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Add My StoryAuthor: Morgan Birck
Elected on March 13, 2013 to the papacy, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina took the name Francis and also took the Catholic community by storm. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Pope was a chemical technician and a nightclub bouncer before he decided to enter the seminary. He is the first pope from the Americas, and has been loved by his native Argentineans for his modesty, commitment to the poor, and ability to connect with everyone around him. Here are the top nine reasons that people are falling in love with Pope Francis:
1. His commitment to his humble roots.
Pope Francis carries his own luggage, rides in a Ford Focus, and encourages the church to be more modest in its spending.
2. His stance on homosexuality.
“Who am I to judge?”
This remark, along with his denunciation of the Catholic Church’s preoccupation with indicting homosexuality and abortion, has made him popular—especially among the younger generation.
3. His engagement with technology and the younger generations.
He takes selfies and called the Internet a “gift from God”. Amen to that.
4. He sneaks out of the Vatican at night to meet with the homeless.
Swiss guards have confirmed that the Pope disguises himself as a regular priest and sneaks out of the Vatican to personally come to the aid of the poor and destitute around the city.
5. He lets little kids come on stage with him during his speeches or takes them on rides in the Popemobile.
A young boy joined the pope on stage and gave him a hug in the middle of a public appearance, refusing to leave his side. Pope Francis just smiled and continued on with his speech. Later that year, Pope Francis invited Albert di Tullio, a 17-year-old with Down syndrome, to ride with him in the Popemobile.
6. He advocates for equality through action and not just words.
He washed the feet of two women at a Holy Thursday ritual, which church had previously forbad.
Not only that, but he held this major Holy Week ritual at a juvenile detention
center—not in the traditional location at the Vatican.
7. He personally called an Argentinean rape survivor and consoled her.
He called to tell her: “You are not alone.”
8. He owned a Harley.
Then, auctioned it off to fund a hostel and soup kitchen in Rome.
9. He has compassion for everyone, and shows it.
One example is his embrace of Vinicio Riva, a man who suffers from neurofibromatosis-1, a disfiguring and painful skin disorder. Throughout his life, he experienced unkindness and repulsion from strangers due to this genetic disorder, which causes thousands of tumors throughout his body. When the Pope headed straight towards him with no hesitation on November 6, 2013, Riva was initially surprised. Since the incident, Riva has grown “stronger and happier” from the incident. He hopes the media coverage of this interaction will raise awareness of the disease and encourage more scientific research on finding a cure. The Pope’s openness and love for every one of his followers is extraordinary, and is clearly shown in this “public display of affection” for Riva.
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