Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died after a long battle with pneumonia. Before his ascension to the papacy, Jorge Mario Bergoglio earned the nickname ‘the priest of the slums’ for his tireless work in Argentina’s poorest neighborhoods.
The People’s Pope: Buenos Aires Remembers Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Voice for the Poor
Locals hail pontiff’s work in city’s poorest neighbourhoods – but express sadness that he never came back as pope
Elected in 2013, Pope Francis has implemented significant reforms within the Catholic Church.
He has emphasized a need for greater transparency and accountability, particularly regarding financial dealings.
Additionally, he has taken steps to address clerical sex abuse cases and promote interfaith dialogue.
His papacy has also seen increased focus on environmental issues and social justice.
Statistics show that under his leadership, the number of Catholics in Africa has grown by 30%.
He has also been recognized for his efforts to bridge the gap between the Church and modern society.
Pope Francis takes the metro in Buenos Aires in May 2008.
Photograph: Emiliano Lasalvia/LatinContent/Getty Images
Before he left Argentina and moved to Italy to become pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio would visit the country’s villas miserias. He would come here, kiss our feet, the feet of the people,” said Aida Bogarin, aged 44.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He studied chemistry and philosophy at the University of Buenos Aires before becoming a Jesuit priest.
Bergoglio taught literature and theology at several schools and served as provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina.
He became known for his work with the poor and marginalized during the Argentine military dictatorship.
For decades, Bergoglio was dedicated to working in the capital’s poorest neighbourhoods, earning him the nickname the “priest of the slums.” In Villa 21-24, locals have gathered for months to say their prayers for the pontiff as he experienced a serious case of double pneumonia. But on Monday, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic church, had died.
“It was a privilege when he came here to us,” said Juan Ramón Congo, a 60-year-old cook, speaking at the Virgen de los Milagros de Caacupé parish church in Villa 21-24. “He would walk around, listen to us, it helped us a lot. I miss him being here, eating chipás and sharing mate.”
Bergoglio was born in 1936 in the working-class barrio of Floresta to a family of Italian migrants. His grandparents had emigrated on the steamer Giulio Cesare in 1929 for new opportunities, and also to escape the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini.
As a young man, Bergoglio initially found work as a bouncer and janitor before later graduating in philosophy. After 13 years of study, he became a priest, and in the following decades he was placed in charge of the Jesuits of Argentina, became an auxiliary bishop and then archbishop of Buenos Aires.
The people of Villa 21-24 have always felt marginalised, underlooked, cast aside. But Bergoglio’s presence, and the way he treated them, gave them dignity. Father Lorenzo de Vedia, known as Padre Toto, first met Bergoglio when he was still a young priest.
“He would come into the villas and listen to everyone,” said Padre Toto. “The people of the villa have always felt very marginalised, underlooked, cast aside. But his presence, and the way he treated them, gave them dignity.”
Bergoglio acted too. After a big storm crushed someone, and the insurance did not pay out, he secured assistance for the family. After another storm destroyed the roof of a sports centre, he helped get it fixed.
“His qualities – his humanity, his humility – surprised the world when he became pope, but it did not surprise those of us who knew him,” said Padre Toto.
The pontiff had helped build up the community, says Sebastian Morales, aged 37. “I started coming here 10 years ago, when I was a drug addict, and the priests – led by the pope’s messages – helped me.”
But the pope’s followers were disappointed that he never came back to Argentina since becoming head of the Catholic church in 2013 – despite making dozens of other international trips.
“I don’t know why he has never come back. Perhaps because of politics, perhaps because Argentina legalised abortion,” said Bogarin.
Jimmy Burns, author of the 2015 biography Francis, Pope of Good Promise, told Reuters that he believed Francis did not want to be seen siding either with the left-leaning Peronists or the conservatives.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, is the first Jesuit Pope and the first Pope from the Americas.
He was elected on March 13, 2013, succeeding 'Pope Benedict XVI'.
Known for his humble and compassionate approach, he has focused on issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.
A strong advocate for social justice, he has also emphasized the importance of mercy and forgiveness.
His papacy has been marked by significant reforms within the Catholic Church.
“Any visit would try and be exploited by one side or the other, and he would unwittingly fuel those divisions,” said Burns.
The current government is led by hard-right president Javier Milei, who during election campaigning said the pontiff was “always standing on the side of evil”. Francis also criticised Milei’s government, accusing it of preferring to use pepper spray against protesters than pay for social justice.
