BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
The world was met with somber news on April 21 as Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88.
His death at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, after a 38-day hospital stay due to double pneumonia, triggered an outpouring of grief and remembrance of his transformative leadership.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis had a humble beginning.
He once worked as a bouncer and janitor before studying chemistry and entering priesthood in 1969.
He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and was elected pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
He was the first Jesuit pope and the first to hail from the Americas.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was widely recognized for his focus on social justice, addressing issues like poverty, climate change, clerical abuse, and inclusivity within the Church.
He actively called for unity among different religions and emphasized compassion, particularly for marginalized communities.
In the Philippines, Catholics gathered in churches to offer prayers for Pope Francis, recalling his memorable visit to the country in 2015, where his message of love and hope deeply resonated with the poor.
Despite facing criticism, he remained steadfast in pushing for reforms that aimed to bring the Church closer to the people.
His legacy lives on in the reforms he championed and the compassion he embodied.
The world bids farewell to a leader who sought to unite humanity through love and understanding.
