Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church and Argentina’s first non-European pope, has died at the age of 88. Elected the first non-European pope in 13 centuries, Francis became known for his liberal, political and controversial views. His childhood name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He was born into an Italian immigrant family in Buenos Aires in 1936. At the age of 12, he fell in love with a girl named Amalia. According to Amalia, the parents of both did not agree to the love of their children at such a young age, but still George proposed to marry Amalia.
“He said if I didn’t say yes, he would have to become a priest,” Amalia recalled with a laugh, according to The Daily Mail. I refused and it was lucky for them. “This can be seen as the most important rejection in history. Because George not only became a priest, but he also became the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Elected pope in 2013, Francis has won admirers around the world with his simplicity and informal style. “If someone is gay and seeks God, who am I to judge him?
Discussions on these issues
Francis also championed left-wing issues, moving away from the conservative policies of his predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. In 2022, he refused to directly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which caused controversy. His comments were diplomatic and neutral. He called the war cruel. He adopted a conciliatory attitude towards China, which led to him being accused of handing over China’s underground churches to communist oppression.
He also worked as a bouncer
Born into a middle-class family in Buenos Aires, Bergoglio did not always want to be a priest. As a teenager, he worked as a nightclub bouncer. He was fond of dancing. At the age of 21, part of his right lung was removed due to pneumonia. However, he led a normal life. In 1958, after a confession, he was inspired to become a priest. In 2001 he became a cardinal and in 2013, after the historic resignation of Benedict XVI, he was elected pope. He chose to stay in the Vatican guest house and not in the traditional papal apartment.
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