In 2013, on March 13, a new pope named Francis was elected, who became the 266th head of the Catholic world and the first pope from the Jesuit Order and from the New World. And already at the end of August 2014, Francis, the Pope, told reporters that due to health problems he might abdicate the throne. He then embarked on a reform that simplified the process of declaring a marriage invalid.
In February 2021, a grandiose event took place in the Christian world - at Havana airport, Pope Francis met with Russian Patriarch Kirill. This was the first meeting of this level in the entire history of the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
Interview
One day, the pontiff’s statements in an interview with the famous correspondent of the Italian publishing house La Repubblica Eugenio Scalfari attracted close public attention, where the pope touched upon such sensitive topics in the Catholic Church as pedophilia, the problem of celibacy (mandatory celibacy in the clergy) and involvement in the mafia. Regarding celibacy, the pope promised to solve this painful problem for Catholic priests.
But speaking of pedophilia, Francis, the Pope, clearly emphasized that this shame is now in our home, this is a “leprosy” that has struck the church. According to the data presented, 2% of pedophiles are priests, and among them there are bishops and cardinals. Many people know about this, but prefer to remain silent. It is this problem that the pontiff has vowed to approach with all the seriousness and severity it deserves.
Further, regarding the mafia, dad noted that our exposure in this matter will be constant. Once, during a pastoral visit to Calabria (Italy), he excommunicated a mafioso. Francis said that he knows that the same mafiosi also go to church and receive communion, and therefore noted that the mercy of our Lord is limitless, but will never fall into a trap.
Traditions of electing a pontiff
According to the canons of the Catholic Church, the period of time between the abdication of the current Pope from the throne (and often from the moment of his death) until the election of a new one is called Sede Vacante.
Usually this period does not exceed 20 days (in the 20th century there was not a single case with a longer period of time). However, the then-current Pope John Paul II in 1996 adopted an apostolic constitution called Universi Dominici Gregis, which corrected the process of electing the Roman pontiff. According to the document, a conclave cannot be convened earlier than 15 and later than 20 days from the moment the throne is declared vacant. No more than 120 cardinals under the age of 80 can take part in the vote. The final election of the Pope is considered valid if one of the candidates wins two-thirds of the votes, but no more than 4 votes can be held per day.
Revolutionary
Regarding the newly elected American President Donald Trump, Francis, the Pope, said that he does not want to evaluate people and politicians, because he wants to understand the suffering that they bring to all the disadvantaged and outcast, and he will evaluate the work of the American President by his attitude towards refugees and emigrants. After all, they face hostility and aggression from people who are worried and afraid of losing their jobs. The pope believes the problem reflects an unjust global economic system, where money works against refugees and immigrants and where the poor in rich countries fear the arrival of their fellow sufferers from poor countries. Therefore, the only correct solution is to break this wall that separates them all.
But as it became known, Trump is preparing to sign several anti-immigrant bills, and among them is a significant restriction on refugees.
Inequality
In addition, Francis, the Pope, believes that inequality is the greatest evil existing in the world. The reason for this is money, and this is precisely what goes against the necessary measures that will promote equality.
Journalist Scalfari noted that such statements by the pontiff are close to Marxism, but Pope Francis said that it is precisely the communists who think like Christians. As a result, Scalfari wrote that Francis behaves like a revolutionary, but all this goes beyond the scope of revolution.
Pope Francis: photo, biography
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936 in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. His father, Mario Giuseppe Bergoglio, was an Italian immigrant and railroad worker. The mother's name was Regina Maria Sivori. He became the fifth child in the family and, having studied to become a chemical engineer, went to study at the Villa Devoto Seminary in Buenos Aires. In 1958 he joined the Jesuit Order. The future pope completed his novitiate in Chile, then furthered his education in Buenos Aires, at the College of St. Joseph, and became the holder of a licentiate degree in philosophy. The Pontiff speaks three languages: Spanish, Italian and German.
The last Pope Francis is a big fan of Argentine football and is a fan of the San Lorenzo team.
Francis himself admitted that shortly before the start of his ministry, he worked part-time as a security guard at a nightclub, and was also a laboratory assistant and cleaner. When he was elected pope, white smoke coming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on the second day announced that the decision had been finally made. Bergoglio was the only Jesuit among the cardinal electors, and he was not among the favorites. However, in 2005, as it turned out, it was he who was the main competitor of Pope Benedict XVI, who in 2013 abdicated his post as head of the Catholic Church.
On the way to the papacy
In 1967, the young man underwent spiritual training at St. Joseph's College in his hometown, earned an academic licentiate degree in philosophy, and taught at Catholic educational institutions in the capital and Santa Fe. He also attended the philosophical and theological department at the capital's College of San Miguel, was a master of the novices and served as professor of theology.
Pope Francis in his youth
At the age of 33, the young man was ordained to the priesthood. In 1970-1971 completed the third stage of spiritual training at the famous University of Alcala de Henares, located in the suburbs of Madrid, where many outstanding personalities studied - Tirso de Molina, Lope de Vega, Miguel de Cervantes. In 1973, Jorge took the final, fourth vow - submission to the Pope, and soon received the title of provincial superior of Argentina.
