Loading ...Honoring Pope Francis
By: Rena Elhessen/ Arab America Contributing Writer
Arab America joins Catholics across the globe and people of all faiths in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. A true advocate for peace, Pope Francis stood for unity and humanity in an ever-changing world of division and conflict. He was more than a spiritual leader, but a humanitarian and trailblazer, whose work impacted the lives of thousands. We at Arab America mourn Pope Francis and honor his life and legacy.
The Historic Firsts of Pope Francis
Pope Francis was the first Pope from the Americas or the Southern Hemisphere. His ascension to the papacy marked the second time a non-European became Bishop of Rome. In the history of the Church, there had only been one non-European Bishop of Rome, Syrian-born Gregory III.
Following the voluntary retirement of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, many Catholics assumed the new pontiff would be younger. Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina succeeded Benedict XVI in 2013, becoming the 266th occupant of the throne of St. Peter at the age of 76.
His dedication to humility over grandeur distinguished him as a Pope for the people. On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina bore the new name of Pope Francis, which paid homage to St Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century preacher and animal lover.
“That is how the name came into my heart: Francis of Assisi. …How I would like a church which is poor and for the poor!”
Pope Francis (qtd. in AP News)
Early Life
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The son of immigrant parents who had fled their native Italy to escape the rise of fascism, and the eldest of five children.
As a child, he suffered from a serious case of pneumonia, undergoing an operation to remove part of a lung. As a young adult, he studied philosophy and taught literature and psychology. Ten years later, he would be ordained and become provincial superior for Argentina in 1973. In 1992, he would become Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires and then Archbishop.
He would then be made cardinal in 2001 and take up posts in the Church’s civil service until his ascension to the papacy.
Fighting for Unity Amidst Division
Pope Francis, otherwise known as the Pope of Peace, fulfilled this title as a leader and trailblazer of the Catholic Church. He distinguished himself as a Pope for the people, championing social, political, and environmental issues to advocate for the poor and underprivileged.
His outspoken advocacy on social justice, climate change, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights solidified his legacy as a transformative Bishop of Rome. His commitment to interfaith dialogue created a greater sense of community.
This dedication to peace resonated with people on a global scale. As members of the Arab American community, we remember Pope Francis for his outspoken cries and unwavering leadership in the Levant region, and his extending community to the Arab world.
“We need one another.”
Pope Francis
Pope Francis’s Unwavering Support for Arab Christians and Catholics
The Pope continued to support and recognize Palestine throughout his time in the papacy. His recognition of Catholic and Christian Arabs of the Levant brought hope and unity to the region, as it continues to be the epicenter of war.
The Pope extended his spiritual leadership to the only Catholic Church in Gaza. His dedication to the Arab Catholic community of Palestine did not waver. He would call this church every night to check on their well-being. If multiple bombings were reported, he would call the church throughout the day. The small Catholic community of Gaza found hope and love in this show of unity from Pope Francis.
His continued advocacy for interfaith dialogue saw him praising the religious unity of Lebanon. He saw the country as an example of religious tolerance and unity. During the Hezbollah-Israeli conflict, the Pope condemned the escalation of violence between these forces. He urged the international community to intervene. His dedication not only to the Catholic, but also Arab populations alike was a true pillar of his unity and humanity.
Supporting the Palestinian Cause
As his communication with Gazans continued during the war, he became more vocal about the tragedy and human rights abuses. He became a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause. The Vatican recognized the state of Palestine in 2013, and the Pope continued this recognition amidst the war in Gaza.
Last year, the Pope was pictured praying in front of the Nativity scene, and the baby Jesus was swaddled by a Palestinian Keffiyeh. When the Christmas donors arrived, the Pope prayed for an end to the war in the Holy Land.
In November 2024, the Pope called for an investigation of Israel’s attacks in Gaza to determine if they constitute genocide. This declaration came months after he condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.
Building Bridges in the Arab World
The Pope’s advocacy against social injustice did not extend only to Catholics but to the human population. His belief in a shared humanity prevented him from ostracizing other religions. When acts of terrorism were carried out by extremists, he refused to generalize or stigmatize the Muslim community.
Pope Francis (qtd. in BBC)“If I speak of Islamic violence, then I have to speak of Catholic violence too”
The Pope’s determination to promote interreligious coexistence led him to visit be the first Pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula in 2019. He landed in Abu Dhabi and celebrated a historic Mass. This was followed by an interfaith meeting where Pope Francis, the grand imam, and the Muslim Council of Elders were received by Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Pope extended his mission as a humanitarian during his 2021 trip to Iraq. There he met a Shiite Muslim spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. He also visited a Mosul which had been occupied by ISIS until 2017. During this visit he encouraged the remaining Christian population of Iraq to rebuild their communities.
In a true showing of shared humanity, Pope Francis became the first Pope to visit Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula. We mourn the loss of this spiritual leader whose impact was felt throughout the world. His legacy as a champion of peace and interreligious coexistence will continue to impact global relations and combat political conflict.
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