“Pope Francis: First Pope From The Americas”
by Stephanie Watson
Learner Publications, Minneapolis, 2014, 48 pages, Grades 3-5.
At the death of a pope, the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church meet in Rome to elect a new leader. This meeting of the cardinals, called a “conclave” will decide who will be the next pope. For centuries, the popes have come from Italy, but in 1978, Pope John Paul II is elected. Being Polish, his election breaks the line of Italian born popes. He is followed by the German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who takes the name Pope Benedict XVI.
After eight rigorous years, the increasingly frail Pope Benedict XVI resigns. It has been 600 years since a papal resignation. During the next conclave, the world holds its breadth. Who will be the next successor of St. Peter? The answer follows shortly with the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina. He takes the name of Francis. The election is a first in many ways. Pope Francis is the first Jesuit elected pope, the first Latin American pope and the first pope to take the name Francis. On that day, everyone is asking the same question: “Who is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio?”
Stephanie Watson has written a comprehensive biography of the life of Pope Francis. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 17, 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is raised in a loving, Catholic family. There are five children and his family has recently emigrated from Italy to Argentina. As a youth, Jorge is a serious student but also loves soccer and tango dancing. Though initially desiring to become a scientist, he feels God’s call to the religious life and enters the Jesuit Order in 1958 to begin studying for the priesthood. The Jesuits ordain him in 1969 and he begins his lifework as a priest.
The social conditions in Argentina are terrible in the 1970’s. Falling prey to a military dictatorship, the country is rocked by a government that sponsors unwarranted arrests, torture and kidnappings. Most of these unfortunate victims simply disappear and are likely killed. During this time, Father Bergoglio confronts the government on the massive evil it is afflicting on the people of Argentina. As well, he becomes a tireless advocate for the poor and dispossessed in Argentina. Because of the misery in Argentine society, a new philosophy known as “liberation theology” takes root. This philosophy may have been well intended but cannot be accepted because it uses Marxist ideology which is antithetical to religion. Father Bergoglio refuses to accept this theory and works to promote true Christian justice in Argentina. As the years pass by, his obvious talents lead to his consecration as a bishop and later being named a cardinal.
His great humility and identification with the poor lead Cardinal Bergoglio to live a very simple lifestyle. After Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013, he journeys to Rome for the conclave. There he will be elected pope. Watson continues to list many other facts about Pope Francis in this well written biography which are too numerous to mention in a short review. I would encourage you to check out this book to learn more about this dedicated pope.
One drawback of this book however is that it fosters the common misperception of Pope Benedict XVI circulating in the news. Since Pope Benedict tended to use ornate liturgical vestments and lived in the papal apartments, he is commonly viewed as being aloof from normal people. For some reason he is seen as out of touch and not humble. On the other hand, Pope Francis is seen as being in touch with the common man because he lives in an apartment complex and usually eats in a cafeteria. The press praises Pope Francis for this. The truth is that both popes are filled with humility and love for the Church and the People of God.
But since they have different personalities, they express this somewhat differently. Having said that, I hope you get a chance to read this biography about Pope Francis. It is an excellent account of his life.
