Pope Francis' family, who passed away this Monday in Rome, was founded by an Italian immigrant in Argentina. It was the 1920s. Giovanni Angelo, Pope Francis' grandfather, left Piedmont, the northern region of Italy, and soon after started a family: Mario José, one of his sons, had the first of the five children on December 17, 1936, and named him Jorge Mario, with the last name Bergoglio.
The Pope grew up in the Flores neighborhood in Buenos Aires, within a working-class family. Mario José, his father, worked on the railroad. His mother, Regina María Sívori, was a homemaker, in charge of caring for the five children. Alberto Horacio, Marta Regina, María Elena, and Óscar Adrián. Of all Bergoglio's siblings, only María Elena is still alive. She lives in Argentina and has always stayed away from the spotlight. Francis used to call her every Sunday, faithful to his custom of staying close to his roots, but he did not see his sister throughout his time as Pontiff. In his autobiography Esperanza, he fondly recalled the difficult times of his family, the shared sacrifices, and the importance of a smile in the face of adversity.
Before pursuing his religious vocation, Jorge Mario studied chemistry. However, he ended up in the seminary. While training with the Jesuits, he learned of his father's death, after suffering a heart attack during a soccer match in 1961. At the age of 21, part of his lung was removed due to a severe infection. He always recounted the anecdote of the nurse who, disobeying the doctor's orders, doubled the dose of antibiotics, saving his life.
He was ordained a priest in 1969. Since then, his rise within the Church was constant: provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, auxiliary bishop, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and in 2001, cardinal appointed by Pope John Paul II. On March 13, 2013, after the resignation of Benedict XVI, he was elected as the 266th Pope, the first of Latin American origin and the first Jesuit.
Francis chose to live simply, moving away from the traditional papal apartment to inhabit a more modest residence. His approachable style, clear language, and focus on social justice marked his pontificate. He inspired young people, defended the cause of the poor, engaged in dialogue with other religions, and promoted a more open and compassionate Church.
His passion for soccer, especially for the San Lorenzo de Almagro club, was a very present part of his identity. He kept his membership card and followed the games whenever he could. He was also a big fan of tango, opera, and poetry. He listened to opera on Saturdays with his mother since his adolescence, and felt a special affinity for composers like Mozart, Wagner, and Beethoven. Among his favorite works was Chagall's The White Crucifixion, and his favorite movie, Fellini's La Strada.
His legacy also extends to his younger family. His nephew José, son of María Elena, founded Haciendo lío, an organization inspired by the Pope's call to create chaos in favor of social justice. Another nephew, Felipe Bergoglio, currently plays as a defender for the Italian club Castiglione 1919 and vividly remembers the day his great-uncle was elected Pope, when he was just ten years old.