Pope Francis who's full name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio is currently the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936 to Mario Jose Bergoglio and Regina Maria Sivori. Francis was the first Pope that has ever been from the Americas, since his birthplace was Buenos Aires, Argentina, so this makes him the first non-European Pope in over one thousand years. In this Pope’s childhood he overcame a serious and almost fatal problem. Francis had to have a lung removed at a young age caused by serious infection. After completing and graduating from high-school, Bergoglio enrolled in the University of Buenos Aires, where in time he had received a masters degree in chemistry and worked briefly as a chemical technician and nightclub bouncer before deciding to go to seminary. Bergoglio began his training at the Jesuit seminary of Villa Devoto and entered the society of Jesus in March 1958. He went on after studying at the seminary to attend the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel, where he earned himself a degree in philosophy and a doctrine in th...
The Pope has agreed to help defend the Byzantine Empire! After being appealed to by Emperor Alexius I Comnenus, in 1095, Pope Urban II assembled the Council of Clermont. In order to help the Byzantine Empire and ensure his power over the church he has decided to call for a military expedition to get back the Holy Land.
It is amazing how much political and military supremacy the papacy position gained when the Crusades began. The First Crusade (1096-1099) was a military expedition initiated by Pope Urban the II to regain the Holy Lands in Jerusalem from the Muslim conquest. The Pope gave a speech requesting military action against Muslim takeover to the French people of Clermont. The speech eventually propagated to other nations for further recruitment. Urban’s political and military involvement helped regain the Holy Lands and save the Christian Crusaders souls. His famous speech changed the course of history in part because its dissemination was overly successful, and assembled over 40,000 Crusaders to do the will of God. Why was Pope Urban II so victorious in recruiting people for the First Crusade, and why was his influence so important?
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the Catholic Church. This is something that started right after the death of Jesus. When Jesus resurrected, he said to St. Peter, “Feed my lambs.... Tend my sheep.... Feed my sheep.” This command given to Peter made him the head of the apostles, henceforth, making him the first Pope. Peter would rule for approximately 34 years, and when he died he was succeeded by St. Linus. The tradition of serving as Pope until death was started by Peter and has been carried on for centuries. Since Peter, there have been 264 Popes and very few have not stayed in power until their death. Most recently, and most commonly known, is Pope Benedict XVI. As the successor of John Paul II, Benedict chose to step down due to old age. Despite this, Pope Benedict did great things during his papacy.
Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero was born in Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador on August 15, 1917. He was the second of seven children born to parents Santos Romero and Guadalupe de Jesus Santos. At the age of twelve, his parents were not able to afford his education and therefore apprenticed him to a carpenter. Oscar trained to be a carpenter, but he always knew he wanted to be a priest. When he was just thirteen years old, he left home to study at a seminary in the city of San Miguel (Kellogg). There he studied for seven years, and left in 1937 for the national seminary, which was run by the Jesuits in San Salvador. He later went to Rome and studied Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome. While studying there, World War II spread throughout Europe, but that did not stop him from earning his Licentiate degree in Theology.
On March 13, 2013, Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis at the age of 76. When he found out that he was to be the pope, he asked the crowd in St. Peter's Square to pray for him which the popes before him had never done. Instead of staying in the luxurious apartments that other popes lived in, Pope Francis chose a little two-room apartment. In choosing to live more simply, Pope Francis broke a tradition that had been upheld by popes for more than a century. Later in the year, he was named Person of the Year by Time magazine. He is the first pope that is not from Europe, and the first Jesuit pope. He took the name Francis from St. Francis of Assisi. He also participates in environmental and political arguments which shows that he really cares to make the world a better place. He supports the Big Bang theory and evolution, and also speaks out about how we can slow down global warming. Unlike other popes who believed that the Church had to follow strict step-by-step processes to be good Catholics, Pope Francis said, "I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting, and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security. I do not want a Church concerned with being at the center and then ends by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures."
I can’t believe they have done this to me. Stripped me of my armor, of my clothes, but most importantly, my dignity. And worst of all, they didn’t even kill me: they left me here to die. Lying here, after being stabbed by a spear, and receiving 25 wounds. Such a disheartening way to die. To have time, to think about your life. And it all started on September 13, 1475 in Florence, Italy.
Born in 1887, Padre Pio is not yet canonized. Francesco, named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, was one of eight children of Grazio and Maria Forgione. Francesco was very devout even as a child, and at an early age felt drawn to the priesthood. He became a Capuchin novice at the age of sixteen and received the “habit” in 1902. Francesco was ordained to the priesthood in 1910 after seven years of study and became known as Padre Pio.
