Pope Francis, the first pontiff from South America, has passed away at the age of 88.
The Vatican’s camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell — who assumes temporary authority during the transition between popes — announced the pontiff’s death on Monday after an extended illness brought on by double pneumonia.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis was the oldest of five siblings. His father, Mario Bergoglio, was an accountant from Italy who emigrated to Argentina to escape Mussolini’s fascist rule, according to Vatican records. His mother, Regina Maria Sivori, descended from a Catholic family also originally from Italy.
As a young man, Bergoglio worked various odd jobs, including as a custodian, nightclub bouncer, and lab technician, before pursuing religious life and becoming a priest in 1969. In 1998, he was named archbishop of Buenos Aires, and in 2001, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II. Within the Curia, he held important responsibilities and developed a strong reputation. At the 2001 Synod, he took over a leading role from Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, who remained in New York following the 9/11 attacks. His performance during the synod left a strong impression on his fellow cardinals.
During the 2005 conclave that led to the election of Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio reportedly finished second in every round of voting, coming close to ascending the papacy at 68.
When Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013 — the first resignation of its kind since 1415 — Bergoglio emerged as a favored choice to usher in reform and transparency within the scandal-hit Church.
On February 28, 2013, the conclave selected him to lead the Catholic world. He chose the name Francis to pay tribute to St. Francis of Assisi.
Elected at 76, Francis dealt with multiple health challenges throughout his leadership, leading to speculation at times that he might voluntarily step down — something he never did, although he acknowledged the possibility.
{Matzav.com}
please remove picture of rasha and replace it with something generic, like a white kippa.
Matzav wont show a picture of a woman who is dressed modestly but this shtick drek of an avi avois hatuma they feature prominently.
thank you hashem for killing this anti-semite
Something must be coming up if they’re finally reporting it now after 4 years.
Good riddance
Wow! from night club bouncer to Fofe – just shows the morality of the crunch
Avi avos hatumah. Thank God
Ding dong.
Even the low standards of that office, he was sick horrid
Wasn’t a fan of his, but the people writing comments have to have more Seichel.
1) Not appropriate to be cheering about people dying. We all know the Gemara about “Maaseh Yudi Tovim Bayom”. Obviously, we can celebrate when our direct enemies, like Hamas members, are killed. But the Pope, as bad as some of his comments were, was not in that catergory.
2) Antisemites can easily look at our comments and it can lead to more antisemitism.
I agree, but the responsibility falls on Matzav’s shoulders who publish all the comments. And the articles that will breed these comments.
…assuming this comment will be published.
True. We must put our head down in complete submission. I still have the sign on my back, with an arrow pointing downward, which states, kick me here.