Pope Francis was elected to the papacy on March 13, 2013, and continued as Supreme Pontiff until his death on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.
A son of Italian immigrants, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, making him the first Pope from Latin America, outside Europe in almost 1,300 years.
Before his Priesthood, Pope Francis went to school in Buenos Aires, with a focus on Chemistry.
At 21 years old, Bergoglio suffered life-threatening pneumonia and three cysts that resulted in a medical procedure removing a part of his lung.
Shortly after Bergoglio’s near-death experience, he decided to join the Society of Jesus in 1958.
Ten years later, Bergoglio was ordained a priest and continued his practice in the church until becoming a Cardinal by John Paul II on February 21, 2001.
Cardinal Bergoglio was a participant in the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.
After the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Bergoglio was elected as Supreme Pontiff.
Choosing the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis lived up to his title, known for his humility and climate change efforts.
Pope Francis refused the traditional papal mozzetta cape upon the election and decided to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than the usual papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace.
During his papacy Pope Francis was most noted for his emphasis on migrants, refugees, climate change and church reform for women and the LGBTQ communities.
Pope Francis was last seen alive in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Now Pope Francis lies in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, upon his request.
Pope Francis is the first pope since Pope Clement IX in 1699 to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore instead of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin-American pope, and the first to grant women voting rights within the Synod of Bishops.
Pope Francis is known as the People’s Pope; his impact on the church and world peace is immeasurable.
His legacy will forever live on and be an example for future Popes.
