Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was elected Pope of the Catholic Church in 2013, he took the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, who was known for his embrace of poverty and chastity.
Since his election, Pope Francis has stamped his own authority on the Church. In particular, he has sought to emphasis the traditional principles in the gospels of humility, charity and modesty. He has sought to encourage the church to place more emphasis on personal religious practise and concern for the poor, rather than issues related to abortion, contraception and homosexuality. He has personally rejected the more luxurious apartments in the Vatican, preferring to choose simple garments and live in more simple accommodation.“Let us allow Jesus into our lives, and leave behind our selfishness, indifference and closed attitudes to others.”
_ Pope Francis 27 Aug, 2013
Jorge Mario Bergolio was born in Flores, a suburb of Buenos Aires, on 17 December, 1936.
He attended a technical secondary school, graduating with a diploma in chemistry. He worked as chemist in a food laboratory for a few years.
In 1955 (aged 19), he began studying at a local seminary in Buenos Aires. On March 11, 1957, he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) as a novice. He went to Santiago, Chile where he studied humanities. On March 12 1960, he took his initial vows and officially became a jesuit. During the 1960s, he worked as a teacher, teaching literature and psychology in Sante Fe, and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
On 13 December, 1969, after finishing his theological studies, he was ordained to the priesthood and became a professor of theology at the seminary of San Miguel. Bergolio took his perpetual vows in 1973 and was appointed Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina from 1973 to 1979.
In 1992, he became Auxilliary Bishop of Beunos Aires, and in 1998 he became the Archbishop. As Archbishop he doubled the number of priests working in the slums of Buenos Aires. He was created cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. He held the position of Archbishop of Buenos Aires until 2011, when he resigned, because at the age of 75 it was necessary under church law.
Becoming Pope
After the death of Pope John Paul II, Bergoglio was said to be a realistic candidate to become the new pope. But, instead Cardinal Ratzinger was chosen. However, in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement. Bergoglio was elected on the Second day of the Papal conclave on 13 March. Explaining his choice of name, Pope Francis said of his patron saint: “The man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man,… How I would like a poor Church, and for the poor”.
Pope Francis beliefs
Pope Francis developed a reputation for humility and simplicity. He has often chosen to live in simpler accommodation and rejected the more palatial bishop’s residences. When elected Pope, he preferred to stay in his current accommodation and didn’t move into the Vatican suites. As Archbishop, he took public transport and engaged in the Holy Thursday ritual of washing the feet of the poor, whether in jail or hospital.
He has expressed a strong commitment to social justice, arguing that the gospels express an important commitment to reaching out to the disadvantaged of society and working to improve conditions of the poor.
“Let us ask the Lord to give us the gentleness to look upon the poor with understanding and love, devoid of human calculation and fear.” 24 Sep, 2013
Doctrinally, he is considered a conservative. As archbishop, he instigate pro-life work to prevent abortion. In 2007, he criticised the Argentinian government when it intervened to allow an abortion for a mentally handicapped woman who had been raped.
But, on coming to be Pope, he has spoke about the need for the Chuch to move on from its obsession with issues of sexuality. Pope Francis has said that social work and religious devotion is much more important, and if the church gets entangled with issues of sexuality, it could fall away.
“The church’s pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently, (…) We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the Church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel.”
Ecumenical work
Pope Francis sees improving dialogue between different faiths and religions as an important work of the Catholic church. He has stated that his title ‘Pontiff’ means ‘builder of bridges’ and he has sought to reach out to both non-believers and other religious leaders. People have commented he is sincere and has a strong capacity to create meaningful dialogue, especially with the Eastern Orthodox churches.
After his election, leaders of the Islamic community in Buenos Aires welcomed the news saying he “always showed himself as a friend of the Islamic community”, and a person whose position is “pro-dialogue”.
As Pope, he has raised the issue of corruption within the church and has warned that as Pope he will not tolerate ongoing corruption, and that the punishment for corrupt people should be as, it mentions in the bible, being tied to a rock and thrown into the sea. He has announced changes to the Vatican bank to make it more transparent. Some argue that the Mafia use the bank for money laundering and are concerned by the Pope’s investigation.
On social issues, he has indicated a more liberal attitude to homosexuals. In an informal press conference, he said that he personal does not judge people because of their sexuality. Though church teachings on homosexuality remain.
Pope Francis has frequently re-iterated the importance for Catholics to wholeheartedly embrace and profess in Jesus Christ as their salvation. He has said that prayer should not be reduced to a weekly 20 minutes, but should become part of life. He has stressed the importance of rejecting worldliness and putting spiritual principles first.
“Our life must be centred on what is essential, on Jesus Christ. Everything else is secondary.” – (9 Nov, 2013)
He has criticised unbridled capitalism and argues that the ‘cult of money’ is making people miserable. He has criticised the growing inequality within many societies.
“If money and material things become the center of our lives, they seize us and make us slaves” (29 Oct, 2013)
Pope Francis is the first pope from the Americas, and the first Jesuit Pope. Like Pope John Paul II, he is said to have a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. He is also fond of St Therese of Lisieux and often includes a picture of her in his letter.
In July 2014, he released ten tips for happiness which included:
- “Live and let live.”
- “Be giving of yourself to others.”
- “Proceed calmly” in life.
- Have “a healthy sense of leisure.”
- “Sunday is for family.”
- Be “creative” with young people and find innovative ways to create dignified jobs.
- Respect and take care of nature.
- Stop being negative. “Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy,” he said.
- “The worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes.”
- Work for peace. “We are living in a time of many wars,” he said. “The call for peace must be shouted.”
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