A Man of the People: Hamba Kahle Papa Francisco
Pope Francis was a man of the people.
Image: Tiziana Fabi / AFP
Pope Francis died and asked to be buried as a simple man. A man of the people. The pope was humorous and funny and loved football - rumoured to be a supporter of San Lorenzo de Almagro FC.
On their website, the club simply said: 'Hasta siempre, Santo Padre!' – with these words, meaning 'Farewell forever, Holy Father,' .
He was a socio - a card carrying member (Member N°88235) el El Ciclón - from his early days as a priest in Buenos Aires. The club's Instagram page waxed poetically about Papa Francisco and it is worth a watch here:
He not only had a common touch, but in life sought to remain in touch with people. It was reported that every night for 18 months the pope would phone the Holy Family Church in Gaza City around 8pm to speak to Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of the besieged Gaza strip's parish. Most calls lasted about 15 minutes as he enquired about the well-being of those sheltered there.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The last call apparently lasted only 30 seconds and was a quick check in, but it affirmed his direct moral and spiritual support and leadership to Christians, and the embattled people of Gaza. It helped to keep hope alive. He was buried last Saturday.
Pope Francis was the first Jesuit priest to become pope and at birth he was named Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936.
The book taken from his interview, and written by Hernán Reyes Alcaide, is entitled Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims towards a Better World (Nov 24). It was released ahead of the Jubilee Year 2025 with a similar theme, asking us to become pilgrims of hope, as he campaigned against displacement, migration and strife.
An excerpt from La Stampa reads thus: "Something similar has happened in the Middle East, where the open doors of nations such as Jordan or Lebanon continue to be the salvation of millions of people fleeing the conflicts in the area: I am thinking especially of those who leave Gaza in the midst of the famine that has struck their Palestinian brothers and sisters in the face of the difficulty of getting food and aid to their territory."
According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide. It would be necessary to investigate carefully to determine whether it fits within the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies.
This echoes the call that South African lawyers made before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2023 when the South African government took the bold step of taking the Israeli regime to The Hague.
South Africa filed the papers on 29 December 2023 at the ICJ requesting the court, asking it to declare "on an urgent basis that Israel is in breach of its obligations in terms of the Genocide Convention, should immediately cease all acts and measures in breach of those obligations and take a number of related actions".
When the book was released the number of Palestinians killed by Israel stood at about 43,846 people, most of them civilians, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. The number of those killed today stands at 51,240 Palestinians - mainly civilians. These figures exclude those under the rubble.
History will judge both Pope Francis and South Africa favourably, but in the meantime the haters will continue to fight for space… but we cannot stop now. We have to do more and take our provisional measures placed before the ICJ to the International Criminal Court.
The Pope's love for Palestinians as part of the wretched of the earth is unmatched by today's clergy or leaders of all faiths and doctrines. He symbolised and lived with hope and solidarity and believes as we all must: Hope Never Disappoints.
The pope was inspired by hope and compassion, campaigning against what he defined as the globalisation of indifference, which he said is an ugly disease.
Howard Zinn wrote: "We cannot be neutral on a moving train". We must stand for the poor, the marginalised, the voiceless against those who usurp all the resources like the environment. In his famous encyclical, Pope Laudato si' (2015), Pope Francis' encyclical on ecology, climate change, and care for our common home he educated us on the importance of caring for mother earth, and urged action against global warming, stating that "the Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.".
He railed against global inequality and excessive consumerism, waste and greed. But he never forgot the refugees, the victims of political, military and environmental abuses of power. The pope consistently spoke out against Israel's terrorism and genocide against Palestinians.
The UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) wrote this shattering reminder: At least 100 children are reported killed or injured every day in #Gaza, since the strikes resumed (on 18 March) according to @UNICEF… Young lives cut short in a war not of children's making. Since the war began over a year-and-half ago, 15,000 children have reportedly been killed.
The ceasefire at the beginning of the year gave Gaza's children a chance to survive and be children. The resumption of the war is again robbing them of their childhood. The war has turned Gaza into a 'no land' for children. This is a stain on our common humanity.
To end, on 24 December 2024, I co-wrote a poem with Pope Francis (he did not know it)...
