Latest news with #Jesuit-run
CNA
30-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
How three Filipino cardinals eligible to be the next pope remember Pope Francis
History has shown popular ' papibiles ', a term referring to cardinals tagged by Vatican observers as front-runners for the papacy, do not often end up as popes. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was not tagged as a 'papabile' in 2013. There is now growing interest in the Philippines and beyond if the next pope will also come from the Global South - or will be as humorous as him. In 2022, when asked how he was coping with his bad knee, Pope Francis said the pain could use a little tequila. In an essay published in the New York Times, Pope Francis wrote: "Life inevitably has its sadness, which are part of every path of hope and every path toward conversion. But it is important to avoid wallowing in melancholy at all costs, not to let it embitter the heart." He said not even clerics are immune from bitterness, but "sometimes we unfortunately come across as bitter, sad priests who are more authoritarian than authoritative, more like old bachelors than wedded to the church, more like officials than pastors, more supercilious than joyful, and this, too, is certainly not good". Beyond his levity, Pope Francis was also known for gestures of love. Prior to his death, he donated the entirety of his personal bank account to prisoners, who he often referred to as 'brothers and sisters behind bars'. Below are how the three Filipino cardinals eligible to vote for - and could be voted as - the next pope, remember Pope Francis. CARDINAL LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE Considered by religious observers as a papabile, the 67-year-old was part of the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013. He has been an educator of Filipino seminarians. He was appointed as the Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization in 2022. Often referred to as the 'Asian Francis', he shares similar perspectives with the late pontiff on social justice. The former archbishop of Manila was educated in Jesuit-run institutions in the Philippines and previously headed an international Catholic-based social action organisation. Photographed beaming with joy, he was standing right behind Pope Francis on his popemobile during the Argentine pontiff's visit to the Philippines in 2015. Like Pope Francis, he is also known for his humour. In a publicly shared anecdote, he once officiated a Catholic wedding where he proceeded to hum a capella style for the bridal walk, underscoring the essence of the tradition as an act of faith and not a display of vanity. He then said he could no longer wait for the planned release of butterflies as indicated by the wedding planner, adding he was not even sure about the propriety of capturing the butterflies for the ceremony. In his homily during a mass for the repose of Pope Francis' soul, Cardinal Tagle said that the late pope 'took jokes seriously'. He remembered the charismatic pontiff calling him 'this little boy' and him responding to the then-Archbishop of Buenos Aires 'this old man' upon arrival at an Italian airport prior to the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. Subsequently, Cardinal Tagle had to refer to the 'old man' upon being elected pope as 'His Holiness'. CARDINAL PABLO VIRGILIO DAVID The 66-year-old is the newest Filipino cardinal, having only been named by Pope Francis in December last year. He was appointed Bishop of Kalookan by Pope Benedict XVI in October 2015. Cardinal David is known for his charitable work for the surviving kin of the fatalities of the bloody 'war on drugs' under former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at an International Criminal Court facility in the Hague on accusations of crimes against humanity over the deadly drug crackdowns. At the height of Mr Duterte's anti-drug campaign, Bishop David of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan in northern Metro Manila took protective custody of drug war witnesses, whose lives were under constant threat at that time. The Philippines' capital region of Metro Manila has 16 cities and one municipality. Cardinal David's diocese covers Malabon City, Navotas City and the southern part of Caloocan City - all areas with a higher density of underprivileged communities with drug war fatalities. As he assisted families of drug war victims, Cardinal David received death threats. He was also 'red-tagged', a term referring to how Filipino advocates are often unduly labelled as communist terrorists for their civic action. Similarly, Pope Francis had been tagged a communist by his critics. Cardinal David had often recalled how Pope Francis encouraged him to employ what the pontiff called divine humour in dealing with death threats. He was also reminded by the late pope during their encounter not to let the title 'His Eminence' get to his head. Following Pope Francis' death, Cardinal David underscored the late pontiff's role as a bridge-builder. He recalled how the late pope called Filipino migrants 'smugglers of faith.' The Philippines' diaspora comprises over 10 million Filipinos worldwide. He also remembered how the late pontiff taught the world that the heart of the gospel beats most strongly where poverty and exclusion dwell. CARDINAL JOSE ADVINCULA The 73-year-old is the current Archbishop of Manila, appointed to the role by Pope Francis in 2021. In a morning mass at the Manila Cathedral inside the capital's centuries-old colonial-era walled district, a day following the pope's death, he exhorted the faithful: 'Pope Francis showed us what it means to suffer with others and find hope in the midst of pain.' Cardinal Advincula was ordained as a priest in 1976 and enrolled to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis in 2020. In a statement on the pope's death, Cardinal Advincula said Pope Francis is remembered 'for joyfully witnessing to the Gospel in our world marred by calamity, conflict and despair.' He said the late pontiff reminded the Catholic flock that 'the Church must be close to the poor, merciful to all and a welcoming home for the forgotten.' 