Up until the mid 17th century, it was evident that France was by no means a major player in the field of European affairs. Spain was still the most powerful state as it held a dominant monopoly over European commerce and economics. However, by 1648, this power would shift, and France would come into it's own in terms of political and economic influence. The transfer of power was aided by a weakening of the Spanish Empire, along with the establishment of an increasingly strong French state. This establishment of France would begin to occur prior to the religious wars, and would be spearheaded by a strengthening of the centralized government through the development of royal absolutism. The most significant contributor to this movement was Cardinal Armand du Plessis de Richelieu, political advisor to the king, Louis XIII, and head of the French Roman Catholic Church. The Cardinal's capable leadership, ambition and strong will fortified France's move from a second rate country to a European powerhouse. During his reign as first minister, Richelieu would accomplish numerous tasks, and establish himself as a symbol of power and leadership in France.
Francis was born at Assisi in Umbria in the early 1180’s. His fath er was Pietro Bernadone, a very wealthy cloth merchant. His baptized name was Giovanni but it was changed to Francesco. Francis received a decent amount of schooling as a child although he did not show much interest in it. He was very spoiled and did not want to go into his father’s business. He had high status, was handsome, wore fine clothing, and was very well known with the people of Assisi.
Many people, including Bible Scholars, are fascinated with the end time prophecies. Although St. Malachy was a legitimate prophet, others believe his prophecies were tampered with. Deeply affecting their creditability. Since Pope Benedict XVI resignation, questions have developed around the authenticity of the famous Catholic prophecies. Whether or not the prophecies are inspired and can be expected to be fulfilled. Jorge Mario Bergoglio could be the last pope for two main reasons, St.Malachy’s prophecies are unfolding & the predictions of The Book of Revelations.
“We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.” Said by St. Pope John Paul II during one of his World Youth Day homilies this quote perfectly represents the man that St. Pope John Paul II was: a bold, forgiving, selfless, and loving man. Born on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland; John Paul II suffered a number of tragedies in the early years of his life. By the age of the twenty he lost all of his immediate family, and he credits the death of his father as the point in his life when he heard the call to live a life of religious vocation. In 1939, about one year after John Paul enrolled in The Krawkow Jaggelonian University, the Nazi closed the school and to avoid deportation to Germany all able men had to work. From 1940 to 1941 his holiness did various jobs, but it was during this time period that he was seriously contemplating priesthood. In 1942 John Paul II started studying at the underground seminary run by the Archbishop of Krakow, and during this time he was hit by a truck and recovered in matter of two weeks. To him this was a confirmation of his vocation. Once the war was finished the future pope was ordained priest and was then sent to Rome for further studies. After a two year time period in Rome, His Holy Father received his doctorate in theology and returned to Poland. After serving in several parishes and becoming a well-known religious face in Poland, St. John Paul II became the bishop of Ombi. During the six year time period that his holiness was the Bishop of Ombi, he achieved one of his life’s major accomplishments: he became one of the leading thinkers on the Vatican II council. While he was one the Vatican II co...
Francis of Assisi of Italy).” When Pope Francis’s position was finalized, the media did their best to put him down by spreading the truth- that he preferred to live a simple life. He broke a tradition upheld for centuries before him to not live in the Apostolic Palace, but instead a two bedroom apartment. Instead of being bombarded with assistants, he chose to do the basic things on his own, such as paying for his apartment. Instead of being the normal, greedy Pope, he decided to be a decent human being and didn’t take advantage of his (basically royal) position. During a speech in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Pope Francis says, " As you know, the duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome. It seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosen one who is from far away. . . . Here I am. I would like to thank you for your embrace. “ Right after this, President Barack Obama backed him up by saying,” As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day “ ( “Pope Francis Biography”
The Pope addresses the science of climate change. What does the scientific consensus tell us about climate change, its causes and consequences?
Francis was famous for his love of all creation. He called for simplicity of life, poverty, and humility before God. He worked to care for the poor. Thousands were drawn to his sincerity, piety, and joy. In all his actions, Francis sought to follow fully and literally the way of life demonstrated by Christ in the Gospels. He died in 1226, at the age of 44.
Saint Francis of Assisi was a uniquely spiritual man who gave up a life of wealth and position to lead a life of poverty in accordance and service to God. Embracing a life according to the Gospels, Francis went on to establish a Monastic Order, known as the Franciscans. In the midst of the political climate within the religious community of Italy, Francis emerged a champion for the poor and sick, with humility and no regard for himself. Francis exhibited his love for God through his love and admiration for all of God's creation including nature. The principles of Saint Francis are as relevant today as they were in thirteenth century Italy; service and love to all of God’s creation.