By Ghazali Ibrahim
As the world is celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Pope Francis breath his last at early Monday morning. Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
His 12-year papacy was marked by humility, reform, and a focus on the Church’s social mission.
Here are five key things to know about the man who reshaped the modern papacy:
1. From Bouncer to Bishop
Long before donning the papal white, Francis worked as a nightclub bouncer in Buenos Aires. The job, which he held in his youth, helped him develop street smarts and people skills that later shaped his pastoral approach. He also worked as a janitor and a chemistry technician before entering the seminary. These humble beginnings grounded his down-to-earth style as pope.
2. A Historic First
Francis was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. Born in Argentina to Italian immigrants, his election in 2013 marked a dramatic geographic and ideological shift in Church leadership.
3. Advocate for the Marginalized
He championed the poor, refugees, and those on the edges of society. He made headlines by washing the feet of prisoners and Muslims during Holy Week and consistently spoke out against inequality and injustice.
4. A Sustainable Development Advocate
Francis made environmental protection a central part of his message. His encyclical Laudato Si’ called for urgent climate action, framing care for the planet as a spiritual duty and a moral responsibility.
5. A Reformer in the Vatican
He pushed for accountability in the Church, especially regarding financial transparency and clergy abuse. Though his reforms stirred both praise and resistance, Francis remained committed to making the Church more inclusive and responsive to modern realities.
