Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, serving from March 13, 2013, until his death on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. As the first pope from the Americas, the first from South America, and the first Jesuit pope, Francis left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and the world. Known for his humility, commitment to social justice, and efforts to reform the Church, his papacy was both transformative and polarizing.
Early Life and Background
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents, Mario José Bergoglio, a railway accountant, and Regina María Sívori, a homemaker. The eldest of five children, Bergoglio grew up in a working-class family with strong Italian roots. His upbringing in a culturally rich but economically modest environment shaped his lifelong empathy for the poor and marginalized.
As a young man, Bergoglio faced a significant health challenge. At 21, he contracted severe pneumonia, which led to the partial removal of his right lung. Despite this, he maintained robust health throughout much of his life, defying expectations for someone with such a condition.
Before pursuing a religious vocation, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technician after earning a technical degree. He also took on eclectic jobs, including working as a bouncer in a Buenos Aires bar and as a janitor, experiences that grounded his understanding of ordinary people’s struggles.
Path to Priesthood and Jesuit Formation
Bergoglio’s call to the priesthood came early, solidified by a profound spiritual experience at age 17. In 1958, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), a religious order known for its emphasis on education, missionary work, and intellectual rigor. He studied humanities in Santiago, Chile, and earned a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio de San José in San Miguel, Argentina, in 1963.
From 1964 to 1966, Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at Jesuit-run schools in Argentina, showcasing his academic prowess. He pursued theological studies and was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969. In 1973, he made his final profession with the Jesuits and was appointed provincial superior of the Argentine Jesuits, a role he held until 1979.
His leadership during this period coincided with Argentina’s turbulent “Dirty War” (1976–1983), a time of military dictatorship and widespread human rights abuses. Bergoglio faced allegations of complicity in the junta’s actions, particularly regarding the kidnapping of two Jesuit priests. However, biographers and witnesses, including his authorized biographer Sergio Rubin, assert that Bergoglio worked discreetly to protect dissidents, sheltering people on church property and even providing his identity papers to help one man flee the country. The Vatican has denied any wrongdoing, and Bergoglio’s efforts to open Vatican archives on the dictatorship for victims’ families further support his defenders’ claims.
Rise in the Church Hierarchy
In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed Bergoglio as an auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. He chose the episcopal motto miserando atque eligendo (“by having mercy, he chose him”), reflecting his focus on compassion and divine mercy. By 1997, he was named coadjutor archbishop
, and in 1998, he succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. In 2001, John Paul II elevated him to cardinal.
As archbishop, Bergoglio became known for his simplicity and accessibility. He lived in a modest apartment, cooked his own meals, and traveled by public transport. His pastoral approach emphasized evangelization, community engagement, and care for the poor, launching initiatives like a solidarity campaign for Argentina’s bicentennial that established 200 charitable agencies by 2016.
Election as Pope and Papal Name
Following Pope Benedict XVI’s unexpected resignation in February 2013, Bergoglio emerged as a surprise candidate in the papal conclave. Elected on March 13, 2013, on the fifth ballot, he chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his devotion to poverty and peace. The choice was inspired by Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, who, upon Bergoglio’s election, urged him, “Don’t forget the poor!”
As the first Pope Francis, he declined to use the numeral “I,” breaking with tradition. His election marked several historic firsts: the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European pope since Syrian Pope Gregory III in 741.
Papacy: Themes and Achievements
Pope Francis’s papacy was defined by humility, social justice, and reform. From his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he greeted the crowd with a simple “Buona sera” (“Good evening”), he signaled a departure from the pomp of previous pontiffs. He opted to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta rather than the lavish Apostolic Palace and wore a simple white cassock.
Advocacy for the Poor and Marginalized
Francis consistently championed the poor, refugees, and marginalized. His 2013 visit to Lampedusa, Italy, highlighted the plight of African migrants, condemning the “globalization of indifference.” His encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015) linked environmental degradation to economic inequality, calling for action on climate change and criticizing “throwaway culture.”
He made numerous international trips—over 30 in his first seven years—visiting more than 45 countries, including Cuba, the United States, the Philippines, and Muslim-majority nations like Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. His visits often focused on ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and support for vulnerable populations.
