Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buonas Aires, Argentina on the 17th of December 1936 to Italian immigrants. Although he graduated as a chemical technician he became inspired to become a priest during confession as a young man stating: “I was not the same, I had heard something like a voice or a call. I was convinced that I should become a priest.” He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969.
On the 13th of March 2013, Bergoglio became the Pope taking the name Francis. Pope Francis has always felt a particular responsibility towards the poor and so chose to call himself after Saint Francis of Assisi, who was known for his dedication to the less fortunate.
Pope Francis quickly became a beloved Pope, using his position to share the teachings of the Church and to also modernize aspects of the Vatican (he is the sovereign of the independent city-state, as well). With his sermons, speeches, and statements, he has reached out to the faithful while also striving to spread the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis has shared many inspiring quotes during his time as Pope, as well as before he took on the role. Here are 15 quotes that I felt summoned up best the character of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis Quotes
On life
“The most important thing in the life of every man and every woman is not that they should never fall along the way. The important thing is always get back up, not to stay on the ground licking your wounds.”
“If we start without confidence, we have already lost half the battle and we busy our talents.”
“We can get angry: it’s even healthy to get angry from time to time.”
On Equality
“Human rights are not only violated by terrorism, repression or assassination, but also by unfair economic structures that create huge inequalities.”
On Women
“We have to work hard to develop a profound theology of women within the church. The feminine genius is needed whenever we make important decisions.”
“In the Church, and in the journey of faith, women have had and still have a special role in opening doors to the Lord.”
“A church without women would be like the apostolic college without Mary. The Madonna is more important than the apostles, and the church herself is feminine, the spouse of Christ and a mother.”
On Gay Rights
“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge? We shouldn’t marginalize people for this. They must be integrated into society.”
On God
“I have a dogmatic certainty: God is in every person’s life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else. God is in this person’s life. You can, you must try to seek God in every human life.”
“The Lord never tires of forgiving, it is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.”
“Since many of you do not belong to the Catholic Church and others are nonbelievers, from the bottom of my heart I will give the silent blessing to each and every one of you but knowing that each one of you is a child of God.”
On the Church
“I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out in the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.”
On himself
“I love tango, and I used to dance when I was young.”
“Some people want to know why I wish to be called Francis. For me, Francis of Assisi is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.”
On the Media
“The media only writes about the sinners and the scandal, but that’s normal because a tree that falls makes more noise than a forest that grows.”
Do you have any other favorite Pope Francis quotes?
Featured photo: Jeffrey Bruno CC By SA 2.0
