Pope Francis

ABOUT

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He became Pope on March 13, 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI who retired. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. His papacy has been marked by a strong commitment to issues of social justice, humility, and a message of care for the poor and marginalized. He has emphasized the importance of mercy and the need for people to engage with contemporary social issues, including environmentalism and economic inequality.

BEFORE FAME

Jorge Mario Bergoglio pursued a path in chemistry, working as a technician before he felt the call to the priesthood. He entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) on March 11, 1958. He studied humanities in Chile and earned a licentiate in philosophy in Buenos Aires. He was ordained as a priest on December 13, 1969. He served in various capacities, including as a novice master and later as the provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina from 1973 to 1979.

During the 1980s, he furthered his theological education in Germany and later became a professor and rector at the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel. Before becoming Pope, he took on several critical roles within the church, eventually becoming the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and a cardinal in 2001.

TRIVIA

• Pope Francis has a background in chemistry and once worked as a technician in a food science lab before joining the priesthood.
• He is known for his simple living, having opted to reside in a modest guesthouse rather than the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace.
• He named himself after St. Francis of Assisi, reflecting his commitment to humility, peace, and care for creation.
• Pope Francis is known for his approachable and down-to-earth demeanor, often engaging directly with the public and foregoing many traditional papal formalities.
• He released an encyclical titled "Laudato Si’" in 2015, which focuses on environmental issues and calls for global action on climate change.

FAMILY LIFE

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born to Italian immigrant parents, Mario Jose Bergoglio and Regina Maria Sivori. His father worked as a railway worker and his mother was a housewife. The Pope is the eldest of five children. Despite his immense responsibilities as the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis maintains a close bond with his family and often speaks about his upbringing and the influence of his parents' values on his life.

ASSOCIATED WITH

Pope Francis is frequently associated with his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who retired, leading to Francis's election as Pope. He is also widely associated with global figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, who, like Francis, advocate for peace, justice, and interfaith dialogue. Moreover, his strong stance on climate change and social justice has led to associations with global movements like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and various humanitarian organizations.

Pope Francis's influence reaches beyond the Catholic Church, impacting global discussions on morality, ethics, and human dignity. Through his leadership, he continues to inspire millions with his message of compassion, mercy, and respect for all creation.