{"id":16083,"date":"2025-04-22T13:27:23","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T13:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=16083"},"modified":"2025-04-22T13:27:23","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T13:27:23","slug":"pope-francis-shared-final-wish-before-passing-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=16083","title":{"rendered":"Pope Francis shared final wish before passing away"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Pope
Pope Francis. Credit: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Pope Francis passed away yesterday, April 21, at the age of 88. The head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State was a beloved pope known for his simple living. The Vatican shared his last will and statement not long after his death, and Pope Francis made a special arrangement, which very few popes before him have.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The world is mourning the Argentina-born pope, who passed away on Monday after a string of publicized health issues. The leader of the Catholic Church was, in many ways, a modern pope, one who often shared his vision for social and economic justice, as well as an urgent call for action from world leaders on the climate crisis. With that said, Francis\u2019 approach to his role divided the ancient institution, with some arguing that he should not engage in politics.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,\u201d Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican\u2019s TV channel. \u201cAt 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His parents were Italian immigrants; his father, Mario, worked as an accountant for the railways, and his mother, Regina, was a stay-at-home mom. He had four siblings, and although he later chose the religious path in life, he initially graduated as a chemical technician in his home country.<\/p>\n

Francis entered the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto and the novitiate of the Society of Jesus in 1958. He studied humanities in Chile before returning to his home country in 1963 and earning a degree in philosophy from the Colegio de San Jos\u00e9 in San Miguel.<\/p>\n

After teaching literature and psychology in Santa F\u00e9 and Buenos Aires for two years, he studied theology and obtained a degree in the subject in 1970. However, a year before, he had already been ordained a priest.<\/p>\n

Pope Francis dead at 88<\/h2>\n

Pope Francis\u2019 career path within the church was nothing short of breathtaking. He was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina in 1973, a title he held for six years. He continued to hold several important titles within the church, but between 1980 and 1986, he served as rector at the Colegio of San Jos\u00e9 and as a professor of theology.<\/p>\n

In 1998, after being named titular bishop of Auca and auxiliary of Buenos Aires six years earlier, Francis became the archbishop of Buenos Aires. Three years later, his path to the Vatican was cleared when he was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II, who named him Cardinal-Priest of Saint Robert Bellarmine.<\/p>\n

When Pope John Paul II died in 2005, Francis was on the verge of becoming Pope. According to reports, he received the second-most votes in the papal conclave. The successor, however, was to be Pope Benedict XVI.<\/p>\n

When Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was named the next pope. He took the name Pope Francis and made history as the Catholic Church\u2019s first Latin-American pontiff \u2014 and what he did during his 12-year papacy would echo worldwide.<\/p>\n

Many, including some cardinals, have much to say about how Pope Francis tackled on his papacy. As the Catholic Church is an ancient institution, many believe things should remain the same as they have always been. However, Francis had other ideas, wanting to modernize the church.<\/p>\n

Pope Francis\u2019 progressive papacy<\/h2>\n

He became known for his progressive causes, such as advocating for immigrants and people experiencing poverty. He was also the first pope\u00a0to label\u00a0laws that criminalize homosexuality \u201cunjust.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moreover, Francis was an environmental activist. In 2015, he released a papal letter titled\u00a0\u201cLaudato Si\u2019<\/em>\u00a0(Praise Be to You),\u201d which concluded with a section in which the Pope called for action against climate change.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home. Here I want to recognize, encourage and thank all those striving in countless ways to guarantee the protection of the home which we share. Particular appreciation is owed to those who tirelessly seek to resolve the tragic effects of environmental degradation on the lives of the world\u2019s poorest. Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded,\u201d Pope Francis wrote.<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cI urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Pope Francis was praised for many reasons, there were also scandals. For example, the Catholic Church\u2019s sexual abuse scandal, in which Pope Francis discredited the survivors of abuse in Chile. Later, however, he apologized, calling it a \u201cgrave error.\u201d He also defrocked Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, who the Vatican found guilty of assaulting children and adults.<\/p>\n