'These words resonate in our hearts, for they speak so deeply to the soul of the Filipino faithful,' he said. Cardinal Advincula added of the pope's legacy: 'His presence, prayers and preaching have confirmed us in faith, enlivened our hope and animated us to charity... Let us honour the memory of Pope Francis by learning from his teachings and following his example of Christian life.' He referred to Pope Francis as Lolo Kiko, a combination of the late pope's nickname and the Filipino term for endearment for grandfather. FILIPINOS REMEMBER POPE FRANCIS The Philippines is home to one of the largest Catholic populations in the world, making up nearly 79 per cent of the country, according to official data as of 2020. Congregations across the nation have been in mourning since Pope Francis' passing on Apr 21. 'Pope Francis played a huge part in our faith. I cannot summarise the loss in a word. There is a heavy feeling,' said worshipper Conchita Mil, who attended a memorial mass at the Manila Cathedral. He is best remembered by the nation for exhorting survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest tropical cyclones to ever hit land. During the late pontiff's visit in 2015, he addressed the nation under wind and rain, comforting Filipinos and encouraging them to hold on to faith. As a reformist, Pope Francis commanded respect from people across a spectrum of spiritual beliefs. He often highlighted the role of the Catholic Church in caring for the wounded and said he views the Church as a field hospital after battle. The first Latin American to shepherd a flock of over a billion Catholics worldwide, he departed from the conservatism of his predecessors. He wrote apostolic letters on social issues like human trafficking and climate change, always extending the church's embrace to the world's most vulnerable. An estimated 400,000 people including world leaders turned out for Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican.
Business Upturn
21-04-2025
- General
- Business Upturn
RIP: Who was Pope Francis? A comprehensive biography of Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, serving from March 13, 2013, until his death on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. As the first pope from the Americas, the first from South America, and the first Jesuit pope, Francis left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and the world. Known for his humility, commitment to social justice, and efforts to reform the Church, his papacy was both transformative and polarizing. Early Life and Background Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents, Mario José Bergoglio, a railway accountant, and Regina María Sívori, a homemaker. The eldest of five children, Bergoglio grew up in a working-class family with strong Italian roots. His upbringing in a culturally rich but economically modest environment shaped his lifelong empathy for the poor and marginalized. As a young man, Bergoglio faced a significant health challenge. At 21, he contracted severe pneumonia, which led to the partial removal of his right lung. Despite this, he maintained robust health throughout much of his life, defying expectations for someone with such a condition. Before pursuing a religious vocation, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technician after earning a technical degree. He also took on eclectic jobs, including working as a bouncer in a Buenos Aires bar and as a janitor, experiences that grounded his understanding of ordinary people's struggles. Path to Priesthood and Jesuit Formation Bergoglio's call to the priesthood came early, solidified by a profound spiritual experience at age 17. In 1958, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), a religious order known for its emphasis on education, missionary work, and intellectual rigor. He studied humanities in Santiago, Chile, and earned a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio de San José in San Miguel, Argentina, in 1963. From 1964 to 1966, Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at Jesuit-run schools in Argentina, showcasing his academic prowess. He pursued theological studies and was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969. In 1973, he made his final profession with the Jesuits and was appointed provincial superior of the Argentine Jesuits, a role he held until 1979. His leadership during this period coincided with Argentina's turbulent 'Dirty War' (1976–1983), a time of military dictatorship and widespread human rights abuses. Bergoglio faced allegations of complicity in the junta's actions, particularly regarding the kidnapping of two Jesuit priests. However, biographers and witnesses, including his authorized biographer Sergio Rubin, assert that Bergoglio worked discreetly to protect dissidents, sheltering people on church property and even providing his identity papers to help one man flee the