Pope Francis served as the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church. His birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was elected pope on March 13, 2013. As the first Latin American and the first Jesuit pope in Catholic history, Francis died in April 2025 at the age of 88.
Pope Francis - Anadolu Agency
Early Life and Education
Pope Francis was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio. His family were Catholic immigrants who had relocated from Italy to Argentina in 1929. His father, Mario José Bergoglio, worked as an accountant for the railways, while his mother, Regina María Sivori, was a homemaker. Bergoglio was the eldest of five siblings.
During his youth, he received technical training and earned a diploma as a chemical technician. In 1957, he suffered a severe case of pneumonia, which led to the removal of the upper lobe of his right lung. On March 11, 1958, he enrolled in a seminary in Villa Devoto and joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) later that same year. He took his initial vows on March 12, 1960, and became a full member of the Jesuit order. He professed his final vows on April 22, 1973.
From 1961 to 1963, Bergoglio studied philosophy at the San Miguel Seminary in Buenos Aires. Between 1967 and 1970, he completed his theological studies at the same institution. In 1986, he traveled to Germany for doctoral-level theological research, but did not complete his dissertation.
Between 1964 and 1965, he taught literature and psychology at La Inmaculada College in Santa Fe. In 1966, he continued his teaching career at Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires. On December 13, 1969, he was ordained as a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano of Buenos Aires. He subsequently held roles as spiritual director, lecturer, and administrator in various Jesuit institutions. In 1973, he was appointed rector of the philosophy and theology faculties at Colegio Máximo in San Miguel.
Jesuit Leadership and the Argentina Period
On July 31, 1973, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was appointed Provincial Superior of the Jesuit Province of Argentina and Uruguay. During his six-year tenure, he oversaw the administrative structure of the order, supervised the training of seminarians, and managed the internal organization of the Jesuit community. He also took responsibility for the implementation of theological formation programs.
His leadership period coincided with the onset of military rule in Argentina, which began in 1976 when the armed forces took control of the government. During this time, many religious figures and civil society members were detained, disappeared, or subjected to various human rights violations. Some members of the Jesuit community were also affected by this environment. Bergoglio did not publicly adopt a political stance during this period; his actions in response to certain events remained limited to private efforts and non-public interventions.
Following his term as provincial superior, Bergoglio was assigned to the city of Córdoba in the 1980s. There, he served as a spiritual advisor, confessor, and personal retreat guide. This period is documented as a time of reduced public presence, during which he led a more introspective life. His assignment in Córdoba did not involve administrative or academic titles within the order.
In 1986, he traveled to Germany to conduct theological research at the doctoral level. Although he began preparing a dissertation, he returned to Argentina before completing the work.
Episcopal and Cardinal Appointments
On May 20, 1992, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires. He was consecrated on June 27 of the same year in Buenos Aires Cathedral. During his time as auxiliary bishop, he was responsible for pastoral activities in churches across the city center, as well as for coordinating relationships with educational and social service institutions. His areas of focus included the spiritual formation of youth, church programs aimed at reducing social inequality, and the organization of religious events at the neighborhood level.
On February 28, 1998, Bergoglio was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Following his appointment, he took on active roles within the Argentine Episcopal Conference. He worked to strengthen the institutional structures of church communities both in central Buenos Aires and in outlying neighborhoods. He also led initiatives to foster connections among Catholic groups from different social backgrounds in the metropolitan area. His efforts included enhancing relations with religious educational institutions and restructuring the internal administrative processes of the archdiocese.
Pope John Paul II elevated Bergoglio to the rank of cardinal on February 21, 2001. As a cardinal, he served on several Vatican congregations and councils. Although he resided outside of Rome, he regularly participated in committees affiliated with the Roman Curia. His responsibilities included roles in the Pontifical Council for the Family, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life. He also held active positions in the Latin American Episcopal Conference (CELAM). During his time as cardinal, he prioritized issues related to social inequality, poverty, and justice.
In the 2005 conclave held after the death of Pope John Paul II, Bergoglio emerged as a prominent candidate for the papacy. He received the second-highest number of votes in the second ballot. Alongside Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger—who would ultimately be elected pope—Bergoglio remained a leading figure through the final rounds of voting. After the conclave, he resumed his duties as Cardinal of Buenos Aires.
