Why Latino Catholics Loved Pope Francis.
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Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, passed away at age 88. He was loved by many people, especially Latino Catholics in the U.S. and Latin America. He was born in Argentina, spoke Spanish, and loved soccer, although he joked about not being very good at it. He connected with Latinos in a way that felt personal and direct. People saw him as kind, humble, and someone who truly cared about others, especially the poor and immigrants.
He became pope in 2013 and was known as a "pope of the people." Many Latinos felt he understood their lives. He talked about things that mattered to them, like immigration, poverty, justice, and faith. He even supported strong Latino traditions, like devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, an important figure in Mexican Catholicism.
Pope Francis made history by doing things that other popes hadn’t. For example, when he first became pope, he washed the feet of prisoners, a powerful symbol of humility and service. He also gave a high position in the Vatican to a nun, which was a big deal since the church usually doesn’t give women such roles. He cared deeply about people from all walks of life and believed the church should serve the poor and welcome everyone.
He was also very open about supporting immigrants. He often spoke about the struggles they face, especially those traveling to the U.S. He criticized harsh immigration policies, including those of former President Donald Trump, saying building walls instead of bridges was not the Christian way. In 2025, he appointed a strong supporter of migrants to lead the Archdiocese of Washington.
Pope Francis didn’t ignore tough topics. He spoke up about how the church should treat LGBTQ people with kindness and respect. He once said, “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gay priests. His words made many feel seen and accepted. Latino Catholics viewed him positively. Many felt he brought change, warmth, and hope to the Church. He will be missed.
