Who is Pope Francis
Pope Francis is the current leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the first pope to come from the Americas. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was elected as the 266th pope on March 13, 2013, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Since then, he has made significant changes in the Church, from his views on social issues to his approach to leadership.
Early Life and Career of Pope Francis
Pope Francis was born to Italian immigrant parents and was one of five children. His father worked as a railway worker, and his mother was a homemaker. From a young age, he showed an interest in the Church and was inspired by the Jesuits, who ran the school he attended.
After completing his studies in philosophy and theology, Pope Francis was ordained a priest in 1969. He then taught literature, psychology, and philosophy at several Jesuit institutions in Argentina. In 1992, he was appointed as the auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and later became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.
The papacy of Pope Francis
When Pope Francis was elected as the leader of the Catholic Church, he chose his papal name after St. Francis of Assisi, known for his humility and love for the poor. He has continued to embody these values in his papacy, focusing on social issues such as poverty, immigration, and climate change.
One of Pope Francis's notable achievements is the publication of his encyclical, "Laudato Si'," which calls for action on climate change and environmental degradation. He has also been vocal about his opposition to the death penalty and his support for refugees and migrants. Additionally, he has taken steps to address the sexual abuse scandal within the Church, calling for accountability and transparency.
Impact
Pope Francis's papacy has been marked by significant changes in the Church, from his emphasis on social issues to his more inclusive approach to leadership. He has encouraged greater participation from laypeople and women within the Church and has called for a more decentralized Church structure. His leadership has also brought a renewed focus on evangelization and mission, emphasizing reaching out to those on the margins of society.
Pope Francis was hospitalized with a respiratory infection
Pope Francis, who has been suffering from breathing problems recently, was taken to the hospital on the 29th of 2023, Wednesday with pneumonia and will remain in the hospital for several days, the Vatican announced. The 86-year-old Pope is free from Covid-19, spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement late on Wednesday.
Francis was first hospitalized in July 2021 after spending 10 days at Gemelli, where 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon was removed. This immediately raised questions about Francis' general health and his ability to celebrate the busy events of Holy Week, which begin this weekend on Palm Sunday.
Bruni said Francis had been suffering from shortness of breath for the past few days and had gone to Gemelli Hospital for a check-up.
"The tests identified a respiratory infection (other than the Covid-19 infection) that requires medical attention within a few days," Bruni said in a statement.
Pope Francis is a significant figure in the Catholic Church and beyond. His papacy has been marked by a focus on social issues, a more inclusive approach to leadership, and a renewed emphasis on evangelization and mission. While his papacy has faced criticism and controversy, Pope Francis has remained steadfast in his commitment to the values of humility, compassion, and social justice that he holds dear.