*WALKING IN GAZAN SHOES*
With pain
I think of Gaza
So much pain
I think of Gaza
I think of the children
Machine gunned in gaza
With pain
I think of Gaza
Of the bombings
The bombings of schools and hospitals
Oh Gaza
What cruelty in Gaza
Gaza
So much cruelty
Yesterday children
Children were bombed(again) in Gaza
Bombed in Gaza
Bombed
This is not war
This is cruelty
The pain of Gaza
Touches deep into my heart
Hassl (and Pope Francis, Christmas eve 2024)
* Hassen Lorgat is a social justice activist who has worked in trade union and anti apartheid sports movements
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
10 hours ago
- eNCA
Death toll in India plane crash rises to at least 279
The death toll from the fiery crash of a London-bound passenger jet in an Indian city climbed to 279 on Saturday as officials sought to match the DNA of victims with their grieving relatives. The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner issued a mayday call shortly before it crashed around lunchtime on Thursday, bursting into a fireball as it hit residential buildings. A police source said on Saturday that 279 bodies had been found at the crash site in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, making it one of the worst plane disasters of the 21st century. "Nobody can fill the void left by loss," said Imtiyaz Ali, whose younger brother boarded the plane. "I can't even begin to explain what's going on inside me," he told AFP. There was just one survivor out of 242 passengers and crew on board the jet when it crashed, leaving the tailpiece of the aircraft jutting out of a hostel for medical staff. Emergency services kept up their recovery efforts on Saturday, extracting a badly burnt body from the tailpiece before cranes were used to remove the wreckage. At least 38 people were killed on the ground. "I saw my child for the first time in two years, it was a great time," said Anil Patel, whose son and daughter-in-law had surprised him with a visit before boarding the Air India flight. "And now, there is nothing," he said, breaking down in tears. "Whatever the gods wanted has happened." - Search for black box - Distraught relatives of passengers have been providing DNA samples in Ahmedabad, with some having to fly to India to help with the process. The first body of a passenger to be handed over to relatives was placed in a white coffin on Saturday before being transported in an ambulance with a police escort, footage from the state government showed. AFP | Punit PARANJPE Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese and a Canadian on board the flight, as well as 12 crew members. The official casualty number will not be finalised until the slow process of DNA identification is completed. Those killed ranged from a top politician to a teenage tea seller. The lone survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, said even he could not explain how he survived. "Initially, I too thought that I was about to die, but then I opened my eyes and realised that I was still alive," Ramesh, a British citizen, told national broadcaster DD News from his hospital bed. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Friday that a flight data recorder, or black box, had been recovered, saying it would "significantly aid" investigations. Forensic teams are still looking for the second black box as they probe why the plane lost height and crashed straight after takeoff. AFP | Punit PARANJPE The aviation minister said on Saturday that authorities "felt the need to do an extended surveillance of the Boeing 787 planes", with eight out of Air India's 34 Dreamliners inspected so far. Officials will take "whatever necessary steps are needed" to determine the cause of the disaster as soon as possible, he said. The US planemaker said it was in touch with Air India and stood "ready to support them" over the incident. A source close to the case said it was the first 787 Dreamliner crash.
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Navigating the pain of Father's Day for those without dads
Navigating the pain of Father's Day for those without dads As Father's Day approaches, and dads are showered with love and gifts from their loved ones, those who spend the day fatherless are sadly often overlooked. While it is never a child's choice to grow up without a dad, factors like death, divorce or abandonment can make a child feel lonely. ALSO READ: Make Father's Day unforgettable Here are 6 ways to help navigate the pain of Father's Day with your children: 1. Focus on creating new memories in familiar places: While locations hold sentimental value, visiting a place that holds cherished memories can be a method of healing rather than pain. Memories are powerful, and making new ones is just as important as honouring the past. 2. Remember to consider your child's feelings: In the case of bitter divorces, single parents sometimes engage in 'bad-mouthing' the other in front of their children. While venting can be beneficial, it is important for parents to separate their emotions from the situation. Even if you have moved on after the passing of your spouse, be mindful that your child is still processing the loss of their father, even after years have passed. 3. Plan a meaningful outing: Similar to creating new memories in familiar places, parents can alter their usual Sunday routine to ensure the day is not emotionally taxing for their little ones. 4. Listen to your child: A listening ear is always welcome. Allow your child to express their feelings without judgement or fear of hurting your feelings as the adult. Venting can lead to healing, especially if a safe space is provided for the child. 5. Talk about their dad: Even if the relationship has turned sour, there are memories to be shared with your children to reassure them that they were made from love. If their dad has passed away, share videos and stories of how wonderful he was and how much he loved them. 6. Pay tribute to the strong men in your child's life: Your children may have an uncle, grandfather or stepfather who has been a father figure to them. We need to gently understand that this will never erase their dad. However, we can honour the men who are present in our children's lives. Source: Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- The Citizen
Youth unites for heartfelt outreach initiative
ISIPINGO-BASED non-profit organisation Seva Bhakti Foundation, together with law enforcement, call on youth to join them as they venture out to the Durban CBD to hand out warm meals and beanies to at least 500 homeless individuals on Youth Day, June 16. Also read: Plumbers revamp Isipingo school's ablution facilities Seva Bhakti means 'to give back selflessly with love,' which according to Mandy Govender, one of the project's directors, describes the NPO's vision and team perfectly. 'We are inviting and encouraging young people to take part, not just by volunteering, but also by helping to raise funds and assisting in the preparation of food. As we mark a day that honours the strength and courage of South African youth, what better way to celebrate than by giving back? We want to help our youth understand the harsh realities of homelessness, and in doing so, foster compassion, gratitude, and purpose,' said Govender. She emphasised that the foundation hopes to show youth a better path than drugs and destructive choices. Youth from areas including Isipingo, Amanzimtoti, Bluff and Chatsworth are part of the outreach initiative. 'What I love most is seeing the youth come together with the same energy we had when we began our seva (selfless service) journey. I was just 19 when I started. We raised funds to help children, the elderly, and even cancer patients. Watching this next generation step up truly warms my heart,' added Govender. She urges parents to encourage their children to take part, youth to lead the charge with kindness and selflessness, and the community to support the initiative either by volunteering, donating or spreading the word. For more information, contact Mandy Govender on 083 706 2334 or youth ambassador Kamion Moodley on 081 516 7625. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
