New pope francis biography
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Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease, was recently hospitalized for a bout of bronchitis that developed into a respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia. Here we have to ask ourselves: Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? What has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope.”
He added: “The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented, especially when that person approaches the Sacrament of Confession with a sincere heart in order to obtain reconciliation with the Father.
On May 20, 1992, Bergoglio was named titular bishop of Auca and auxiliary of Buenos Aires; he was ordained into that post a week later.
At least five churches were attacked in the days leading up to his visit. According to the Catholic News Service, Francis told the crowd: “When man thinks only of himself...
The new pontiff is believed to have shared Francis' views on migrants, the poor and the environment.
A former roommate of his, Reverend John Lydon, described Leo to the BBC as "outgoing", "down to earth" and "very concerned with the poor".
In recent months, he appears to have challenged the views of US Vice-President JD Vance.
A social media account in his name shared a social media post on X that was critical of the Trump administration's deportation of a US resident to El Salvador.
The account also shared a critical comment piece written about a TV interview by Vance.
"JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others," read the post, repeating the headline from the commentary on the National Catholic Reporter website.
Shortly after, the account shared another article, published by The Jesuit Review, and commented that Catholics "cannot support a rhetoric that demonizes immigrants as dangerously criminal simply because they have crossed the border in search of a better life for themselves and their families".
The BBC has contacted the Vatican but has not independently confirmed the account, which was created in 2011, belongs to the new pontiff.
Pride and concern over his time in Peru
Leo moved to Peru as a missionary in 1985 to work in various rural communities.
He was known for working with marginalised people, and immersed himself in learning Spanish.
After a stint back in the United States, he returned to Peru again in 1988 to the city of Trujillo on the north coast where he trained young men to be priests and taught canon law.
In late 2014, when he was back in the US, he was put forward by Pope Francis to return to Peru as the Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo, a diocese on Peru's north coast and the following year he was appointed the Bishop of Chiclayo.
He went on to earn a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
"My experience of Cardinal Prevost was that he's not a showboat," a seminary classmate, Father Mark R. Francis, CSV, provincial of the Viatorians in the United States, told CBS News Chicago. The Vatican issued an apology after the first instance.
Environmental Activism
In June 2015, Pope Francis spoke out about the environment.
In 2023, he underwent hernia surgery in June and spent three days in the hospital that March for bronchitis. He also requested to be buried at the Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major, not in the Vatican like other popes, so that he would be closer to his favorite icon of the Madonna.
Quotes
- I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting, and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.
He also renounced his wealth and founded the Franciscan order of friars in 1290.
Kati Weis, Nicole Brown Chau, Aaron Navarro, Joe Walsh and CBS Chicago Team contributed to this report. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Three years later, in February 2001, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II and named the cardinal-priest of Saint Robert Bellarmino.
17, 1887. He spent five days in South Korea in August.
In February 2025, the pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young adult, was rushed to the hospital for another bout of bronchitis, which quickly developed into a respiratory tract infection and pneumonia in both of his lungs. The pope first met with powerful military General Min Aung Hlaing, who refuted reports of ethnic cleansing by claiming there was “no religious discrimination in Myanmar.” He then made a joint appearance with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to deliver a highly anticipated speech in which he called for tolerance but avoided the term “Rohingya” and stopped short of condemning the persecution, drawing criticism from those who wanted to see a more forceful stance.
“We have to find a new balance; otherwise, even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel,” the pope said. It also released a letter in which the pope acknowledged “serious mistakes” in his handling of the matter, saying he felt “pain and shame” for the “crucified lives” of victims.
Late in the month, it was announced that the pope would host three of the victims from Chile.