals. His connection with the poor was more than pastoral, it was personal. He walked alongside them, not above them.
His appointment as Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 further cemented his reputation as a man of the people. He rejected the archbishop's palace, opting instead for a modest apartment. In 2001, he became a cardinal, and in 2013, history was made: Bergoglio was elected pope, the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first to take the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
Now, with his death, the Catholic Church has entered a solemn and sacred period known as sede vacante (the vacant seat). Vatican flags fly at half-mast. Bells toll. And the College of Cardinals gathers to prepare for the next chapter. In the coming days, they will enter a closed-door conclave in the Sistine Chapel to elect Pope Francis' successor. Until white smoke rises above the chapel signaling that a new pope has been chosen, the Church is in mourning and transition.
Though Pope Francis has passed, his legacy, one of simplicity, humility, and fierce advocacy for the downtrodden will echo in the Church for generations. His final blessing may have been given, but his impact remains very much alive.
