1936-2025: The life of Pope Francis in 17 facts

The Head of the Vatican was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He became the first Pope to originate from the American continent.

He is known by the name Francis, of course, but his baptismal name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He took the name “Francis” in memory of Francis of Assisi.

He is part of a family of five children, all known by the name Bergoglio.

On December 13, 1969, he became a member of the clergy through priestly ordination, while he received his solemn profession on April 22, 1973. He also became a cardinal of the Catholic Church in February 2001.

On March 13, 2013, at the age of 76, he was appointed as Pope, after his predecessor decided to resign, that is, Pope Benedict XVI.

Although he is from Argentina, he has strong roots in Italy, due to the Italian origins of his father, Mario José Bergoglio.

Francis had interests beyond those related to religion. A great music lover, especially of Beethoven and Mozart, as well as cinema, reading, dance… and European football!

Due to his multiple human qualities, including being approachable and down-to-earth, Francis was called ‘People’s pope’ having positively changed the image of the Catholic Church.

At 20 years old, he underwent surgery to remove a lung, due to a respiratory infection contracted during his teenage years, at the time when he was a heavy smoker.

Honoring his homeland, he is a great football fan, particularly of Lionel Messi, who is also Argentinian by birth.

Apparently, in 2005, he refused to become Pope, in place of John Paul II, despite receiving around forty votes out of the 77 available, thus allowing Benedict XVI to take the throne..

Proving a life of simplicity, he declined a luxurious house in Buenos Aires, preferring to reside in a small apartment near the Church.

By becoming a religious, he committed himself to the path of poverty, chastity, and obedience, characterizing the term Jesuit, that is, of the Catholic congregation.

During a visit to Iraq in 2021, the Pope revealed that he had faced two attacks, one of which was by a suicide bomber, but local police intervened in time.

In 2023, the Holy Father confirmed that he will be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. This has caused a bit of a commotion, considering that he will not be buried in the Vatican, as his predecessors did.

Then, in early 2025, health problems caught up with Pope Francis, who was eventually hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital.

With beautiful courage and faith, Francis returned to his post and held firm until Easter weekend, even receiving visits from several dignitaries shortly before his death. Then, the Vatican confirmed the pontiff’s death on the morning of Holy Monday, the day after Easter Sunday 2025. Pope Francis was 88 years old.