country. The Vatican has denied any wrongdoing, and Bergoglio's efforts to open Vatican archives on the dictatorship for victims' families further support his defenders' claims. Rise in the Church Hierarchy In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed Bergoglio as an auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. He chose the episcopal motto miserando atque eligendo ('by having mercy, he chose him'), reflecting his focus on compassion and divine mercy. By 1997, he was named coadjutor archbishop , and in 1998, he succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. In 2001, John Paul II elevated him to cardinal. As archbishop, Bergoglio became known for his simplicity and accessibility. He lived in a modest apartment, cooked his own meals, and traveled by public transport. His pastoral approach emphasized evangelization, community engagement, and care for the poor, launching initiatives like a solidarity campaign for Argentina's bicentennial that established 200 charitable agencies by 2016. Election as Pope and Papal Name Following Pope Benedict XVI's unexpected resignation in February 2013, Bergoglio emerged as a surprise candidate in the papal conclave. Elected on March 13, 2013, on the fifth ballot, he chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his devotion to poverty and peace. The choice was inspired by Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, who, upon Bergoglio's election, urged him, 'Don't forget the poor!' As the first Pope Francis, he declined to use the numeral 'I,' breaking with tradition. His election marked several historic firsts: the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European pope since Syrian Pope Gregory III in 741. Papacy: Themes and Achievements Pope Francis's papacy was defined by humility, social justice, and reform. From his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he greeted the crowd with a simple 'Buona sera' ('Good evening'), he signaled a departure from the pomp of previous pontiffs. He opted to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta rather than the lavish Apostolic Palace and wore a simple white cassock. Advocacy for the Poor and Marginalized Francis consistently championed the poor, refugees, and marginalized. His 2013 visit to Lampedusa, Italy, highlighted the plight of African migrants, condemning the 'globalization of indifference.' His encyclical Laudato Si' (2015) linked environmental degradation to economic inequality, calling for action on climate change and criticizing 'throwaway culture.' He made numerous international trips—over 30 in his first seven years—visiting more than 45 countries, including Cuba, the United States, the Philippines, and Muslim-majority nations like Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. His visits often focused on ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and support for vulnerable populations. Church Reforms Francis sought to reform the Vatican's bureaucracy, particularly the Curia and the Institute for the Works of Religion (Vatican Bank), which had faced allegations of corruption. In 2013, he appointed a council of eight cardinals to advise on governance and established a commission to investigate the bank's operations. In 2014, he replaced several cardinal overseers, signaling a commitment to transparency. His 2019 motu proprio Vos Estis Lux Mundi introduced policies to address sexual abuse allegations against bishops, a response to the global clergy abuse crisis. However, his handling of specific cases, such as the defense of Chilean Bishop Juan Barros, drew criticism, leading to a public apology and the resignation of Chile's bishops in 2018. Social and Moral Stances While upholding traditional Catholic teachings on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, Francis adopted a more pastoral tone. He famously remarked, 'Who am I to judge?' regarding gay Catholics, signaling a shift toward inclusion. He supported civil unions for same-sex couples to ensure legal protections, though he maintained the Church's stance on marriage as between a man and a woman. Francis also emphasized mercy, encouraging priests to show compassion in confession and promoting the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016. His encyclical Lumen Fidei (2013) and apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (2013) underscored faith and evangelization, urging Catholics to live joyfully and engage with the world. Environmental Advocacy Laudato Si' was a landmark document, framing environmental stewardship as a moral imperative. Francis connected climate change to social injustice, advocating for sustainable development and the rights of Indigenous peoples. His 2022 documentary The Letter: A Message for Our Earth further amplified this message. Controversies and Challenges Francis's progressive stances and reforms sparked opposition from conservative factions within the Church. Critics accused him of diluting doctrine, particularly on issues like divorce, remarriage, and homosexuality. His critique of unfettered capitalism and 'clericalism' alienated some traditionalists, who viewed his focus on social justice as a departure from theological priorities. His handling of the clergy abuse crisis, particularly the Theodore McCarrick case, drew scrutiny. A 2020 Vatican report revealed institutional failures under previous popes, but Francis's initial reluctance to act decisively frustrated survivors and advocates. Health challenges also marked his later years. In 2025, Francis was