April 21, 2025
In this moment of unprecedented economic crisis in our country, it is essential to honor his legacy of compassion, the CTA-T stated.
On Monday, the Argentine Workers’ Central Union (CTA-T) issued a statement describing Pope Francis as “the prophet of the poor and social justice.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, he was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit pope in the history of the Catholic Church. This son of Italian immigrants grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Buenos Aires, where he was deeply influenced by his family’s faith and values.
He was ordained a priest in 1969 and later served as provincial superior of the Jesuits, earning a reputation for humility, intellectual rigor, and a strong commitment to social justice.
He was made a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II, and in the following years, he became increasingly known for his advocacy on behalf of the marginalized and his efforts to bridge divides within Argentine society. Below is the full statement issued by Argentine workers:
“The Argentine Workers’ Central Union expresses its deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, a transcendent figure who made the option for the poor, the defense of the planet as our ‘Common Home,’ and the building of bridges to other spaces his guiding principles.
In this moment of unprecedented economic crisis in our country, it is essential to honor his legacy of compassion and fight for social justice.
Francis was not only a religious leader but a pastor close to workers and the excluded. He wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the humblest, and his life was a testament to that.
Since his historic election as the first Latin American Pope, he transformed the Church through concrete actions: he appointed women to decision-making positions, including the first woman to head a Vatican office, and ensured their voices were heard in key bodies.
He was an ally in the struggle for equity, courageously confronting messages of hatred, the dehumanization caused by accumulated wealth, and the throwaway culture.
His commitment to peace led him to mediate global conflicts and reach out to other religions, from the Orthodox Church to Buddhist communities. He challenged conservatism, listened to dissenting voices, and turned the Vatican into a space for ecumenical and social dialogue.
Francis shared many of the values we defend every day: class solidarity, dignity for workers, and rebellion against injustice. We will remember him through the causes he embraced: a world without poverty, with rights for all, and sovereignty over common goods.”
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: CTA-T – teleSUR
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