As three weeks have passed since Pope Francis (88) was hospitalized with pneumonia symptoms, global concern is growing. Reports that his condition was once critical have left many people anxiously watching his progress. Considering the precedent of a pope succeeding while his predecessor was still alive, there is speculation about the possibility of his resignation, but in reality, that is unlikely. This is because Pope Francis has always believed that "the mission of the pope continues until the end of his life."

Pope Francis stated this in his recently published autobiography in Korea, 'My Life' (Willbook). As if foreseeing the current situation, he said, "Some may wish for me to be hospitalized soon and announce my resignation, but I will carry out my apostolic mission until my last breath."

Pope Francis. AFP·Yonhap News

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This book contains conversations between Pope Francis and a Vatican journalist about the historical moments he has experienced. It introduces the pope's life story related to various global issues, from experiencing World War II at age three, to the Holocaust, COVID-19, and the Ukraine war. The pope said, "Telling one's life story is one of the most beautiful and intimate ways of communication," and added, "A life story allows us to discover small and simple things we have not found until now, and as the Gospel says, it is from those small things that something great is born."

Pope Francis grew up hearing stories about the Jewish Holocaust happening around him. Many Jewish customers visited his father's dye business, and as a result, the pope was able to sense the atrocities of the Nazis from around the age of five. "Even while playing, Jewish children rarely smiled, and their eyes were full of sadness. I think they knew what was happening to their people and relatives. Even now, when I meet children from war zones, I see the same look. There is not a trace of laughter in their eyes, and they always try hard to force a smile."

The Salesian boarding school, which Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis' birth name) entered in 1948 with the help of a priest, was a perfect place for young Jorge Mario Bergoglio to learn. At the age of twelve, he felt a calling to serve the poor as a priest. "There, I learned how to open my heart to others and share what I have with those poorer than myself. After all, a cassock is not supposed to have pockets."

The Salesian boarding school, which he entered in 1948 with the help of a priest, was a perfect place of learning for young Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis' birth name). There, he not only learned how to acquire knowledge but also learned the spirit of healthy competition through sports and became deeply immersed in Catholic culture. At the age of twelve, he felt the calling to serve as a priest for the poor. "There I learned how to open my heart to others and how to share what I have with those poorer than myself. After all, shrouds have no pockets."

Pope Francis never lost his compassion for the poor. Even his papal name reflects this meaning. As pope, he refused the luxurious traditional papal residence and also rejected the ornate red shoes symbolizing the pope. When he first presided over Mass, he asked bishops and local clergy from his homeland, Argentina, not to attend and to donate the saved expenses to the poor instead.

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However, his strong emphasis on poverty led some to criticize him as a communist or Marxist. In response, the pope quoted the Bible (Acts 4:32), saying, "Not everyone who sides with the poor is a communist." He explained, "It was the pure form of the early Christian community," and added, "The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed any of their possessions as their own, but they shared everything they had."

On the controversial issues within the Church, such as recognition of same-sex or transgender marriage, he expressed a clear opposition. "We do not have the authority to change the sacrament established by the Lord. The sacrament of marriage is only for the union of one man and one woman." However, he insisted that LGBTQ+ people should not be excluded. The pope said, "God loves everyone, especially sinners," and emphasized, "We must help them feel that the Church is like home."

Pope Francis (left) is posing for a photo with his younger brother Oscar during their childhood. Photo by AP and Yonhap News

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Pope Francis did not hide his human weaknesses either. Although he lived considering the poor as family, he had little interaction with his mother's five siblings. The pope confessed that because the relationship between his mother and her siblings was not good, he rarely saw them as a child. He said that occasional family quarrels left him with deep wounds.

The Pope compared corruption to bad breath that is difficult to notice and emphasized that people around must point it out. He also appealed to the powerful leaders around the world, saying, "We cannot shake off worries about the wars shaking the world and the Third World War. Lay down your weapons. Lay down the bombs. Stop the craving for power. I speak in the name of God. Please stop. Enough is enough. I beg you."

The pope also did not hesitate to warn against corruption in society. "When a corrupt person exercises power, he always drags others into his own corruption and brings them down to his level. A corrupt person cannot escape his condition by conscience alone. That is because he has anesthetized his own soul."

The pope compared corruption to bad breath, which is hard to notice oneself, and stressed that those around must point it out. He made this appeal to those in power around the world: "I cannot shake off my worries about the wars shaking the world and the possibility of a third world war. Lay down your weapons. Lay down your bombs. Stop your thirst for power. I say this in the name of God. Please, stop. Enough is enough. I beg you, please."

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My Life | Written by Pope Francis | Willbook | 296 pages | 19,800 KRW