hospitalized for a serious respiratory infection, raising concerns about his ability to lead amid the Holy Year Jubilee celebrations. Despite stabilizing, his condition remained precarious, and he passed away on April 21, 2025, at Casa Santa Marta, marking the end of his papacy. Personal Traits and Interests Francis was known for his simplicity and approachability. A polyglot fluent in Spanish, Italian, and Latin, with proficiency in German, French, Portuguese, English, and Ukrainian, he connected with diverse audiences. He enjoyed Italian neorealist films, opera, and literature by authors like Jorge Luis Borges and Fyodor Dostoevsky. A passionate football fan, he supported Buenos Aires's San Lorenzo de Almagro club. In 2015, he released a progressive rock album, Wake Up! , featuring his speeches set to music, and in January 2025, he published a memoir, Hope , the first autobiography by a sitting pope. The book chronicled his life, faith, and papacy, emphasizing hope as a guiding principle. Legacy and Impact Pope Francis's papacy reshaped the Catholic Church's global image, emphasizing mercy, inclusivity, and social justice. His reforms, while incomplete, addressed systemic issues like financial transparency and clergy abuse. His environmental advocacy positioned the Church as a moral voice in the climate crisis, and his interfaith efforts, including a historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in 2021, fostered dialogue across religions. However, his tenure was not without division. Conservatives criticized his perceived leniency on doctrine, while progressives wished for bolder changes, such as women's ordination or married priests. His emphasis on a 'poor Church for the poor' challenged the institution to live its Gospel values, leaving a legacy of humility and service. Conclusion Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was a transformative figure whose life reflected the tensions of a global Church navigating modernity. From his roots in Buenos Aires to his final days in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, he embodied humility, compassion, and a relentless focus on the marginalized. His papacy, marked by historic firsts and bold reforms, will be remembered as a call to return to the Gospel's core: love, mercy, and justice.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Yahoo
Theodore McCarrick, powerful cardinal whose career ended in disgrace over accusations of sexual abuse
Theodore McCarrick, who has died aged 94, was for decades one of the key players in American Catholicism. His spectacular downfall, amid a welter of accusations of sexual misconduct, which resulted in him being deprived of his Cardinal's hat, marked his career out as one that illustrated not just the strengths but also the spectacular weaknesses of American Catholicism. To many, faithful or not, the career of McCarrick was indicative of a Church leadership that had lost its way. Born in New York on July 7 1930, the only child of Theodore McCarrick and his wife, Margaret, née McLaughlin, Theodore Egan McCarrick – Ted, as he was always known – had the misfortune to lose his father aged three. His widowed mother became a factory worker in the Bronx. She and her son lived in Washington Heights, and were supported by a large network of relations and friends. McCarrick was an altar boy at his local parish church, and attended his local Catholic school, later going on to Fordham Prep, a Jesuit-run secondary school. On leaving school, thanks to the kindness of a benefactor, whose identity remains a mystery, he studied in Europe for a year and a half before returning to Fordham University, his mind already made up to study for the priesthood. He entered St Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, and was ordained by the flamboyant Cardinal Spellman (famous for his extravagant lifestyle and his friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy) on May 31 1958 in New York. Further studies followed in social sciences, culminating in a PhD in sociology from the Catholic University of America in Washington. In 1965, while still in his mid-thirties, McCarrick was appointed president of the Catholic University of Puerto Rico. After four years, having made a success of the university, Monsignor McCarrick (as he then was) was recalled by Cardinal Cooke to New York, first to work in the archdiocese's education department, then to be his private secretary. Thanks to Cooke's patronage, McCarrick's promotion was rapid. In 1977 he became an auxiliary bishop in New York. In 1981 he was appointed the first Bishop of Metuchen, a newly established diocese in New Jersey. In 1986 he became Archbishop of Newark and in 2001 he was installed as Archbishop of Washington, and later created a cardinal. He served in Washington for five years before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75 in 2006. In his 30 years as a bishop, and long after his retirement, McCarrick was an indispensable figure in American Catholicism. In 1986, and again in 1992, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops elected him to head its Committee on Migration. In 1992, he also was appointed to head the Committee for Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. In 1996 he became chairman of the Committee on International Policy, and in 2001 as chairman of the Domestic Policy Committee. He also served on committees dedicated to administration, doctrine, the laity, Latin America and the missions. All of this made McCarrick a spokesman for the Church on