Retro&ChicMarguerite

A Heartfelt Tribute to Pope Francis (1936-2025)

With deep emotion, we honor Jorge Mario Bergoglio, our beloved Pope Francis, born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, and called to eternity on April 21, 2025, at the Vatican. The first Jesuit pope, the first from South America to lead the Catholic Church, he warmed the world from 2013 to 2025 with his generous heart and profound humility.Born to Italian immigrant parents, Jorge became a priest in 1969, Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and a cardinal in 2001. Elected pope on March 13, 2013, he chose the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, to share a message of love, simplicity, and hope. His radiant smile, closeness to the poor, and choice to live humbly at the Santa Marta residence touched millions of hearts.Francis was a friend to the marginalized, a champion of our planet through Laudato Si’ (2015), and a bridge-builder between faiths, notably with the 2019 document on human fraternity. Despite challenges, he reformed the Church with courage, fighting injustice and preaching mercy. Even in frail health, he shared his final Easter blessing in 2025, before passing at 88, following a stroke.His legacy? A call to love, fraternity, and prayer: “Pray for me,” he often said.