Upon expiration of his term of office in this position in 1980, he was approved as rector of his native educational institution, St. Joseph. Before taking up his new duties, he studied English for three months in Dublin, at the Jesuit center of the Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy. After 6 years in office, he spent several months in Frankfurt studying for a master's degree, Jorge defended his doctoral research work and, upon his return, took up another high post - the spiritual director of the archdiocese and confessor in Cordoba.
Pope Francis studied a lot to take such a high position
In 1992, by decision of the highest theological leadership, he was recognized as an auxiliary bishop of the capital. In the same year, he was consecrated bishop, and 5 years later he was appointed coadjutor of the cardinal, Archbishop Antonio Quarracino, that is, a successor with the right to automatically acquire the position “by inheritance.”
As a result, after the death of Quarracino in 1998, Bergoglio became a cardinal and acquired the title of Cardinal Priest of the Cathedral of San Roberto Bellarmino. In his new position, he received five posts in the administrative body of the Holy See and the Vatican - the Roman Curia.
In 2001, he personally visited a hospice for poor people dying of AIDS. He washed and kissed the feet of twelve sufferers, emphasizing that Christ himself did not shy away from lepers.
In 2005-2011 he was the head of the Bishops' Conference of the entire country.
Pope Francis officially ascended the throne. In 2013, at the conclave, Bergoglio was elected supreme sovereign pontiff, Pope of Rome. By status, he also received the title of Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. As a papal name, he took the name Francis in honor of the Catholic saint, patron saint of the poor.
In 2021, at the Havana airport building, he met with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. As a result of the meeting, which was held at such a high level for the first time since the Great Schism (church schism) of 1054, a document was signed calling for pan-Christian unity.
Theologian
Cardinal Bergoglio was distinguished by modesty and doctrinal conservatism, as well as dedication to the cause of social justice. Once upon a time, he lived in a small apartment that did not at all resemble the archbishop's palace, dressed quite modestly, did not use a limousine with a driver, choosing public transport, and even cooked his own food.
The Pontiff is an excellent theologian who immediately distanced himself from “liberation theology.” In his worldview, he is close to the Catholic intra-church movement called Comunione e Liberazione, founded in the 1950s by the priest Luigi Giussiani.
Cardinal Bergoglio called on his clergy and laity to actively oppose abortion and euthanasia. He accepts church teaching and condemns homosexuality, and in 2010 the pope opposed a law allowing same-sex marriage in Argentina. However, he believes that it is necessary to show respect for sexual minorities.
Personal life of Pope Francis
The head of Catholics is known for personal modesty, simplicity in communication, commitment to social justice, and doctrinal conservatism.
He always used public transport, refused gifts, and also adhered to traditional church views regarding priestly celibacy, homosexuality, abortion, contraception, euthanasia, and the ordination of women as priests. After being elected pope, he chose to live not in the luxurious papal chambers of the Apostolic Palace, but in a guest house. He chose silver to make the papal ring (instead of gold), wore vestments devoid of expensive jewelry, and ate in the usual dining room for priests. He is a fan of the outstanding writer and philosopher Fyodor Dostoevsky and Russian classics Jorge Borges and Leopoldo Marechal. In the morning, the pontiff gets up at 4 o'clock and goes to bed at 9 pm. He completely abandoned television in 1994, but really loves films with the famous actress, dancer and singer Tita Merello. His Holiness also enjoys opera, folk music, tango and football. He is a long-time fan of the strongest football club in his home country, San Lorenzo.
Pope Francis: The Last Christmas
I would like to remind you that in 2015 the Pontiff made a very gloomy statement that this Christmas could be the last for all people. The chaotic state of the world, famine and destruction herald the beginning of the "end time", and perhaps next year it will become unrecognizable. A little earlier, he announced the beginning of the third world war.
At the end of 2021, wishing peace to countries where there is war, and mentioning Syria and Ukraine, Pope Francis (Christmas as a holiday of love and goodness contributed greatly to this) called on international communities to make every effort to peacefully resolve conflicts. The Pontiff called for urgent assistance to the residents of Aleppo, wished peace to the Palestinians, Israelis, residents of various African regions, as well as the people of the entire planet.
The Vatican has promised to send humanitarian aid to eastern Ukraine in the amount of 6 million euros.
Personal life
Pope Francis's personal life is entirely about the clergy and his belief in God. He leads a very modest lifestyle, preaches compassion for all sick and poor people, and often visits slums and hospices. The pontiff’s impeccable biography makes him one of the few high-ranking dignitaries who did not have “dark spots” in their lives. Even as an archbishop, he traveled to church by metro, renouncing the privileges due to him, and arrived in Rome with only one suitcase of personal belongings.
Pope Francis is a football fan
The head of the Catholic Church has completely abandoned television, which he vowed back in 1994, and adheres to the ideals of evangelical poverty - he does not have luxury apartments, a popemobile or a personal chef. At the same time, he also has worldly weaknesses. Pope Francis is a devoted fan of the Argentine football club San Lorenzo and became an official member of the club's fans in 2008.
In 2021, it became known that the pontiff will play in the adventure film “Beyond the Sun”, in which the plot will be based on the New Testament, and the main characters will be children in the roles of the twelve apostles. Francis himself asked to make such a film so that children all over the planet could understand the message of Jesus Christ.
