Passing of Pope Francis

Appealed on issues of war and migrants until the day before his death

"There are no pockets in a shroud"

Emphasized a life of poverty... Looked after the marginalized

Pope Francis. Yonhap News

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Pope Francis, who passed away on the morning of the 21st (local time), was known for frequently saying, "There are no pockets in a shroud," and practiced a life of integrity throughout his lifetime. He reformed vested interests and stood by the marginalized. After being hospitalized for pneumonia for 38 days, he was discharged on the 23rd of last month, which led to speculation that he might step down from the papacy. However, true to his long-held belief that "the mission of the pope continues until the end of one's life," he fulfilled his duties until his last breath.

From his election to his actions as pope, he broke conventions in many ways. He was the first pope from the New World, and the first non-European pope in 1,282 years. Pope Francis was born in December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a family of Italian immigrants. In his youth, he was passionate about soccer and tango like any other young man, and even fell in love with a beautiful woman. Later, he chose the path of priesthood, joined the Jesuit order, and served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, the largest diocese in Argentina. After the abdication of Benedict XVI in 2013, he was elected pope in the conclave. He later recalled that he bought a round-trip plane ticket to Rome and never imagined he would become pope. Francis is considered the most progressive pope in history.

The pope also demonstrated a dramatic break from tradition in his attire. Instead of the traditional red papal shoes, he continued to wear the black shoes he had worn since his days as a cardinal, and he chose to live in the 'Casa Santa Marta,' a guesthouse used for temporary lodging, rather than the luxurious official papal residence. His request after his election that clergy from his native Argentina not attend his first Mass but instead use the travel expenses to help the poor is a well-known example of his humility. His emphasis on poverty led some to criticize him as a 'Marxist.'

His inclusive attitude toward minorities and the vulnerable was also notable. He showed warmth toward children of single mothers, migrants, and refugees. On the sensitive issue of homosexuality within the Catholic Church, he maintained an open stance, saying, "God loves everyone, especially sinners." Accordingly, he allowed blessings for homosexual priests, but maintained traditional doctrine regarding same-sex marriage and baptism for sexual minorities.

He also implemented reforms in finance and personnel practices that broke with tradition. Instead of appointing cardinals only from traditional centers like Paris or Milan, he selected cardinals from relatively remote regions, such as the case of Lazarus You Heung-sik, Bishop of Daejeon in Korea. Outsourcing accounting audits was one of the reforms he initiated immediately after taking office, and since 2021, the Diocese of Rome has also been subject to audits. During sweeping reforms of the Vatican's finances and stock and real estate investments, he clashed with vested interests. In 2014, he publicly excommunicated the southern Italian mafia group 'Ndrangheta for worshipping evil.

The first official memorial event, a Rosary prayer meeting, honoring Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on the 21st (local time), is being held at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican with numerous believers participating. Elected as the first pope from South America in 2013, he reformed vested interests during his lifetime and stood by the marginalized. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

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During his lifetime, he also requested that his funeral break with tradition and be held simply. According to his publicly released will, he wished to be laid to rest not in the Vatican but in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and asked that only a single inscription be left on his tomb in the underground crypt, with no special decorations. Unlike previous popes, his funeral is also expected to be simple.