The death of Pope Francis generated emotion in various parts of the world

By Guillermo Alvarado 

The death of Pope Francis, caused by a stroke as reported by the Vatican, generated emotion in various parts of the world. The stroke occurred just hours after his public appearance following a prolonged period of illness. 

One of the most highlighted traits of the pontiff by the press and analysts after the news spread globally was his effort to bring the church closer to the real world—that is, to ordinary people, particularly the most vulnerable. 

He was clearly against armed conflicts, regardless of their origin, and also spoke out against the dangers to humanity posed by climate change, caused by irrational models of production and consumption. 

Due to his clear dedication to the poor, migrants, and those who suffer, he faced criticism, especially from those on the other side of the globe—those who have far more than they need. 

In his own way, he was a progressive man and was always more in favor of inclusion than separation of those considered different. 

In many ways, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was a pioneer: the first pope of Latin American origin, the first from the Jesuit order to reach the pontificate, and the first to take the name Francis in homage to the religious figure who preached poverty during the 12th and 13th centuries, when ostentation was a symbol of the Catholic Church. 

He demonstrated his ideas when, after being elected on March 13, 2013, he chose to live in a small apartment within the Vatican, far from the palaces and luxurious residences where several of his predecessors had lived. 

Of course, there are some shadowy areas within his ministry, but these will be analyzed at other times. 

A complex period now begins, not without tensions, as the conclave of cardinals is set to elect his successor after the funeral honors for Francis are completed. 

Numerous hypotheses and names, along with their respective tendencies, are already circulating, along with questions about the future of the Catholic Church in today's turbulent world. 

Meanwhile, tributes have already begun, from the Middle East, the European Union, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, to bid farewell to a man who tried to be faithful to his time and his commitment.