Francis (pope)
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| Francis (pope) | |
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| Name | Francis |
| Birth name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Birth date | 17 December 1936 |
| Birth place | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Papacy begin | 13 March 2013 |
| Predecessor | Pope Benedict XVI |
| Successor | Incumbent |
| Ordination | 13 December 1969 |
| Consecration | 27 June 1992 |
| Cardinal | 21 February 2001 |
| Motto | Miserando atque eligendo |
Francis (pope) is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City since 13 March 2013. He is the first pontiff from Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first member of the Society of Jesus to be elected pope. His papacy has been marked by reforms of Roman Curia structures, emphasis on pastoral outreach, and active engagement in global issues such as climate change, migration, and economic inequality.
Early life and education
Born in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents from Piedmont and Liguria, he grew up in the Balvanera and Flores neighborhoods. He attended the Escuela Técnica and worked as a chemical technician before entering the Society of Jesus novitiate in 1958. His formation included studies at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, the Philosophy Faculty in Santiago del Estero, and theology at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina. He undertook further pastoral and spiritual training in the Jujuy region and completed a degree in chemistry-related technical studies prior to ordination.
Ecclesiastical career
Ordained in 1969 by Antonio Caggiano, he served as a Jesuit provincial in Argentina and held positions as rector, spiritual director, and professor. Named auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 by Pope John Paul II, he was later appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. Elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope John Paul II in 2001, he became notable for pastoral initiatives in urban parishes, outreach to the poor, and efforts to reform diocesan administration. His tenure intersected with national politics involving Argentina under presidents such as Carlos Menem, Néstor Kirchner, and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, prompting public engagements on social issues. He presided over the Argentine Episcopal Conference sessions and participated in synods of bishops at the Vatican.
Election as pope
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the 2013 papal conclave convened in the Sistine Chapel within the Apostolic Palace. Cardinal electors from countries including Italy, United States, Brazil, Germany, and Poland gathered under the guidance of the Dean of the College of Cardinals. The conclave elected him on the fifth ballot, marking a departure from recent papal profiles dominated by Europe and North America. He chose the name Francis in honor of Francis of Assisi, signaling priorities in poverty alleviation and ecological stewardship.
Papacy: policies and initiatives
His pontificate initiated structural reforms such as the reorganization of the Roman Curia through the formation of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development and reforms of the Vatican Bank (Instituto per le Opere di Religione). He convened synods on the family and on youth, promulgated the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, and issued the encyclical Laudato si' addressing climate change and care for creation. He advanced liturgical and pastoral emphasis on mercy, culminating in the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. He prioritized clerical accountability with measures addressing sexual abuse, convening commissions and signing motu proprios to alter procedures in canon law and discipline. He also promoted interreligious dialogue with leaders from Islam, Judaism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Buddhism.
International diplomacy and relations
As head of state of the Vatican City State and leader of the Holy See, he engaged in diplomacy with nations across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. He facilitated diplomatic breakthroughs including improved relations between Cuba and the United States and supported the signing of a provisional agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China on the appointment of bishops. He met with heads of state such as Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel, Ebrahim Raisi, and Justin Trudeau, and participated in international forums including the United Nations climate conferences and events addressing refugee crises. He received state visits and conducted apostolic journeys to countries like Brazil, United States, Philippines, Iraq, and South Korea.
Reception, controversies, and criticism
His papacy has drawn acclaim from figures in civil society, academia, and international organizations for focus on social justice and environmental stewardship, while also provoking criticism from conservative elements within the Church and secular commentators. Debates have arisen over his comments on same-sex unions, divorce, communion for remarried Catholics, and liturgical changes, eliciting responses from cardinals such as Cardinal Raymond Burke and Cardinal Robert Sarah. Financial scandals and reforms at the Vatican Bank provoked scrutiny from international media and watchdogs, and his handling of clerical sexual abuse cases has been both praised for initiatives and criticized for perceived delays. Tensions with governments, including disputes with Argentina and exchanges with Poland and Hungary, have punctuated his international engagements.
Health and later activities
Throughout his papacy he has faced health challenges including episodes of respiratory illness, a pneumonia hospitalization, and surgeries such as prostate surgery earlier in life and later respiratory procedures. He underwent treatment for a lung condition and has used a wheelchair for some public appearances while continuing to preside at liturgies and diplomatic audiences. In later years he has moderated travel, delegated duties to cardinals and dicasteries, and maintained visibility through documents, encyclicals, and selected apostolic journeys. His ongoing activities include continued engagement with synods, pastoral reforms, and participation in ecumenical and interfaith initiatives.
Category:Popes Category:Argentine clergy