His Life
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. Before entering the seminary, he worked as a chemical technician and nightclub bouncer. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969 and became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. He was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
On March 13, 2013, Bergoglio was elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. He made history as the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European pope since Gregory III in the 8th century.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was known for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. He championed environmental issues, reformed the Vatican bureaucracy, and worked to address clerical sexual abuse within the Church.
Key Moments
March 13, 2013
Elected as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church
July 2013
First papal visit to Lampedusa, highlighting the plight of refugees
May 24, 2015
Released encyclical "Laudato Si'" on care for our common home
December 8, 2015
Inaugurated the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
February 2019
Vatican summit on the protection of minors in the Church
October 2023
Synod on Synodality, emphasizing a more inclusive Church
His Teachings
"Let us be renewed by God's mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy."
"The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. In many parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are now covered with rubbish."
"A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just."
"Who am I to judge?"
"We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace."
"This economy kills."
His Legacy
Pope Francis will be remembered as a reformer who sought to make the Church more inclusive and responsive to the needs of the modern world. His emphasis on mercy, care for the poor, and environmental stewardship reshaped the Church's priorities and public image.
He worked tirelessly to reform the Vatican's finances and bureaucracy, making them more transparent and accountable. His efforts to address clerical sexual abuse, though criticized by some as insufficient, represented significant steps toward healing and reconciliation.
Perhaps most importantly, Pope Francis modeled a humble, pastoral approach to leadership that emphasized personal encounter and compassion over rigid adherence to rules. His legacy will continue to inspire believers and non-believers alike to build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.