On March 13, 2013, the bells of the Catholic churches around the world repressed. The white smoke left the fireplace installed in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which meant the choice of a new Pope.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope number 266 and the first Latin American pontiff. In addition, he chose an unprecedented name from Landon, in 913.
His inspiration was Francisco de Asís, founder of the Franciscan order in the thirteenth century, and Pope Francis emerged.
In his first appearance in the Plaza de San Pedro, Bergoglio, 76 at that time, timidly joked about the fact that the cardinals had gone to look for “at the end of the world”, after more than 13 centuries of European pontiffs.
That was the first time that Francisco asked the faithful to pray for him, a request he reiterated in each meeting he held.
12 years after being appointed pontiff, This Monday, April 21, Pope Francis died after several months with health problems.
During these 12 years, the Supreme Pontiff held a close relationship with Guatemala, having the country present in its prayers in the most difficult times.
These are the most outstanding ten moments:
1. 2025: Pope Francis shows his regret by tragic accident in Guatemala
In one Mass officiated by the Metropolitan ArchbishopGonzalo de Villa, in Memory of the 54 people who lost their lives in the bus accident at the Belize bridgeon Monday, February 10, the Apostolic Nuncio Francisco Montecillo Padilla read a message of Pope Francis for the relatives of the victims and the injured.
“The Holy Father, vividly sorry to know the painful news of the fall of a bus in a cliff in Guatemala City, which has caused numerous victims and injured, offers suffrages for the eternal rest of the deceased,” said the message.
Pope Francis also transmitted his “condolences to the relatives of the deceased, along with his expressions of comfort, live request and wishes suddenly restoration of the injured.” In addition, she taught her “comforting apostolic blessing, as a sign of hope in the risen Lord.”
2. 2024: Adriana Ruano meets Pope Francis after winning his gold medal in Paris
After having conquered the gold medal at the Olympic Games of Paris 2024, The Guatemalan shooter Adriana Ruano He took advantage of his stay in Europe and decided to visit the city of the Vatican. The national athlete He went to the headquarters of the Catholic Church to meet Pope Francis and had the opportunity to teach him the gold medal obtained in France.
Ruano, in addition to showing the medal to the pontiff and telling him that it was the first medal for Guatemala, asked him to bless her and handed her the pin that the Guatemalan delegation used in the Olympic Games of Paris 2024.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzel74i7dlq
3. 2024: Pope Francis receives the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala
In June 2024, the Holy Father received in private audience the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Ramiro Martínez, in the apostolic palace of the Vatican.
In this meeting issues such as peace, migration and climate change were addressed. In addition, an invitation was formalized again for the Supreme Pontiff to visit Guatemala.
During the meeting, Pope Francis also stressed his love and estimates for the people of Guatemala.
4. 2022: Pope Francis blessed Guatemalan Birth exposed in the Vatican
On December 3, 2022, Pope Francis inaugurated in the Vatican a Guatemalan birth in the classroom Paul VIaccompanied by representatives of the country and Catholic events.
The manger, prepared by local artisans and decorated with colored fabrics and wood figures, represented that Christmas in the Vatican.
The Guatemalan birth, inspired by the biblical passage where heaven opens during the birth of Jesus, was made by more than 30 artists and had natural size figures, highlighting a replica of the Child Jesus of Miguel Ángel Asturias.
5. 2021: Pope Francis praises the example of Blessed and other Guatemalan martyrs
In 2021, Pope Francis celebrated the beatification of the priest José María Gran Cirra and nine other members of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who were killed in Guatemala between 1980 and 1991.
The Pope stressed that his life of “justice and love” represents an example for all, especially during the persecution of the Catholic Church committed to the defense of the poor.
The martyrs of faith and their testimony of courage and generosity were recognized by the Supreme Pontiff during a prayer in the Plaza de San Pedro.
Among the martyred were great Cirra, who, after being sent to Guatemala in 1975, dedicated his life to the defense of the poorest and indigenous people, until he was killed together with the Sacristan Domingo del Barrio Batz in 1980.
6. 2020: Pope Francis sends a message of support to the victims of Hurricane ETA in Central America and Guatemala
November 10, 2020, During his greeting after the Mariano del Ángelus prayer, Pope Francis said His solidarity with the inhabitants of Central America, who were severely affected by the Hurricane ETA pass.
The natural phenomenon caused about 200 dead and missing, especially in Guatemala. The Pope requested that “the Lord welcome the deceased, to comfort their families and strengthen those affected, in addition to blessing the work of those who are dedicating themselves to humanitarian aid.”
7. 2019: Álvaro Ramazzini is a cardinal invested by Pope Francis
On October 5, 2019, Pope Francis appointed the Guatemalan Monsignor Álvaro Ramazzini as a cardinal During a ceremony held in the Basilica of San Pedro, in the Vatican.
Ramazzini, Archbishop of Huehuetenango and recognized defender of the rights of migrants, indigenous people and environmental causes, was designated as one of the 13 new cardinals appointed by the Pope and will have the right to vote in future conclaves.
8. 2018: Pope expresses his closeness with Guatemala for the eruption of the Fire Volcano
Pope Francis He expressed his deep sadness and closeness with the people of Guatemala after the eruption of the fire volcano that occurred in 2018which left 69 dead and almost two million affected.
Through a message sent to the Apostolic Nuncio in Guatemala, the Pope lamented the loss of lives and the great material damage caused by the natural disaster.
In his message, the Pontiff offered prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased and for all those who suffered the consequences of the tragedy, in addition to providing comfort to families and support for those affected.
On that occasion, the Pontiff also asked the Lord to “spill gifts of solidarity and hope about the Guatemalan population in these difficult moments.”
9. 2017: Pope Francis expresses his pain for tragedy in the Virgen de la Asunción safe home
In 2017, The Holy Father expressed his deep sadness and closeness with the population of Guatemala After the tragic fire that occurred on March 8 in the Virgen de la Asunción safe homewhich caused the death of 40 minors.
During his greeting after the prayer of the Angelus, the Pope offered prayers for the victims, requested the healing of the injured and comforted the affected families.
In addition, he condemned the violence and exploitation of minors, describing it as a “plague” that must be heard by all. The Pontiff also asked to pray for all children victims of violence, abuse and exploitation in the world.
10. 2015: Pope Francis receives artists Quetzaltecos
The Quetzalteco de Danza Raíces Group visited Pope Francis last Wednesday in the city of the Vatican, with the aim of obsequiar a representative image of the child of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as a doll with the ceremonial suit of Quetzaltenango, authorities of the Artistic Group reported.
The activity was held during a general audience that the Supreme Pontiff offered in the Plaza de San Pedro, in which he issued a speech about poverty and against the culture of consumerism.
