The family of Pope Francis shared a heartfelt tribute to the beloved pontiff after his passing at the age of 88.
The family of Pope Francis has broken their silence.
Family members of Pope Francis express deep sorrow and reflect on his global impact
The Argentine relatives of Pope Francis released a touching statement following his death.
They remembered him as a spiritual guide, humble man, and defender of the marginalized.
His grandniece, Dr. Carolina Bergoglio, honored him on Facebook, writing: ‘The death of Pope Francis marks a profoundly symbolic moment in the history of humanity.’
Dr. Carolina Bergoglio pays tribute to her great-uncle with words of love and hope
Dr. Bergoglio described Pope Francis as a leader who stepped down from the pedestal to embrace the forgotten and speak on ecology, pain, and inclusion.
She added:’He was a spiritual leader who knew how to speak to the heart of the world with humility, closeness, and a profoundly human perspective.’
‘He was a Pope who stepped down from his pedestal, who embraced the discarded, who spoke of ecology, migration, inclusion, and also of pain.’
‘His passing leaves us with a clear message: love more, judge less, and never forget that we are all brothers and sisters,’ Bergoglio, the daughter of Pope Francis’ third cousin, Jorge Bergoglio, added.
Pope Francis died from a stroke following a battle with pneumonia and chronic illness
The Vatican confirmed Pope Francis’ cause of death as a stroke.
This led to a coma and heart failure after weeks of hospitalization and ongoing respiratory complications.
He had previously suffered from chronic bronchitis, pneumonia in both lungs, and a mild kidney condition that worsened in his final days.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio reflects on the Pope’s spiritual role and his absence from Argentina
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Pope’s cousin and a lawyer in Córdoba, Argentina, recalled receiving personal homilies from Francis during his time as a cardinal.
He expressed sadness that the Pope never visited Argentina during his time as pontiff. This was despite the Pope maintaining strong ties to his homeland and extended family.
Pope Francis’ relatives recall a memorable dinner where strangers celebrated their shared surname
In 2014, after visiting the Vatican, the family dined at a trattoria in Perugia where staff recognized their surname and honored them with free limoncello.
Jorge Bergoglio said: “When they heard we were his relatives, the owner called out to everyone. The place erupted in celebration.”
Pope Francis’ grandfather narrowly escaped a shipwreck that could’ve changed Church history
Jorge Ernesto Bergoglio’s book revealed that Pope Francis’ grandfather, Juan Ángel Bergoglio, avoided a 1927 shipwreck that claimed 314 lives due to delayed property sales.
The Pope later acknowledged in a 2011 email that the tragic event could have prevented his birth.
He also reflected that it could have altered his spiritual journey if plans had gone differently.
Born José Mario Bergoglio, he was ordained in 1969.
He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and was named a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
He was elected pope in 2013, choosing the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi. Then he became the first Latin American pontiff in history.