Franciscus

BABE'S EYE VIEW

- AMBASSADOR B. ROMUALDEZ

There is no doubt that the whole Christian world is mourning the death of Pope Francis, especially those whose lives he touched. The popular pope was finally laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major yesterday. His tomb, located near the altar of St. Francis, bore only the inscription "Franciscus" and a reproduction of his pectoral cross, in keeping with his June 29, 2022 will where he specified: "The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus."

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the man who led the Catholic Church in the last 12 years was loved and admired for his humility, simplicity and frugality - preferring to live at the modest Vatican guesthouse Casa Santa Marta instead of the lavish papal apartments at the sprawling Apostolic Palace.

The first Jesuit and Latin American to serve as pontiff, he was dubbed the "thrifty pope" early in his papacy because he eschewed luxury, like when he preferred to move around in a Fiat rather than a bullet proof Mercedes Benz during his trip to Rio de Janeiro in July 2013. He was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and truly believed in her being his protector. He wore simple white robes instead of more elaborate vestments, and his ordinary black shoes were a stark contrast to the red "pope" shoes.