fashionable matters and their link man with the administration in Washington. When George W Bush arrived in the city as president, he and his wife's first private dinner engagement outside the White House was with McCarrick. McCarrick was also a founding member of the Papal Foundation, and served as its president. This body, composed of bishops and rich laypeople, was designed to raise money for Papal initiatives, and its spectacular success won the Cardinal great respect in Rome, a place traditionally suspicious of 'Anglo-Saxon' clerics. McCarrick became a frequent visitor to the Vatican, serving on the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See. Having made human rights advocacy one of his major interests, McCarrick became an indefatigable traveller, visiting China, Cuba, Iran, Vietnam, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Rwanda and Burundi, as well as many countries in Eastern Europe and Central America, often on behalf of the Vatican. In November 1996 he joined the US Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad, and from 1999-2001 he was a member of the US Commission for International Religious Freedom. In December 2000 President Clinton gave him the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights. Under his guidance, the Archdiocese of Washington undertook a major fundraising campaign, Forward in Faith, between 2003 and 2005. The campaign, whose funds were earmarked to support education, vocations, parish and social services, resulted in $185 million in pledges, or $50 million more than the $135 million goal. Forward in Faith was one of the most successful capital campaigns in US diocesan history. McCarrick, in a Church which constantly talked of the option for the poor, was clearly the man with the Midas touch. Unusually for an American, Cardinal McCarrick spoke five languages, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. He took part in the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI as the successor to Pope John Paul II in April 2005. He was too old to take part in the conclave that elected Pope Francis in March 2013, being over 80, but took part in the preparatory meetings, at which he was thought to have exercised considerable influence in favour of the election of Cardinal Bergoglio. Several of the men later promoted by Pope Francis were well known protégés of McCarrick. And yet throughout this glittering ecclesiastical career, it was well-known to many that McCarrick was a predatory homosexual with a penchant for handsome seminarians, in which he took a more than paternal interest. There was widespread gossip about what went on at his beach house, where seminarians would be invited to stay the night, and where there were never enough beds to go round, meaning one would always have to share a bed with McCarrick. But no one was ever prepared to go on record and denounce McCarrick. A concerned group of Catholics had tried to prevent his appointment to Washington, and travelled to Rome to do so, but their concerns were brushed aside on the grounds that there was no proof of misbehaviour. It was only in 2018, after McCarrick had long retired, that the floodgates of accusations opened. It was alleged that some five decades previously, while secretary to Cardinal Cooke, he had groped an altar boy who was being fitted for a cassock. At the same time, the dioceses of Metuchen and Newark admitted that they had made financial settlements to two former seminarians who had suffered McCarrick's attentions decades previously. In the wake of this came explosive allegations that McCarrick had abused a man, a close family friend, for more than 20 years, starting when he was 11. The Vatican acted first by suspending McCarrick from priestly ministry, and then by accepting his resignation as a cardinal (an almost unprecedented move), and sentencing him to a life of prayer and penance, as well as close confinement in a house of their choosing until such a time as a canonical trial could take place. In the meantime, one of America's most popular and feted clerics became the object of growing condemnation, stripped of various honorary degrees and reviled by all, while his former friends maintained a strict silence. Various Catholic bishops, including one who had shared a flat with the fallen Cardinal, declared that they had known nothing about his double life – something many found hard to believe. In person McCarrick had great charm, and as a celebrity priest he had been a friend of Bing Crosby and the Hearst family, among other famous American Catholics, all of whom were generous towards the causes for which he was raising funds. The seminarians he favoured were encouraged to call him Uncle Ted, and were frequent recipients of friendly, often affectionate, letters. In dress, McCarrick was rather shabby, and in demeanour he always affected to be a man of simple piety who never forgot his working class background and his deprived childhood. Many took this persona at face value. Yet he was also a man of enormous ambition, a skilled politician and shrewd manipulator. He took great pains to be as close as possible to Pope (now Saint) John Paul II, being, as one clerical observer put it, 'a genius at schmoozing'. It was this cultivation of the powerful that perhaps guaranteed his immunity from scrutiny and his continued high profile, even in retirement, for so long. Theodore McCarrick, born July 7 1930, died April 3 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Who is Vivek Ramaswamy, candidate for Ohio governor?
