Pope Francis recently passed away on April 21st, 2025, in the Saint Martha House in Vatican City, ending his legacy as the 266th Pope. The beloved Pope was 88 years old and had been suffering from severe pneumonia. But who was he really?
The Pope, known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born on December 17th in Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his Italian heritage and profound faith helped shape him. He was the eldest of five, with immigrant parents named Regina Maria Sivori and Mario Jose Bergoglio, who came from Italy.
His time as a religious figure to the public started on May 20, 1992, when he was named auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, where he would care for the people in large areas. Only six years later, in 1998, he succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino as archbishop of the Argentine capital. As the archbishop, Jorge dedicated his time supporting the poor and engaging with people as a simple man. On February 21, 2001, he was elevated to cardinal by St. John Paul II, where he continued his work.
On December 13, 1969, he was ordained a priest with the Jesuit religious order. This was the last time he would be seen as Jorge Mario Bergoglio. From then on, he would be known as Pope Francis.
On March 13, 2013, he was elected 266th pope, the first from the Americas and the first Jesuit to be appointed to this position. He would be the first to take the name of Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi.
As Pope, Francis worked to promote unity and embrace global diversity. In March 2013, Francis called for spiritual renewal within the church, a process where one strengthens their relationship with God and transforms one’s heart and mind, which leads to a deeper understanding of religious practices.
Pope Francis impacted the world like no other Pope. He began by shifting the Church’s focus. Traditional debates at the Church, like theological differences, turned into debates on issues of social justice and environmental concerns. He’s also a huge advocate for climate change and encourages the people to take action.
Because of his admirable qualities, his love for the people, and his determination to bring peace to the world, Pope Francis will be remembered as a courageous and admirable leader.