Church Reforms
Francis sought to reform the Vatican’s bureaucracy, particularly the Curia and the Institute for the Works of Religion (Vatican Bank), which had faced allegations of corruption. In 2013, he appointed a council of eight cardinals to advise on governance and established a commission to investigate the bank’s operations. In 2014, he replaced several cardinal overseers, signaling a commitment to transparency.
His 2019 motu proprio Vos Estis Lux Mundi introduced policies to address sexual abuse allegations against bishops, a response to the global clergy abuse crisis. However, his handling of specific cases, such as the defense of Chilean Bishop Juan Barros, drew criticism, leading to a public apology and the resignation of Chile’s bishops in 2018.
Social and Moral Stances
While upholding traditional Catholic teachings on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, Francis adopted a more pastoral tone. He famously remarked, “Who am I to judge?” regarding gay Catholics, signaling a shift toward inclusion. He supported civil unions for same-sex couples to ensure legal protections, though he maintained the Church’s stance on marriage as between a man and a woman.
Francis also emphasized mercy, encouraging priests to show compassion in confession and promoting the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016. His encyclical Lumen Fidei (2013) and apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (2013) underscored faith and evangelization, urging Catholics to live joyfully and engage with the world.
Environmental Advocacy
Laudato Si’ was a landmark document, framing environmental stewardship as a moral imperative. Francis connected climate change to social injustice, advocating for sustainable development and the rights of Indigenous peoples. His 2022 documentary The Letter: A Message for Our Earth further amplified this message.
Controversies and Challenges
Francis’s progressive stances and reforms sparked opposition from conservative factions within the Church. Critics accused him of diluting doctrine, particularly on issues like divorce, remarriage, and homosexuality. His critique of unfettered capitalism and “clericalism” alienated some traditionalists, who viewed his focus on social justice as a departure from theological priorities.
His handling of the clergy abuse crisis, particularly the Theodore McCarrick case, drew scrutiny. A 2020 Vatican report revealed institutional failures under previous popes, but Francis’s initial reluctance to act decisively frustrated survivors and advocates.
Health challenges also marked his later years. In 2025, Francis was hospitalized for a serious respiratory infection, raising concerns about his ability to lead amid the Holy Year Jubilee celebrations. Despite stabilizing, his condition remained precarious, and he passed away on April 21, 2025, at Casa Santa Marta, marking the end of his papacy.
Personal Traits and Interests
Francis was known for his simplicity and approachability. A polyglot fluent in Spanish, Italian, and Latin, with proficiency in German, French, Portuguese, English, and Ukrainian, he connected with diverse audiences. He enjoyed Italian neorealist films, opera, and literature by authors like Jorge Luis Borges and Fyodor Dostoevsky. A passionate football fan, he supported Buenos Aires’s San Lorenzo de Almagro club.
In 2015, he released a progressive rock album, Wake Up!, featuring his speeches set to music, and in January 2025, he published a memoir, Hope, the first autobiography by a sitting pope. The book chronicled his life, faith, and papacy, emphasizing hope as a guiding principle.
Legacy and Impact
Pope Francis’s papacy reshaped the Catholic Church’s global image, emphasizing mercy, inclusivity, and social justice. His reforms, while incomplete, addressed systemic issues like financial transparency and clergy abuse. His environmental advocacy positioned the Church as a moral voice in the climate crisis, and his interfaith efforts, including a historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in 2021, fostered dialogue across religions.
However, his tenure was not without division. Conservatives criticized his perceived leniency on doctrine, while progressives wished for bolder changes, such as women’s ordination or married priests. His emphasis on a “poor Church for the poor” challenged the institution to live its Gospel values, leaving a legacy of humility and service.
Conclusion
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was a transformative figure whose life reflected the tensions of a global Church navigating modernity. From his roots in Buenos Aires to his final days in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, he embodied humility, compassion, and a relentless focus on the marginalized. His papacy, marked by historic firsts and bold reforms, will be remembered as a call to return to the Gospel’s core: love, mercy, and justice.