Pope Francis was a \u201cfoodie,\u201d according to his chef<\/h2>\n

Pope Francis was a man of the people, and after becoming Pope he refused to change his lifestyle to a more lavish one. When he was elected, he declined to use the grand papal apartment on the top floor of the Vatican\u2019s Apostolic Palace, instead moving into a modest two-room residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, which has previously been used for guests.<\/p>\n

While some popes perhaps require a luxurious meal several times a day, that wasn\u2019t the case with Francis. Speaking with the Catholic news site\u00a0Aleteia<\/a>, chef Sergio Dussin, famous worldwide for being the chef of three popes, explained that Francis preferred \u201cbread and good cheese or a pizza.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrancis is a foodie; he eats good pasta and beans, bread and sopressa or polenta from Marano, and cheese. I\u2019ve also prepared pizza for him on occasion. He\u2019s unpredictable, that\u2019s just how he is: he sticks to the ceremony until he sees someone,\u201d Dussin said in 2022. \u201cThen he stops to give them a hug, or to hold a child in his arms, or to get up and greet my staff. I\u2019ve dedicated a dish to him on the menu of my restaurants: \u2018Ravioli papa Francesco,\u2019 a homemade pasta with Asiago cheese, Asiago speck and shavings of Collina Veneta cheese.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pope Francis suffered from health issues during large parts of his papacy. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, decided to take the extremely rare decision of resigning when he felt his health prevented him from continuing. In a 2024 sit-down with\u00a0CBS<\/a>\u00a0show\u00a060 Minutes<\/em>, Francis stated that he had never considered stepping down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have never thought of resigning\u201d<\/h2>\n

\u201cMaybe if the day comes when my health can go no further,\u201d he said. \u201cPerhaps because the only infirmity I have is in my knee, and that is getting much better. But it never occurred to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, in the 2024 book\u00a0Life: My Story Through History<\/em>,\u201d written by Italian journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona, Francis reflected on his life and the possibility of stepping down. In that case, he explained he would, unlike Pope Benedict XVI, use the title \u201cbishop of Rome emeritus\u201d rather than pope emeritus. He further stated that he would live at Rome\u2019s Basilica of St. Mary Major \u201cto serve as a confessor and give Communion to the sick\u201d rather than live inside the Vatican.<\/p>\n

\u201cFortunately, I have never thought of resigning, despite moments of difficulty,\u201d Pope Francis said in the book. \u201cSome people may have hoped that sooner or later, perhaps after a stay in the hospital, I might make an announcement of that kind, but there is no risk of it: thanks be to God, I enjoy good health, and as I have said, there are many projects to bring to fruition, God willing.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his last years, Pope Francis suffered from many health issues. He had only one full lung and had both the flu and two rounds of intestinal surgeries. Just a week ago, he was released from the hospital after spending 38 days there for a life-threatening respiratory condition. On Easter Sunday, Francis emerged into the St. Peter\u2019s Square crowd, and all appeared to be well. Less than 24 hours later, he passed away at age 88.<\/p>\n

Pope Francis\u2019 last wish<\/h2>\n

On Monday night, released by the Holy See Press Office, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, stated that Pope Francis\u2019 cause of death had been identified as a stroke followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. His death was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hereby declare that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above,\u201d Dr. Arcangeli said, per\u00a0Vatican News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The exact details about Pope Francis\u2019 funeral have not yet been released. However, his will and testament were released not long after his death. Unlike many other popes before him, Francis has decided not to be buried in the Vatican.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only with regard to the place of my burial. I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy,\u201d Pope Francis wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary where I went for prayer at the beginning and end of each Apostolic Journey to confidently entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and thank Her for her docile and maternal care. I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica as indicated in the enclosed attachment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay the Lord give the deserved reward to those who have loved me\u201d<\/h2>\n

It came as a surprise to many that Pope Francis wished to not be buried in the Vatican. However, the late Pope did one last thing to prove that he is a man of the people: he requested that no inscriptions on the tomb mention his role as Pope.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus. The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum of the benefactor that I have arranged, to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and of which I have provided appropriate instructions to Mons. Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter,\u201d Francis continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay the Lord give the deserved reward to those who have loved me and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that has become present in the last part of my life I have offered to the Lord for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. Please share this article on Facebook with friends and family to honor him.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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