Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis: History and Importance of the day

Holiness Pope Francis marks the 8th anniversary of his election by the papal conclave as Bishop of Rome and leader of the Catholic Church on March 13th, 2021. The anniversary of the current Pope’s election is a public holiday in Vatican City.

Most public holidays in Vatican City are religious feasts like Epiphany, Assumption Day, Nativity of Mary, Christmas Day, and others. Be that as it may, there are two exemptions: the anniversary of the foundation of Vatican City and the anniversary of the election of Pope Francis. The latter is celebrated on March 13.

The pope is the bishop of Rome, the leader of the Catholic Church, and the head of state of Vatican City (since the formation of the independent Vatican City State in 1929). The current pope is Francis, who was elected on March 13, following the resignation of Benedict XVI because of his advanced age.

Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis History

Pope Francis is the 266th Pope and supplanted Pope Benedict XVI who had been pope since 2005 however had startlingly resigned on February 28th, 2013.

Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Born to Italian parents, he was raised Catholic. Bergoglio learned at the Inmaculada Concepción Seminary in Buenos Aires and entered the Society of Jesus as an amateur in 1958. He officially became a Jesuit two years after the fact.

After completing his theological studies, Bergoglio was appointed to the priesthood in 1969. Bergoglio worked momentarily as a chemical technologist and nightclub bouncer before going to the church.

Pope Francis is the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere. He is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pope since Pope Gregory III in 741.

He was appointed a Catholic priest in 1969 and became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. He was made a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.

Before being elected pope, Bergoglio served as the provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina, Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, and Archbishop of Buenos Aires. As a cardinal, he served at a few administrative positions in Rome.

After the death of John Paul II in 2005, Bergoglio took an interest as a cardinal elector in the meeting that elected Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI).

Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28th, 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on March 13th.

Benedict XVI resigned on February 28, 2013, refering to age and poor health. The papal conclave of 2013 was assembled to elect his successor. On the second day of the conclave (March 13), Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the new pope. He took the pontifical name of Francis to pay tribute to Saint Francis of Assissi.

He picked Francis as his papal name to respect St. Francis of Assisi. He was introduced on 19 March 2013, and his motto became “Miserando atque Eligendo” or “lowly but chosen.” The motto was taken from the Venerable Bede on Saint Matthew’s Gospel.

Upon his election, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pope since Pope Gregory III, who was Syrian.

Moreover, he is the first pope to take the pontifical name of Francis, and his official papal name has no regal number. He would be retrospectively called Francis I if and when one of his successors picks the name Francis.

Pope Francis’ motto is Miserando atque eligendo, which means modest yet picked. Referring to Jesus’ mercy towards miscreants, it is taken from the homilies of Venerable Bede on Saint Matthew’s Gospel.

The papal inauguration of Pope Francis occurred on March 19, 2013. It was gone to by official elections from 132 states and leaders of different religious groups, including the Patriarch of Constantinople, making it the first papal inauguration went to by the Ecumenical Patriarch in over a millennium.

The anniversary of Pope Francis’ election was first celebrated on March 13, 2014. At the point when Francis is prevailing by the next pope, the date of the holiday will be changed appropriately.

Another public holiday is seen in Vatican City to honor the name saint of the incumbent pope. As Jorge (George) is Francis’ birth name, Saint George’s Day on April 23 has been a public holiday in the Holy See since 2013.

On the anniversary of Pope Francis’ election, mass is ordinarily held at the Vatican and Catholic churches all through the area. During the mass, individuals pray for the pope’s proceeded with health and prosperity while asking that God control him in his decisions for the Catholic church.

On the anniversary of his election, numerous individuals glance back at his activities as the leader of the Catholic church. By a few, he is seen as a bold revolutionary picked to make individuals consider their beliefs while others believe he is too reformist in his perspectives.

Notwithstanding, most Catholics consider Pope To be a kind, delicate leader who understands some of the beliefs previously held by the church may not be fitting for the present society.

Some of Pope Francis’ statements have been met with shock all through the world. He has said that religious dialogue should be expansive and not just focused on abortion or homosexuality. He believes that the Gospel is more basic, yet significant.

Even though he doesn’t really believe that those women ought to be ordained priests, Pope Francis feels women are a significant part of the Catholic church. He has been more accepting of homosexuality than past pontiffs. He has called for huge changes in the church, asking individuals to reconsider what he calls “antiquated customs.”

Another public holiday is seen in the Holy See to mark the name saint of the current pope. As George (‘Jorge’) is his birth name, Saint George’s Day on April 23rd is a holiday.