Remembering Pope Francis

Pope Francis died Monday, April 21 at 7:35 a.m. It was the day after Easter. He was 88 years old. The pope did not preside over most of his usual activities for Holy Week this year. He had recently spent weeks in the hospital with pneumonia and other health issues.

Pope Francis was elected as the Church’sleader in 2013 after the previous pope, Benedict XVI, resigned. Before his election as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis was known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. When elected pope in 2013, Pope Francis led a more modern Church. Technology allowed millions of people to learn the news of his election. He asked the world to pray for him. He soon counted millions among his followers on social media websites. He was the first pope to take the name of Francis of Assisi.

He focused on how Christ works in our lives, and he cared for migrants and the poorest among us. He established the World Day for the Poor and washed the feet of prisoners in Rome on Holy Thursday celebrations until this year, when his health only allowed him to visit. 

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen".