To the world, he was Pope Francis the first Latin American pope, a spiritual leader to over a billion Catholics, and a champion of the poor. But to José Ignacio Bergoglio, he was simply “Uncle Jorge” warm, wise, a little cheeky, and deeply loved.
As tributes pour in from around the globe following the Pope’s death earlier this week, his nephew spoke from Buenos Aires about the man behind the papal robes. “He was a father figure to me,” José Ignacio told BBC News Mundo. “He could be serious when needed, but he never lost his spontaneity or his sense of humour.”
A Pope With Roots in a Tight-Knit Family
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis was the eldest of five children in a modest, middle class Argentine family. His younger sister María Elena now 77 and the last surviving sibling remained especially close to him throughout his life.
José Ignacio, María Elena’s son, lost his own father at a young age. He says his uncle Jorge stepped in without hesitation, offering support, advice, and a strong moral compass. “He taught me the value of humility, solidarity, and commitment. He didn’t just preach it he lived it.”
‘I Dropped to My Knees’
Like many, José Ignacio remembers exactly where he was the day his uncle was elected pope in 2013. “I dropped to my knees in front of the television and cried,” he recalled. “Then, that night, he called us and even though he’d just become the Pope, he still spoke in Argentine slang like always. It was so Jorge.”
While hundreds of thousands are expected at Pope Francis’s funeral in St. Peter’s Square in Rome this Saturday, the Bergoglio family is choosing to stay home in Argentina. “We firmly believe our place is here,” José Ignacio said.
Instead of attending in person, he’s urging those mourning around the world to honour the Pope’s legacy by doing what he would have wanted: donate to charity. “That would be the most meaningful tribute to him,” he said.
A Pope, an Uncle and a Wise Mentor
In their final conversation, José Ignacio shared some joyful news: his wife is expecting. The Pope was thrilled. “He was so happy,” José Ignacio said, visibly emotional. “And even then, he was still guiding me.”
One of the greatest pieces of advice his uncle ever gave him came when he was a teenager. It wasn’t dressed in theology or wrapped in ritual it was simple and powerful.
“Change comes from within, through commitment,” Jorge had told him.
“If you’re unhappy with the police, become a policeman and change it from within. If you’re dissatisfied with politics, get involved in politics. With commitment and conviction, we can create a better world.”
“I think this is one of the most profound lessons I’ve ever learnt,” José Ignacio said.
A Legacy That Lives On
As millions prepare to say goodbye to Pope Francis, José Ignacio reminds us that his uncle’s greatest work wasn’t just in Vatican speeches or global headlines. It was in the personal the advice given over a family meal, the quiet acts of kindness, the consistent call to choose compassion over judgment.
“He may be gone,” José Ignacio said, “but his message isn’t. And now, it’s up to us to live it.”
