Pope Francis’s nephew remembers father figure ‘Uncle Jorge’

For his family, Pope Francis was simply “Jorge Mario” – even during the 12 -year -old.

“When Jorge decided to accept the papacy, he understood his life because he knows that it will change forever, and so we did,” said the son of the Pope’s brother, Jose Ignacio Bergolio, to BBC News Mondo.

“When we heard about his death, this came with a certain comfort of the soul, because we knew that our loved ones were finally in peace, and again, it was simply our uncle Jorge.”

Before he became the first Latin America to lead the Catholic Church, Pope Francis was Jorge Mario Bergolio, born in a middle -class family accumulated in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.

The largest of five brothers, their link often described as “closer to one fingers.”

Among them, he participated in a special relationship in particular with his younger sister, Maria Elena – is now the only remaining member in his direct family.

Pope Francis also played a pivotal 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 uncles, Alberto and George have become the father’s numbers that were deeply missed as a child.”

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

Jose Ignacio clearly remembers the day that his uncle was elected, the moment he was amazed, especially after he rejected all speculation that Jorge could ascend to the papacy.

“I went to the family friend’s house for a meal, and we started watching the committee. The moment the white smoke rose, I started trembling. I became incredibly tense,” he said.

• You can watch and follow the funeral directly here on the BBC website and application. In the UK, there will be live coverage on the BBC one of 0830-1230 BST, presented by Rete Chakrabarti, available to watch on iplayer. There will also be live coverage on BBC News channel It was presented by Maryam Machiri. Finally, you can also follow the funeral coverage on BBC World Service

“After that, Prodoucon came out and announced,” Habemus Papam “. I only heard” Giorgio Mario “. I fell on my knee in front of the TV and started crying.”

The short journey to exchange news with his mother, who lived only 15 buildings, took a much longer time than usual. Everywhere he went, the local residents stopped him to offer our congratulations.

“At home, my mother embraced, we cried together for a while. Then the cousins ​​and friends began to reach, and the phone was wearing the hook.”

Amid chaos, with the local and international media, the camp outside its door, the phone ranging again at 9 pm. “Hello,” said.

“I am talking,” I asked. “It is Jorge, Bododo,” the response came [using the rude slang Argentines use for “idiot”, often affectionately].

“Pope Francis, the right,” was remembered by Jose Ignacio. “I handed the phone to my mother. While they spoke, I saw her tears dry. It was an incredibly impressive moment.”

Hundreds of thousands are expected to meet in Saint Peter’s Square on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis, including world leaders, Catholic officials and Shiites from all over the world.

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

“We believe a firm belief in our place here,” he explained, encouraged the mourners to respect Pope Francis’s memory by donating charities, a gesture believed to be a more feasible honor.

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

“The joy and passion he expressed was a deep meaning to me,” he said, adding that Pope Francis left him with a strong message to live a life of solidarity, austerity, humility and commitment.

He also mentions a conversation from adolescence when his uncle Cardinal was, remembering as the best advice he has ever received on how to make the world a better place.

“Change comes from the inside, through commitment,” his uncle told him.

He said: “If you are not satisfied with the police, then you become a policeman and change it from the inside. If you are not satisfied with politics, involved in politics. With commitment and condemnation, we can create a better world.”

“I think this is one of the most deep lessons I learned from it.”