Photos Showing The Life Of Pope Francis
The man who would someday be known as Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
From these humble beginnings, Bergoglio chose to pursue the Jesuit order — a path that eventually led him to the papacy. In his time as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis became one of the most well-liked pontiffs in recent memory.
He was the oldest of five children.
Born to parents Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sívori (seen here on their wedding day), the young Bergoglio was a first generation Argentinian as both of his parents had fled fascist Italy in 1929.
Jorge Bergoglio was born in 1936, and four siblings would follow in the years to come.
He graduated with a chemical technician’s diploma.
The young Bergoglio, aged 12 at the time, is the fourth from left in the middle row of this class photo. He graduated from a technical secondary school and began pursuing a career.
With his chemical technician’s diploma, he spent time working in a food laboratory and also worked as a janitor and bouncer. But a spiritual awakening would change his trajectory.
He joined the Jesuit order in 1958.
As he tells it, Bergoglio was going to confession and was inspired by a priest, which prompted him to travel to Chile to study the humanities.
With this background, he officially became a Jesuit in March of 1960, and made vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as a member of the order.
He was dedicated to education and pastoral work.
Bergoglio’s grassroots efforts were quickly noticed, and in 1973 he was named Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina.
With Argentina under an oppressive regime, Bergoglio advocated for human rights and worked discreetly to helped those persecuted by the regime. In 1992, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, and in 1998 he was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
He was named pope in 2013.
Following the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in February of 2013, Bergoglio was elected pope following a papal conclave.
He was officially elected on March 13, receiving 77 votes out of 115. He chose the name “Francis” in honor of St. Francis of Assisi — a symbolic choice to reflect his commitment to simplicity and humility with a focus on the poor.
He was the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
His papacy was historic for a few reasons, as Francis was the first pope from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first Jesuit.
Right from the start, Francis maintained his commitment to humility, staying in a simple guesthouse rather than the luxurious papal apartments at the Vatican.
Mercy and compassion are central tenets for Francis.
Francis made a concerted effort to focus on social justice and Church reform, with efforts to make the Church more inclusive and prioritize those on the margins of society.
Throughout his papacy, he’s called for the Church to be a welcoming place to all, especially those who are suffering or excluded.
He’s a strong advocate for the poor.
Unlike most of his predecessors, Francis has prioritized advocacy for poor people and social justice in general, speaking about themes such as inequality, climate change, refugees, and migration.
His 2015 encyclical (essentially a letter sent to various churches) said that humanity has a moral imperative to care for the environment and be responsible stewards for future generations.
Solidarity is important.
Francis, seen here in his native Argentina with soccer legend Diego Maradona, has been a staunch advocate of solidarity and sustainability in a changing world.
He’s also made changes within the broader Catholic Church, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and a more decentralized approach to how the Church is run.
Interfaith dialogue has also been a focus.
Building ties between different religions has been a core focus of Pope Francis, as the pontiff has made efforts to engage in dialogues with the Orthodox Church and various Protestant communities.
Further engagement with other religions — especially Judaism and Islam — has promoted peace and mutual respect, with an emphasis on the common values shared by these faiths.
He’s taken on some of the skeletons in the Church’s closet.
Perhaps the most challenging — and controversial — aspect of his papacy is the ongoing abuse crisis within the Catholic Church.
Francis has addressed these scandals by establishing new procedures for handling accusations, a renewed effort on holding bishops accountable for failing to act, and engaging in dialogue with victims.
He’s also tackled other divisive issues.
In a Church known for its male leadership, Francis has emphasized the importance of synodality — in effect the notion that the Church should listen to and involve the faithful, including women and laypeople, in decision-making processes.
He’s also encouraged dialogue on issues such as divorce, same-sex marriage, and the role of women within the Church.
He’s a staunch supporter of human rights.
On the global stage, Pope Francis has been unwavering in his advocacy for peace, human rights, and dialogue between nations — positions that he held long before being named pontiff.
His visits to countries around the world have had pronounced effects, including a role in thawing the relations between the United States and Cuba.
He’s one of the most important popes of recent times.
Pope Francis was elected during the tumultuous time for the church following the surprise resignation of Benedict XVI.
While the Church has continued to face challenges in a rapidly changing world, Francis has been a steady hand at the helm with his efforts to blend theology with pragmatism.
