By Ralph E. Moore Jr.
Special to the AFRO
Pope Francis, from the very day he first spoke to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, was quite the man to follow. Many observers (Catholics and non-Catholics alike) were very impressed by Pope Francis and his humble, non-traditional gestures as he assumed the papal position.
Credit: AP Photo/Sunday Alamba. (Right) Pope Francis inspired millions across the globe—including many in Baltimore. His passing has prompted reflection on both his powerful legacy and the unfinished hopes of Black Catholics seeking recognition for African-American sainthood. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
He announced his papal name, Francis, a name with no Roman numerals following it, signifying no other pope had ever taken it. He carried his own luggage, fixed his own meals and rode buses and the subway in Rome as he did in his native Argentina.
Pope Francis was a most unusual man. Physically challenged with a lung partially removed as a young man, he still rose to become the first pope from South America. On March 13, 2013, he also became the first pope to be elected in roughly 600 years, after the resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.
As pope, he lived in a simple apartment in St. Martha’s House, nearby, but not inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Though he was a pope, he never forgot his humble beginnings.
Named Jorge Mario Bergoglio at birth, Pope Frances hailed from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was born on Dec. 17, 1936 as the eldest in a family with five children. His parents were immigrants from Italy to Argentina. Pope Francis attained a degree in chemistry before he entered a Jesuit seminary to study for the priesthood.
He was ordained a priest in 1969 and was elevated to bishop and then cardinal while in Buenos Aires before being elected to the highest position of authority in the Catholic Church in 2013, the papacy.
Around the world, his death is being mourned.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama called himself a “great admirer” of Pope Francis.
Joseph Ciancaglini, a lifelong Baltimore-born Catholic and educator at Catholic schools, is currently and coincidentally traveling in Italy.
“Pope Francis led from his heart, discerned with keen intellect and served those in need of pastoral care,” said Ciancaglini.
Pope Francis reminded Catholics and the rest of the world to be responsible with the environment, dubbing the planet as “our earthly home.”
His papal letter (called an encyclical), “Laudato Si, subtitled, On Care for Our Common Home,” was read, discussed and debated around the world.
In the letter, the pope criticized “consumerism and irresponsible economic development.” He also commented on “environmental degradation and global warming.”
Francis was strongly committed to world peace, speaking out early against the current wars in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas fighters in Gaza and the conflict in Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. His voice was very effective in inspiring many in the public to question the efficacy of war itself.
Yet for all his greatness and all the good he did, some expressed concern about a particular sticky issue for Black Catholics: there are no– as in zero– Black American Catholic saints to date.
Activist Mary H. Sewell is a former member of St. Ann Church, which was recently closed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She praised Pope Francis’ good character, but said she wished more was done to elevate African-Americans to sainthood within the Catholic church.
“Pope Francis was humble, merciful and kind. I’m sorry his passing came before he was able to canonize the first six African-American candidates for sainthood,” said Sewell, speaking of the 2023 initiative to secure expedited canonizations of the “Saintly Six.”
St. Ann Church, collected and mailed 4,600 signed letters from persons all over the world who urged the late pope to designate expeditiously Mother Lange, Father Tolton, Ms. Greeley, Sister Bowman, Mr. Toussaint and Mother DeLille as the first Black Catholic saints from the United States.
Still, Sewell said she’s “sad to see the world lose this good man.”
In response to the death, Governor Wes Moore announced that the U.S. flag and the Maryland flag will be lowered to half-staff immediately to honor the life and service of His Holiness Pope Francis. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Pope Francis’ interment, which is on Saturday, April 26.
“Pope Francis – the People’s Pope – led with humility, compassion, and love for all people. His strength in spiritual leadership will live on in the hearts of the faithful,” said Gov. Moore. “Dawn and I join Catholics across Maryland alongside the broader faith community, our country, and those all over the world who mourn his passing and honor with deep solemnity his legacy of service.”
Pope Francis will be taken to his final resting place on Saturday, April 26, 2025. His tombstone will feature only his name, “Franciscus.” The simple gesture will be a lasting reminder of the gentle man, known as Pope Francis.