People all over the world scrolled through their social media accounts only to find out about the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Pope Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died from a stroke at the age of 88 after dealing with health concerns for most of the year.
Most of his health issues started in February when the Vatican City announced Pope Francis was diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchiectasis. He also suffered two acute respiratory failures before being in stable condition and eventually being released back to the Vatican.
“I think I sat up and I told my dad, like that’s crazy,” junior Grant Hebert said. “He was starting to get better and starting to recover.”
Pope Francis was elected in 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI resigned. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis advocated and made changes for women to have a larger part of the Catholic church. He also gave his blessing for same sex marriages and had a looser attitude toward tradition.
“In my opinion, I love him,” said chemistry teacher Laurie Rosato, who sponsors the Catholic club on campus. “I think he was a great pope. He was controversial, which there are very traditional Catholics that did not like him. I mean, I can’t speak for them, but he’s not traditional, he’s more progressive. But I loved him.”
Although some of his ideas were not considered traditional, Pope Francis had progressive beliefs such as welcoming the poor and LGBT+ Catholics into the church.
Along with this, he was known for the simple life he held until his death. He lived a humble and modest lifestyle, which also endeared him to many Catholics and non-Catholics.
“I think he was a very compassionate human being,” said senior Joaquin Alvarez, president of the campus Catholic club. “He seemed like he was a very progressive leader in the church.”
To honor Pope Fancis’s life, the Catholic church held his funeral on Saturday morning at the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Starting on April 30, the conclave will gather to decide the next pope. The conclave, which consists of cardinals under the age of 80, will vote four times a day every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote.
“I hope they find someone similar to him in ways,” junior Grant Hebert said. “I hope they find someone who can be active and going out to places and stuff like that. Unfortunately, Pope Francis was sickly for most of the time I remember. But just somebody that’s active who can really inspire, especially youth, just to become a larger part in their faith and stuff like that.”
