Pope Francis, born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the head of the Catholic Church, Bishop of Rome, and sovereign of the Vatican City State since 2013.
He was born on December 17 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is a Jesuit (member of the Society of Jesus).
Pope Francis was ordained a Catholic priest on December 13 1969 by Ramón José Castellano, the Archbishop of Córdoba, Argentina.
He was Consecrated as bishop on June 27 1992 by Antonio Quarracino, Cardinal of the Catholic Church of Argentina and the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
In 1998, Pope Francis became the archbishop of Buenos Aires after the death of Cardinal Antonio Quarracino.
On February 21 2001, he was created cardinal by St John Paul II, Pope, and remained a cardinal until March 13 2013 when he was elected as the pope.
In 2013, then Pope Benedict XVI unexpectedly resigned from his position citing lack of strength of mind and body due to his advanced age. He was 86 years old when he tendered his resignation.
As pope, he has focused on issues such as social justice, environmental protection, and peace. He has also sought to promote a more inclusive and compassionate Church, emphasizing the importance of mercy and forgiveness.
| Pope Francis Biography | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Date of Birth | December 17 1936 |
| Place of Birth | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Profession | Pope of the Catholic Church |
| Place of Work | Argentina and Rome |
Pope Francis Family
Pope Francis’s parents were Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sívori. His father was an Italian immigrant to Argentina and worked as a railway worker, while his mother was an Argentine native who worked as a housewife.
He is the oldest of five children, Alberto, and Omar Jorge Bergoglio, who are alive, and two deceased brothers, Oscar and Gonzalo.
Pope Francis Childhood
Growing up, Pope Francis had a close relationship with his family and was known for his caring and compassionate nature.
He enjoyed playing soccer and spending time with his siblings and extended family. He also worked for a time as a bouncer and a janitor as a young man
Education
Pope Francis received his early education in a public school in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He then attended the Colegio de la Inmaculada, a Jesuit high school, where he excelled academically and developed a strong interest in literature and history.
After high school, Pope Francis studied chemistry at the University of Buenos Aires and later enrolled in the Jesuit seminary, where he received his degree in philosophy.
He was ordained as a priest in 1969 and later earned a master’s degree in theology from the Catholic University of Buenos Aires.
Throughout his education, Pope Francis showed a strong commitment to social justice and service to the poor, values that have shaped his papacy and his efforts to promote peace and reconciliation around the world.
Papacy
Pope Francis was elected as Pope on March 13, 2013, during the papal conclave that followed the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. The conclave was attended by 115 cardinal electors, who were responsible for electing the new Pope.
The cardinal electors were locked in the Sistine Chapel, and each day they held two rounds of voting. The voting process was secret, and the cardinal electors were not allowed to communicate with anyone outside the conclave.
On the fifth day of the conclave, Pope Francis received the required two-thirds majority of votes and was declared the new Pope. He was elected on the fifth ballot, which is considered to be a relatively quick process compared to some past conclaves.
Pope Francis was elected as a compromise candidate, and he was the first Pope from the Americas, the first Pope from outside Europe in more than 1,200 years, and the first Pope to take the name Francis.
Pope Francis has made headlines for his humble and simple lifestyle, as well as his efforts to reform the Church and focus on social justice issues.
He has spoken out against corruption and income inequality, and has worked to bring the Church closer to the poor and marginalized.
Pope Francis has also made efforts to bridge divides within the Church, including reaching out to conservative and traditionalist Catholics, and has worked towards improving relations with other religions.
Overall, Pope Francis has been praised for his progressive and inclusive approach to the papacy, and his efforts to bring the Church closer to the modern world.
Pope Francis Travels Around the World
Pope Francis has traveled to many countries around the world since he became Pope in 2013. He has made visits to countries in South America, North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Some of his notable visits include:
- South America: Pope Francis is from Argentina, so he has made numerous visits to countries in South America. He has visited Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
- North America: Pope Francis has made two visits to the United States, one in 2015 and another in 2017. He has also visited Canada and Mexico.
- Europe: Pope Francis has visited many European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
- Africa: Pope Francis has made visits to several African countries, including Central African Republic, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Sudan, and Tanzania.
- Asia: Pope Francis has visited a number of countries in Asia, including the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. He has also visited the United Arab Emirates, which is located in the Middle East.
Health
Pope Francis is currently in good health and has shown no signs of any major health issues. He is 84 years old and has maintained a busy schedule, participating in numerous public events and ceremonies.
In 2019, he underwent a successful surgery to remove a small benign growth from his lung. However, he has otherwise remained in good health and has not reported any major health issues.
Pope Francis on Synodal Church
Pope Francis believes in a synodal church, which means a church that is open to dialogue and discernment, rather than one that is hierarchical and centralized.
He believes that the church should involve all members in the decision-making process, rather than just relying on the hierarchy to make decisions.
This includes listening to the voices of the laity and giving them a greater role in the governance of the church.
Pope Francis has also emphasized the importance of synodality in the process of implementing the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which he sees as a model for a more participatory and inclusive church.
View on War in Ukraine
Pope Francis has consistently spoken out against the war in Ukraine and has called for dialogue and peace between the parties involved.
In 2015, he visited Ukraine and called for an end to the conflict, saying, “I appeal to all those who have any influence, to leave no stone unturned to achieve a peaceful solution to the crisis.”
In subsequent statements, Pope Francis has continued to urge all parties to work towards peace and reconciliation, and has also called for the international community to support efforts to end the violence.
Pope Francis Quotes
- “We must not be afraid to confront the challenges that threaten our common home.”
- “The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty.”
- “We can’t be Christians without the cross. It’s not a decoration. It’s a part of us.”
- “No one can be excluded from the mercy of God.”
- “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”
- “We are called to be guardians of creation, not its masters.”
- “A culture of encounter requires that we be ready not only to give, but also to receive. Mutual exchange is at the heart of any truly human relationship.”
- “We have to acknowledge that we Christians have greatly contributed to the fact that this word is perceived as something insignificant, superficial, and even contradictory.”
- “The environment is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.”
- “We must always remember that the other person, regardless of their beliefs, is a child of God and therefore our brother or sister.”
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