From his Unusual interview to the Fantastico programme on a Brazilian TV in 2013, Pope Francis who has been in hospital for about three weeks, said “I don’t feel afraid, I know that no one dies before their Time”.
According to Vatican news, Pope Francis, struggling with Pneumonia, had a restful night and woke up shortly after 8:00 on March 07″.
Who is Pope Francis
Pope Francis 89, Born and raised with a name Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina is the head of the Catholic Church but also the head of the Vatican City state.
Born to Mario Jose Bergoglio and Regina Maria Sivori of Argentina in southern America Pope Francis is the eldest of five children.
Pope Francis was ordained priest in 1969 under the congregation of the Society of Jesus also known as the Jesuit order is the first pope from the congregation to rise to the Papal seat but also the First priest to become a pope but raised from outside Europe.
The congregation he Joined after he recovered from severe Illness.
Before his rise to the Papal seat in Vatican Italy Pope Francis served as a Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Society of Jesus later he was consecrated an Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires but also he was Titular Bishop of Auca.
He was created a cardinal in 2001 by then John Paul II appointing him to be the Cardinal Priest of San Roberto Bellarmino From 2001-2013.
Following the resignation of Pope Benedicto XVI in 2013 the papal Conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor.
Why Francis ?
Changing names is a tradition in the Catholic Church for Pontiffs once elected to represent a change of Image and hope of the leader they admire to be.
Pope Francis named himself Pope Francis after being elected, which he derived from the Saint Francis of Assisi Who represented Poverty and Peace in the 12th and 13th Centuries.
He chose the name Francis in Honor of the Saint who he emulates of his humility, concern for the poor but has also emphasized God’s mercy for all in his teachings
Saint Francis of Assis was a poet and one known to be with God and a catholic friar, who lived a life a Christian life of poverty and did beg as he preached.
He was designated the Patron saint of Italy. Saint Francis founded the religious congregation of the Fransicans. The reason Pope Francis was inspired to choose his name.
Pope Francis Health
At the age of 21 Francis was diagnosed with Pneumonia and three cysts which forced the doctors to remove part of lung.
Shortly after he was elected at the age of 76, Francis was reported to be healthy and his doctors said the lung tissue removed in his youth does not significantly affect his health, however, said that the only concern would be decreased breathing if he had a respiratory infection.
In 2023, the Pope was rushed to hospital with a respiratory infection, though he returned and celebrated Easter Vigil Mass.
He has publicly used a wheel chair since 2022 after undergoing a knee treatment which persistent with pain and required an operation.
On 14th February 2025, the pope was taken to Gemelli Hospital due to bronchitis, however, his hospital stay was extended to allow clinical checkups that also diagnosed Pneumonia and asthmatic respiratory crisis.
Pope Francis LGBTQ Sentiments
He maintains that the catholic Church should be more sympathetic towards the members of the LGBTQ community and that the Individuals should be blessed as long as the blessings are not given in a high Mass. He has on several occasions criticized the rise of what he termed as populism that called for the decriminalization of homosexuality.
Pope Francis shortly after his visit from South Sudan he denounced the anti-gay laws sating that they were a sin and an injustice to the children of God, he asked parents not to abandon their homosexual children but love them equally as the Lord would love them back.
In 2013 Pope Francis said “Who am I to Judge” reaffirming the catholic Church’s Position towards the Homosexuals. Since then Pope Francis has kept his word.
Outstanding Legacy
Pope Francis will be remembered for making women full members of different departments (Dicastries/Curia) in the Roman catholic church.
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