The spiritual leader of the Christian community, Pope Francis, has passed away at the age of 88, and the Vatican City administration has confirmed his death.
The Vatican City administration stated on Monday that Pope Francis was suffering from double pneumonia. Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 and had been ill for a long time. Pope Francis assumed leadership of the Church in 2013.
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Pope Francis’s real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His parents were of Italian descent.
After his early education, he worked as a chemical technician but soon turned toward religious life. In 1958, he joined the “Society of Jesus” and was ordained as a priest in 1969. In 1998, he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and was elevated to the rank of Cardinal in 2001.
The Journey to Becoming Pope
On March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Jorge Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. He was the first American, the first Jesuit, and the first non-European Pope since the 8th century. He chose the name “Francis,” symbolizing simplicity and love for the poor.
In his youth, Pope Francis had a portion of one lung removed due to pneumonia, making him susceptible to respiratory illnesses. In his final days, he suffered from pneumonia in both lungs and severe breathing difficulties, which led to him being placed on a ventilator.
Who Will Be the Next Pope?
After Pope Francis’s passing, a “Conclave” will be held at the Vatican, during which Cardinals from around the world will elect a new Pope. Possible candidates include Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy), Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy).
Conclusion
Pope Francis gave a new direction to the Catholic Church, emphasizing simplicity, transparency, and social justice. His death is a great loss not only for the Catholic community but for the entire world.
