The elected president of Brazilthe leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, today congratulated the Pope Franciscowho turns 86 years old and who he said is “inspiration” and “example of life.”
“I wish good health to my friend Pope Francis, who turns 86 today,” Lula wrote on Twitter.
The message is accompanied by a photo in the Vatican, when in 2020 Lula visited the pontiff, on his first trip abroad after regaining his freedom.
I wish my friend Pope Francis good health, who is now 86 years old. An example of life, solidarity and dedication does not combat fome and inequality. May his words from him continue to inspire us in the search for a more fraternal world, of love and peace.
?: @ricardostuckert pic.twitter.com/ospe19Mqnp
– Lula (@LulaOficial) December 17, 2022
Lula spent 580 days in prison accused of corruption, but was released when the Brazilian Supreme Court annulled the two sentences against him. Thus he was able to return to politics and in the presidential elections last October he defeated the current president, the far-right Jair Bolsonaro.
The Catholic Information Agency (ACI Prensa) recalls that 2022 leaves memorable moments for Pope Francis. This year he has traveled to Malta, Canada, Kazakhstan and Bahrain. However, for health reasons he had to suspend his trips to Lebanon, and to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 1958 he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus at the Villa Devoto Seminary. Between 1967 and 1970 he studied theology at the Faculty of Theology of the Colegio Máximo de San José and was ordained a priest in 1969, at almost 33 years of age.
He continued his studies at the University of Alcalá Henares (Spain) and in 1973 he made his profession as a Jesuit. Back in Argentina he was novice master at Villa Barilari; professor at the Faculty of Theology of San Miguel; provincial consultant of the Society of Jesus, a position he held until 1979; and rector of the Colegio Máximo of the Faculty.
John Paul II named him Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992. In 2001, the same pope ordained him Cardinal.
He participated in the conclave that elected Benedict XVI in April 2005. In March 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio assumed the name of Francis, when he was elected the new pontiff.
