Pope Francis' family, schooling, and career
What matters most in living our faith is that we know the doctrines by heart and we know the leader of the Church. Pope Francis is the eldest son of Mario Jose Bergoglio, an Italian immigrant to Argentina who supported his family by working as a railway worker in Buenos Aires. Mario was born in Portacomaro, Province of Asti in Italy's Piedmont region. He left Italy in 1929 to escape from the fascist regime of its dictator, Benito Mussolini. The Pope's mother, Regina Mari Sivori was born in Buenos Aires from parents who also migrated from northern Italy. Therefore, the Italian cardinals who voted for him did not really consider him an Argentinian.
The young Jorge Mario studied in a Salesian elementary school in Buenos Aires and for secondary education, he went to Escuela Nacional de Educacion Technica and obtained a chemical technician diploma. At an early age, he worked in the food section of a laboratory firm. To augment his income, and to help his parents support a growing family of five children, Jorge Mario also worked as a night club/ bar bouncer, and at the same time, doubled as a janitor. He was sweeping floors and working long hours. This will explain his high respect for the dignity of labor and his compassionate concern for the workingmen.
Because of his backbreaking work, Jorge Mario experienced a health crisis. He was afflicted by a life-threatening pneumonia, which ended in a major operation whereby part of his lung was removed. In no time thereafter, he entered the Inmaculada Concepcion Seminary. He entered the Jesuit order as a novice on March 11, 1958. He was ordained priest in 1959 at the age of 23. He finished his course and obtained a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Colegio Maximo de San Miguel in Buenos Aires. Then he taught Literature and Psychology in Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion and Colegio del Salvador from 1964 to 1966.
Jorge Mario was elected as Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina from 1973 to 1979. Then he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Argentina in 1992. Then in 1998, he was then appointed by the Pope as the Archbishop of the entire Argentina. Pope John Paul II saw in him the makings of a true pastor and administrator, with leadership and managerial skills. Thus in a consistory on February 21, 2001, he became Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio. Then, as the apex of his service to the Lord, he was elected the 266th Vicar of Christ and Supreme Pontiff of the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
He chose to be called Pope Francis, in honor of his favorite saint from Assisi, who loved and served the poor and took care of the birds and other animals. His coming to the Philippines one year before our election for president will give us inspiration on the virtues and character of our next leader. His visit after some strong typhoons and amidst so many challenges confronting our country will definitely bring back hopes to our long suffering people. Knowing our Pope to be a very simple, humble and down-to-earth fatherly figure certainly warms our hearts and gives us enough reasons to move on, no matter what. Realizing the value of his visit to our country is what really matters most.
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