Who is Vivek Ramaswamy, candidate for Ohio governor? Vivek Ramaswamy launched his campaign for Ohio governor on Monday. Here's what you need to know about him: How old is Vivek Ramaswamy? he is 39 years old. He was born on Aug. 9, 1985. Where is Vivek Ramaswamy from? Ramaswamy was raised in the Cincinnati suburb of Evendale by Indian immigrant parents. His father worked as an engineer at General Electric Aviation and his mother was a geriatric psychiatrist. He now lives in the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington. Where did Vivek Ramaswamy go to high school and college? He was valedictorian at St. Xavier High School, a private all-boys Jesuit-run school west of Cincinnati. He went on to graduate from Harvard and Yale Law School. Who is Vivek Ramaswamy's wife? Apoorva Tewari Ramaswamy, a Yale School of Medicine graduate, physician and assistant professor at Ohio State University. The couple met at Yale and married in 2015. They have two sons. Has Vivek Ramaswamy held public office before? He never run for public office in Ohio. But he enters the race as its presumptive frontrunner because of his connections to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, whose former staff will run Ramaswamy's 2026 campaign. Ramaswamy is the latest version of the Republican up-and-comer who is uninterested in waiting in line to run statewide. In 2022, Vance defeated a state treasurer, state party chair and state senator in the Republican primary for Ohio Senate. U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, a Cleveland luxury car dealer, defeated the Ohio secretary of state and that same state senator in 2024 primary. Who is running for Ohio governor in 2026? Ramaswamy will face Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Morgan County's Heather Hill in the Republican primary for governor. Former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton is the sole Democrat in the race so far. The race has already seen several twists and turns even though the primary is more than a year away. DeWine's chosen successor, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, instead took an appointment to the U.S. Senate to replace Vance. Husted's successor, former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel, isn't ruling out a bid for governor. What are Vivek Ramswamy's political views? Ramaswamy built an "anti-woke" brand by opposing affirmative action and diversity, equity and inclusion. He founded a Dublin-based asset management company to compete against firms investing in progressive causes. He later moved the firm to Dallas. Ramaswamy was an early and ardent supporter of Trump's reelection bid after dropping out of the 2024 GOP primary himself. Speaking at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally before Election Day, Ramaswamy said: "Identity politics never works in America. When you select someone based on their race and their gender, it always ends up being a disaster." Ohio governor's race: See which candidates are running for 2026 Here are the candidates that have entered the 2026 race for governor in Ohio. "And I'm actually talking about (Democratic vice presidential nominee) Tim Walz this time," Ramaswamy quipped. Trump tapped Ramaswamy and billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE, which is tasked with cutting regulations and spending. But Ramaswamy recently left DOGE after Trump and Vance were sworn in. Why did Vivek Ramaswamy leave DOGE? A spokesperson for DOGE told the Associated Press that the commission's employees will be unable to run for office. Ramaswamy also faced criticism for defending technology companies' embrace of H-1B visas to hire foreign workers. He attributed such decisions to American 'mediocrity' and a cultural embrace of lazy sitcom characters. "A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers," he wrote. Watch: Vivek Ramaswamy's full 2024 RNC speech GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's full remarks at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. More: Smart, driven, a little 'arrogant': How Vivek Ramaswamy's Cincinnati roots shaped him How much is Vivek Ramaswamy worth? According to Forbes, Ramaswamy's net worth is more than $960 million. How did Vivek Ramswamy make his money? Ramaswamy founded the pharmaceutical research company Roivant Sciences in 2014. He co-founded the Dublin asset management company Strive Assessment Management in 2022. He has written three books titled, "Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam," "Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence" and "Truths: The Future of America First." More: How Vivek Ramaswamy got rich before going into politics What happened to Vivek Ramaswamy's 2024 presidential campaign? Ramaswamy launched a longshot bid for president in February 2023, focusing on fighting "COVID-ism, climate-ism and gender ideology." His campaign ended in January 2024 after coming in fourth place in the Iowa Republican caucuses. After dropping out of the race, Ramaswamy became a devoted surrogate for Trump on the campaign trail. He frequently defends Trump's policies on X, formerly known as Twitter. Trump even encouraged Ramaswamy to seek Vance's Senate seat in Ohio. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Scott Wartman and Carl Weiser and statehouse bureau reporter Haley BeMiller contributed to this article. Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio What do you think of Vivek Ramaswamy running for Ohio governor?
