Pope Francis & Calvin Robinson: Latest News & Reactions | Discover Now
Is the legacy of Pope Francis one of radical change, or a steadfast adherence to core principles? The pontiffs pronouncements on social issues, political landscapes, and the very nature of faith itself have sparked both fervent admiration and intense debate, solidifying his place as one of the most consequential religious figures of the modern era.
News from the Vatican and the Catholic Church, as provided by the Vatican staff of the Catholic News Agency, a service of EWTN News, has been a constant source of information for those seeking insight into the Pope's actions and pronouncements. On September 13, 2024, aboard the papal plane, Pope Francis shared his perspective, stating that American voters are facing the choice between "the lesser evil" in the U.S.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | April 21, 2025, Vatican City |
| Papacy Began | March 13, 2013 |
| Predecessor | Pope Benedict XVI |
| Successor | Currently, the position is vacant. |
| Education | Master of Arts in Chemical Sciences, Philosophical and Theological studies |
| Ordination | Ordained as a priest on December 13, 1969 |
| Episcopal Ordination | Ordained as a bishop on June 27, 1992 |
| Cardinal | Created a cardinal on February 21, 2001 |
| Notable Achievements | First Jesuit Pope, Significant focus on poverty and social justice, Emphasis on mercy and forgiveness, Reforms within the Catholic Church, Increased outreach to marginalized communities |
| Known For | Simplicity in life, Humility, Calls for environmental stewardship, Strong stance against war and violence, Advocacy for migrants and refugees, Dialogue with other religions |
| Link to Official Website | Vatican Website |
The Vatican has been the central hub for these announcements. On April 21, 2025, images released by Vatican Media showed Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, flanked by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Edgar Pea Parra, and Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, announcing the death of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis, known for his groundbreaking leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The announcement of his death was read by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican Camerlengo. Pope Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, where he wished the crowd a happy Easter.
Many leaders and individuals have issued statements following the death of Pope Francis. Cardinal Timothy Dolan expressed his mourning, joining people worldwide in remembering Pope Francis. In a statement of remembrance, Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, shared his profound sadness at the death of the Pope.
The Pope's final statements and actions, however, are not the only defining elements of his papacy. His strong words on important issues have often been a subject of discussion. For example, the text Pope Francis prepared for the Sunday Angelus, published on February 23, highlights his insights on many topics. "All religions are a path to reach God. But God is God for everyone," he told young people on September 13 at an interreligious meeting at the Catholic Junior College of Singapore, as published by the Vatican.
Photographs from April 26, 2025, displayed Pope Francis's final resting place in Rome, while news briefs detailed the events of the day. Before his death, the Pope made several noteworthy statements about various events and situations. One of them was during his visit to the border between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, where he prayed at a cross.
In a public statement, the Pope said that the rightly formed conscience must make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that subtly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality. He sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, stating that criminalizing migrants and taking actions against them were wrong.
In the past, Pope Francis has addressed social issues, such as immigration. Pope Francis addressed the bishops of the United States on Tuesday regarding the country's ongoing mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants, urging them to take action. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had previously issued a strong statement opposing Trump's initial executive orders on immigration.
During his papacy, Pope Francis consistently addressed issues such as war, peace, and social justice. On October 29, 2023, in his Angelus address, the Pope called for a ceasefire in Gaza, urging for humanitarian aid and the release of captives. "War is always a defeat!" he emphasized.
Calvin Robinson, who recently moved from England to lead a church in western Michigan, also made a statement, rebuking the Pope's statement in a post on X, saying, "The scriptures teach us the opposite. The gate to [h]eaven is narrow."
It is important to note that on September 13, 2024, the Pope said that American voters face the choice between "the lesser evil" in the U.S. Departing from his prepared remarks, Pope Francis said that the welfare state alone is the enemy of democracy, the enemy of love for neighbor, statements that were met with strong applause by the crowd in the convention center. The Pope's strong statements mark a continuation of the Catholic Churchs clear pronouncements that abortion is a grave evil. In a rare public rebuke, Pope Francis criticized the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, indicating that Vice President Vance had gotten the Christian theology on welcoming strangers wrong.
Throughout his papacy, Francis, who has suffered several bouts of ill health over the past two years, remained a figure of profound influence. He was prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult.
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