Election and Early Pontificate (2013)
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013, a conclave was convened in Rome on March 12 with the participation of 115 cardinals. On March 13, 2013, during the fourth round of voting, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope. His election marked several firsts in the history of the Catholic Church: he became the first Latin American pope, the first pope born in Argentina, and the first member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) to assume the papacy.
Upon his election, Bergoglio chose the papal name “Francis,” in reference to Saint Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century figure known for his commitment to simplicity, peace, and reverence for nature. The name “Francis” had never been used by a previous pope.
In his first address to the public from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis began with the greeting “Buonasera.” His formal inauguration Mass took place on March 19, 2013, coinciding with the Feast of Saint Joseph. The ceremony included the participation of representatives from various religious traditions, heads of state, and diplomatic delegations from around the world.
After assuming office, Pope Francis initiated several reforms within the Roman Curia, the central administrative body of the Vatican. He established a Council of Cardinals (C9) composed of thirteen members to advise him on governance and to propose changes to improve transparency and financial oversight. Within the first months of his papacy, numerous changes were made to the leadership of key congregations and commissions.
Francis’s first international trip as pope took place in July 2013, when he traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for World Youth Day. During this visit, he met with communities living in favelas, and engaged directly with young people, the unemployed, and socially marginalized groups. In addition to liturgical celebrations, his itinerary included public gatherings focused on social issues and solidarity.
Reforms and Policy Changes
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis implemented comprehensive structural reforms within the Roman Curia, the central administrative body of the Vatican. Acting on the recommendations of the Council of Cardinals (C9), he redefined the mandates of various congregations and councils, emphasizing regional diversity and service-based leadership in appointments. Measures to enhance transparency and financial oversight at the Institute for the Works of Religion—commonly known as the Vatican Bank—were introduced. Anti-corruption protocols were reinforced, and new restrictions were placed on high-ranking officials regarding the acceptance of gifts and the use of public resources.
Pope Francis also led several initiatives to strengthen the role of women within the Catholic Church. He authorized women to officially serve in ministries such as lector and acolyte and granted them voting rights in high-level Vatican decision-making bodies for the first time. In 2021, a significant regulation was adopted allowing women to vote in synodal assemblies. Female experts were appointed to administrative positions within Vatican secretariats and advisory councils.
Francis made a doctrinal change to the Church’s teaching on capital punishment, declaring the death penalty “inadmissible” in all circumstances. This change was officially incorporated into the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Additionally, he asserted that not only the use but also the possession of nuclear weapons was “morally unacceptable.”
In 2015, Pope Francis issued Laudato Si’, an encyclical focused on the global environmental crisis. In the document, he emphasized collective responsibility for ecological degradation and criticized the systemic exploitation of nature. The encyclical described the global economic system as structurally flawed and identified environmental destruction as a direct consequence of that system. He also drew attention to the structural causes of poverty and called on political and economic leaders to prioritize policies that promote social justice.
Personal Life and Autobiography
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was raised in a devout Catholic household during his childhood and adolescence. His grandmother Rosa played a significant role in his early spiritual formation through religious education. As a youth, he spent weekends attending cathedral Masses with his family and developed interests in opera and football. He was a lifelong supporter of the San Lorenzo football club and expressed his affiliation with the team on various occasions during his papacy.
Pope Francis's autobiographical reflections are compiled in a book titled Hope, published in 2024. The work includes his personal accounts of early life experiences and spiritual development. It also features his observations on Argentina’s social and political landscape, his experiences within the Church, and his thoughts on religious leadership. The book focuses on his childhood memories, the papal journey, and his inner perspective during periods of crisis.
During his time as pope, Francis made lifestyle choices that departed from traditional papal customs. Rather than residing in the Apostolic Palace, he chose to live in the Vatican guesthouse, Casa Santa Marta. He opted for simple attire and orthopedic shoes in daily life and generally used small vehicles for transportation within the Vatican.
Pope Francis experienced several health challenges during his pontificate. In 2021, he underwent colon surgery; in 2023, he had an abdominal hernia repair and adhesion removal procedure. Beginning in 2022, due to persistent knee pain, he started using a wheelchair or cane for mobility. In early 2025, he was hospitalized with pneumonia, diagnosed with bilateral lung infection, and received treatment for 38 days.
Death
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025. Following his death, official procedures were initiated at the Vatican, including the planning of burial and funeral arrangements, along with the issuing of international mourning announcements. His final public statement was the Easter message, released one day before his passing, which is recorded as the last official communication made during his lifetime.
