Happy Tuesday, everyone!As you probably know by now, Pope Francis passed away yesterday at the age of 88. He gave his last remarks on Easter Sunday- which I believe, was no coincidence. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936, Pope Francis served as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. He was a different kind of face for the Catholic Church- progressive even. He promoted social justice and climate change, inclusion of LGBTQ+ community members and even, acknowledged and apologized for the sexual abuse that was hidden by the clergy for many years. Before entering the priesthood, he took jobs as a nightclub bouncer, janitor and chemical technician, before entering into seminary in 1958. He took public transportation daily and lived in a small apartment while he served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. On March 13, 2013, he was elected Pope. In 2015, he published the encyclical Laudato Si’, where he discusses the importance of taking care of the earth and all of God’s creations. An excerpt: “ 1. “LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”.[1] 2. This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life. This is why the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she “groans in travail” (Rom 8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.” You can continue reading here… He was once quoted saying, “My people are poor and I am one of them.” Pope Francis chose to live not above, but alongside us. His lack of hubris and dedication to acceptance is something we can all learn to live by. Rest in Peace, Papa Francesco. 1936-2025
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