Pope Francis dies at 88, remembered as reformist and champion of the marginalized

Pope Francis died on April 20 at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said. “His life was devoted to the service of the Lord and the Church.”

Francis had recently resumed public activities after a 38-day hospitalization for pneumonia. He made his final appearance on Easter, blessing crowds from a wheelchair at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Elected in 2013 as the first pope from the Americas, Francis was known for his humility and reformist stance. He advocated for marginalized groups, emphasized compassion over judgment, and famously said in 2013, “Who am I to judge?” regarding gay individuals seeking God.

He urged peace during global conflicts, publicly calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. In 2014, he visited South Korea, where he met President Park Geun-hye and baptized a father of a Sewol ferry victim.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, he became the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. Known for his modest lifestyle and love of football, he remained a powerful voice for justice and mercy in the modern Church.

ⓒ "젊은 파워, 모바일 넘버원 아시아투데이"