Who Is Pope Francis?
Pope Francis has served as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church since March 2013. The first pope from the Americas, Francis took his papal title after Saint Francis of Assisi of Italy. Prior to his election as pope, he spent more than a decade as cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church of Argentina and archbishop of Buenos Aires. Francis was also president of the Bishops’ Conference of Argentina from 2005 to 2011. Named Person of the Year by Time magazine in 2013, Pope Francis’ tenure has been characterized by humility and outspoken support of the world’s poor and marginalized people. He has also advocated in areas of political diplomacy and for environmentalism.
Early Life and Education
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936. His parents, Mario and Regina, were Italian immigrants.
As a young man, Bergoglio underwent surgery to remove part of one of his lungs due to a serious infection. He graduated from a technical school as a chemical technician before beginning training at the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto. In March 1958, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus.
Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at Immaculate Conception College in the Argentinian province of Santa Fé in 1964 and 1965. The next year, he taught the same subjects at the Colegio del Salvatore in Buenos Aires. He studied theology and received a degree from the Colegio of San José from 1967 to 1970, and finished his doctoral thesis in theology in Freiburg, Germany, in 1986.
Spiritual and World Leadership
In September 2013, Pope Francis called for others to join him in praying for peace in Syria. The pontiff held a special vigil in Saint Peter’s Square on September 7, which was attended by an estimated 100,000 people. According to the Catholic News Service, Francis told the crowd: “When man thinks only of himself… [and] permits himself to be captivated by the idols of dominion and power…, [t]hen the door opens to violence, indifference, and conflict.”
The pope implored those involved in the conflict to find a peaceful solution. “Leave behind the self-interest that hardens your heart, overcome the indifference that makes your heart insensitive towards others, conquer your deadly reasoning, and open yourself to dialogue and reconciliation,” he said.
Progressive Stances
That fall, Pope Francis showed himself to be progressive on several scientific issues. He told the members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences that he supported the Big Bang theory and evolution. According to The Independent newspaper, Pope Francis said that “The Big Bang, which today we hold to be the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it.” He also said that evolution “is not inconsistent with the notion of creation.”
Health Issues
Pope Francis has been hospitalized for various health conditions in recent years. In 2023, he underwent hernia surgery in June and spent three days in the hospital that March for bronchitis.
In February 2025, the pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young adult, was rushed to the hospital for another bout of bronchitis, which quickly developed into a respiratory tract infection and pneumonia in both of his lungs. After experiencing an “asthma-like respiratory crisis,” he was given supplemental oxygen to aid his breathing. His blood tests revealed that he also had mild kidney disease. The Vatican said the leader of the Catholic Church was in critical but stable condition at the time.
Death
Francis died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced.
In a post on the social media platform X, the Vatican said the pontiff died in his residence.
