Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 2013 until his death on April 21, 2025
. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi
. Before becoming pope, Bergoglio was ordained a priest in 1969, served as Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina, became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and was made a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II
. He was elected pope following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013
. Pope Francis was known for his humility, focus on mercy, concern for the poor and marginalized, interreligious dialogue, and environmental advocacy. He adopted a simpler, less formal style of papacy, living in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the traditional papal apartments
. His papacy was marked by efforts toward inclusivity, reform, and a more compassionate Catholic Church, though he maintained traditional doctrines on some issues
. He died at age 88 in April 2025 after a period of declining health
