The legacy of an innovative pontiff
Monday’s day was marked by the sad news of the death of Pope Francis, who left this world at the age of 88 at the Casa Santa Marta. After eleven years at the helm of the Catholic Church, its disappearance represents not only a personal loss, but also the beginning of an intense debate among the various ideological currents that coexist in the Vatican.
A transformation pontiff
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis was elected on March 13, 2013, and since then he has been working to modernize the image of the church. His progressive vision was manifested in various initiatives, including his fight against sexual abuse and his commitment to a church more accessible and close to his faithful.
An approach to solidarity
With a strong connection with the Jesuit tradition, the Pope chose the name of Francesc to reflect the austerity and dedication to the cause of the poor, as St. Francis of Assisi did. His speeches were always permeated with values such as generosity and solidarity, with the aim of guiding the institution towards greater inclusivity.
An uncertain future for the church
With the increase in his respiratory difficulties, Pope Francis’s health had raised increasing concerns in recent weeks. Despite its conditions, it appeared publicly this Sunday, but shortly after, at 7:35 in the morning, its tragic outcome took place. This has led to a period of uncertainty for the Church, with the imminent beginning of the process of choosing the new pontiff.
A new crucial choice
The choice of the new pope is essential to determine the future direction of the church. With a variety of possible candidates, expectations revolve around whether the new leader will follow the progressive path marked by Bergoglio or, on the contrary, will take a turn to more conservative postures.
Politics answers
The news of his death has generated a wave of reactions between the political leaders of both Spain and Catalonia. Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat, has shared memories of his encounter with the Pope, praising his contributions to peace and human rights. The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, has expressed his weighing, emphasizing the pontiff’s commitment to the most vulnerable, while Alberto Núñez Feijóo emphasized his loyalty to his convictions to the end.
