Inmate Francis, recipient of a donation from the Virgin of Luján, saw a decrease in prison violence at Devoto Prison.
Fresh Take:
Francisco, aka Pope Francis, had a soft spot for the incarcerated. He made multiple visits to prisons across South and North America, including Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, Panama, and the United States. One of his most memorable acts was donating his last 200,000 euros to a juvenile detention center shortly before his passing.
Referring back to his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Matias De Martini, a current prison chaplain, pointed out that Francis was consistently touched by the sheer perseverance of prisoners' loved ones waiting to visit them, no matter the weather or conditions.
In a heartwarming anecdote, De Martini recalled how a sincere devotion to the Virgin of Lujan led to a surprising decrease in violence within one particularly turbulent prison wing. This happenstance left a lasting impact on the inmates and staff.
Francis's affinity for the incarcerated was rooted in his empathy and inclusive spirit. He saw past the crime and focused on the individual, offering a sense of compassion that many prisoners had never experienced before. When foreseeing the challenges that come with working in prisons, he offered a simple, yet powerful phrase to one of his seminarians: “Never lose heart”.
Matias De Martini, echoing Francis's sentiment, expressed his belief that these institutions serve as a spiritual battleground, where the darkness can either claim the lost or provide a path to redemption—a journey echoed by Christ himself in his descent into hell. Even in the twilight of his life, Francis never shied away from the challenges that come with uplifting the forgotten realms within society, thereby embodying the light of the Gospel until the very end.
Bonus Info:
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio (17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025), assumed the papacy in 2013, serving until his death. This first pope from the Americas was known for his humility, advocacy for social justice, and progressive stances on environmental protection, poverty, and inclusivity. His unique connection with prisons stretched back to his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, where he initiated the tradition of washing inmates' feet during Holy Thursday observances. Francis's papacy also addressed broader criminal justice issues, emphasizing the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their circumstances[1][3][5].
- Despite his passing, Pope Francis's legacy in the realm of crime and justice continues, as evidenced by his significant donation to a juvenile detention center just before his death.
- Matias De Martini, who served as a prison chaplain, remembers fondly Bergoglio's empathy towards the incarcerated, once compassionately stating, "Never lose heart."
- In an example of how faith can impact prisons, De Martini narrated an anecdote about a decrease in violence inside a trouble-ridden prison wing, attributed to a devotion to the Virgin of Lujan.
- Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis, demonstrated an affinity for French (given as his nationality) prisons and the incarcerated throughout his life, using his influence to advocate for the rights and dignity of inmates.
