Pope Francis’ nephew remembers the figure of Uncle Jorge’s father

For his family, Pope Francis was just “Jorge Mario” – even in the 12th years when he was Pontiff.

“When Jorge decided to accept the papacy, he understood his life because he knew that it would change forever, as we were,” Pope’s nephew Jose Ignacio Bergoglio told BBC News Mundo.

“When we heard about his passage, he came with a definite comfort of the soul, because we knew that our beloved man was finally in peace and once again he was just our uncle Jorge.”

Prior to becoming the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, Pope Francis is Jorge Mario Bergolia, born in a mid -middle -class household in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

The largest of five siblings, he often defines their relationship as “as close as the fingers of one hand.”

Among them, he shared a particularly special relationship with his younger sister Maria Elena – now the only surviving member of his nearby family.

Pope Francis also played a major role in the life of his nephew, the son of Maria Elena Jose Ignacio, who grew up without a father.

“I always say that my two uncle, Alberto and Jorge, became the father figures I missed as deep as a child,” said Jose Ignacio.

“Jorge knew how to be serious when necessary, but he never lost his spontaneity or his sense of humor. He was a warm, accessible uncle and I loved him deeply.”

Jose Ignacio remembers the day when his uncle was chosen as a pope, a moment that stunned him, especially after he rejected all speculation that Jorge could climb the papacy.

“I had gone to the house of a family friend for meals and we started watching a conclave. The moment the white smoke rose, I started shaking. I became incredibly nervous,” he said.

“Then the protodon came out and announced,” Habem Pamam. ” I only heard Giorgio Mario. I went down to my knees in front of the TV and started crying. “

The short journey to share the news with his mother, who lived only at 15 blocks, took a lot more time than usual. Everywhere he went, the locals stopped him to offer congratulations.

“I hugged my mother at home and we cried together for a while. Then cousins ​​and friends started arriving and the phone rings on the hook.”

Against the backdrop of chaos, with local and international media camping at their door, the phone rang again around 9:00 pm. The distant voice from the other end simply said, “Hello.”

“Who I’m talking to,” I asked. “This is Jorge, Boluda,” the answer came (using the rough jarg Argentines for “idiot”, often attached).

“It was Pope Francis, swearing,” Jose Ignacio remembered. “I handed my mom’s phone. As they spoke, I watched her tears dry up. It was an incredibly moving moment.”

Hundreds of thousands are expected to gather on St. Peter Square on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis, including world leaders, Catholic officials and sorrows from around the world.

However, Jose Ignacio said his family had no plans to travel to Rome for the service.

“We firmly believe that our place is here,” he explained, encouraging the mourners to honor the memory of Pope Francis, donating for charity, a gesture that he thinks will be more thoughtful.

Jose Ignacio shared the news of his wife’s pregnancy with the pope during their last conversation, a moment that will remain in his memory forever.

“The joy and emotion he expressed to me were deeply meaningful,” he said, adding that Pope Francis had left him a powerful message to live a life of solidarity, rigorous savings, humility and commitment.

He also remembered a conversation from his teenage years when his uncle was a cardinal, recalling him as the best advice he had ever received how to make the world a better place.

“Change comes from within, through engagement,” his uncle told him.

“If you are dissatisfied with the police, become a police officer and change him inside. If you are dissatisfied with politics, get involved in politics. With commitment and conviction, we can create a better world,” he said.

“I think this is one of the deepest lessons I’ve learned from him.”