APS Bank joins in the mourning for the departed Pope Francis and pays tribute to a much-loved Father and a beacon of compassion and humility.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as a Jesuit priest he was already tirelessly advocating for social justice, environmental protection, interfaith dialogue and dedication to the marginalised. In his later years as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and then Cardinal, his approachable demeanour and progressive views made him a beloved figure worldwide. As Pope Francis, he brought hope and solace to those in need, and a legacy of love and kindness. Above all, his papacy was marked by efforts to reform the Church and bring it closer to the people, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
But Pope Francis is also remembered for his teachings – too many to mention – about the common good which have been inspirational to our values-based banking. At the 4th Annual Meeting of ‘The Economy of Francesco’ between 6-8 October 2023, in Assisi, Pope Francis famously said: “The economy consists of market stalls, as well as hubs of international finance. There is the concrete economy made up of faces, looks, people, of small banks and businesses, and there is the economy that is so large as to seem abstract …. where is the meeting point between these opposites? It is in the authentic nature of the economy: being a place of inclusion and cooperation, a continuous generation of value to be created and shared with others.”
May his soul rest in the eternal peace of the Lord he so lovingly served.