Commemoration of Pope Francis in Bolivia - Anadolu Agency
Cause of Death and Medical Process
Pope Francis died at 7:35 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, within Vatican City. According to the death certificate issued by the Vatican, the cause of death was a stroke followed by heart failure. The document also noted that he had entered a coma before death and that cardiac arrest had become irreversible.
He had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on February 14, 2025, due to a respiratory tract infection. Medical examinations revealed bilateral pneumonia. He underwent five weeks of hospital treatment and was discharged on March 23, 2025.
After his discharge, Pope Francis continued his recovery at his Vatican residence. On April 20, 2025, he made a brief appearance during a public event in St. Peter’s Square. During this final appearance, he physically engaged with the crowd, but all speeches were delivered by his aides.
Later that evening, on April 21 at 8:00 p.m., his death was officially certified in the chapel at Casa Santa Marta. The death certificate was read aloud, and his body was placed in a coffin under the supervision of Cardinal Kevin Farrell. After the public announcement of his death, both his second-floor residence in Casa Santa Marta and the traditional papal apartment on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace were sealed.
Vatican Press Office Director Matteo Bruni announced to the media that the Pope’s body would be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The basilica would be opened to the public to allow the faithful to pray before the Pope’s remains.
International Reactions and Mourning Declarations
Following the death of Pope Francis, numerous heads of state, religious leaders, and international organizations issued messages of condolence. Argentine President Javier Milei stated that past differences of opinion had lost their significance and expressed his honor at having recognized the Pope’s wisdom. The Argentine government declared seven days of national mourning in his memory. Similarly, Brazil also announced a seven-day mourning period.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remarked that she had a warm personal relationship with Pope Francis and had received both advice and spiritual support from him. She noted that he continued to be a teacher in all circumstances. King Charles III of the United Kingdom issued a statement highlighting the Pope’s religious leadership and his efforts to promote interfaith unity. He emphasized that Pope Francis stood for common values embraced by all people of goodwill, regardless of faith.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared a message on social media expressing his sorrow over the death of Pope Francis. He stated: “Pope Francis, a highly respected statesman, was also a spiritual leader who valued dialogue among different faith communities. He took initiatives in response to humanitarian tragedies, especially regarding the situation in Palestine and the genocide in Gaza. On behalf of myself and the Turkish nation, I extend my condolences to his family, the Vatican State, and the Catholic world.”
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would attend the funeral and posted a message of condolence on social media. Former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama also released statements. Biden described the Pope as one of the most influential leaders of his time, while Obama said he had inspired people to become better individuals.
Outside the Vatican, commemorative services were held in churches around the world. Masses and prayer gatherings took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires. In Rome, church bells rang out simultaneously at noon on April 21. Crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square throughout the day to pray, culminating in a communal prayer service led by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti in the evening.
Pope Francis at Easter mass in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, April 20, 2025, a day before his death - AP News
Final Messages and Appeals for Peace
On Sunday, April 20, 2025—one day before his death—Pope Francis issued his final Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”) message during the Easter Mass held in St. Peter’s Square. At the conclusion of the liturgy, the Pope was brought to the basilica balcony in a wheelchair. He did not speak directly; instead, the message was read aloud by an aide. Pope Francis greeted the gathered faithful and extended Easter blessings to believers worldwide. This statement was his final official public communication made during his lifetime.
In the message, Pope Francis drew attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire. He described the situation as a “dramatic and degrading humanitarian reality marked by death and destruction” and urged the warring parties to release hostages and ensure access to basic necessities for the population. The message also addressed the war in Ukraine, expressing hope for a “just and lasting peace” and calling on all sides to work toward this goal. Prayers were also offered for Christian communities in Syria and Lebanon, along with appeals for stability and active civic engagement in those regions.
Pope Francis emphasized that peace is not possible where freedom of religion, thought, and expression is absent, and where differing views are not respected. He underscored disarmament as a fundamental condition for peace, cautioning that the need for security among nations should not escalate into a global arms race. The message also touched on migration, stressing the importance of building trust among individuals from different faiths and ways of life.
The peace appeals delivered in the message were met with applause from the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square. After the message was read, Pope Francis made a brief circuit in the popemobile, greeting those in attendance. Due to illness, it was his first such public appearance in nearly two months. This moment was recorded as his final public image.
