Pope Francis has passed away today, at the age of 88, after his last hospitalization at Gemelli in Rome and two weeks of recovery at his residence. The clinical picture presented by the Argentine was complex and he could not overcome the treatment.
The tests carried out in the last few days on Pope Francis "have shown a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract that has required further modification of the therapy", "the complex clinical picture will require appropriate hospitalization" and the general audience of this Wednesday has been canceled, the Holy See reported in the latest update.
Until the last moment, the Pope was dedicated to his duties. The Pontiff called the parish of the Holy Family, the only Catholic church in Gaza. The Pope used to call the parish every day, since the war began, where 600 people are taking refuge, and he wanted to continue doing so during his hospitalization.
It is not the first time during his tenure that the Pope had to cancel his agenda due to his health condition. There were trips that he had to cancel for the same reason. Precisely, the destinations chosen for his trips always sparked discussion due to the level of danger in the countries he visited. His visit to Iraq, for example, was historic.
The election of Francis marked a radical change in the Church. Not only was he the first Jesuit Pope in the history of the Church, but also the first Latin American. He was elected at the age of 76 and his name was not among the main contenders. It is said that he himself tearfully asked his 'sponsors' to abstain from voting for him in that Conclave.
The purpose for which he was elected was to regenerate the Church and clean up the Vatican after the scandals. In his first message when he appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, he showed his humility. A way of being that marked his Pontificate.
As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he did not live in the cardinal's palace, but in a regular apartment. He would take the bus to work every day. And he would cook for himself.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936. He studied and graduated as a chemical engineer, but chose the priesthood and entered the seminary of Villa Devoto. It was on March 11, 1958, when he joined the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. With a degree in Philosophy, he completed his training in Chile, where he studied Humanities.
Between 1964 and 1965, he was a professor of Literature and Psychology at the College of the Immaculate Conception in Santa Fe, and later focused on Theology at the 'San José' college in San Miguel.
He was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969. Twenty-three years later, John Paul II appointed him titular bishop of Auca and auxiliary of Buenos Aires. In February 2001, he was made a cardinal.