Pope Francis
Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 13 March 2013 until his death in 2025.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, served as head of the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death in 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Americas.
What it is
Pope Francis was the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. He was elected on 13 March 2013 and served until his death on 21 April 2025. His birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, and he was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 17 December 1936.
Why it matters
Francis was widely known for his emphasis on humility, social justice, and concern for migrants and the environment. He was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope, marking a significant shift in the church's leadership. His teachings on climate, poverty, and interfaith dialogue were reported globally, including in Canada.
Key details
He died at age 88 on 21 April 2025. His papacy lasted just over 12 years. He was the first pope born outside Europe in more than a millennium. His public priorities included the poor, migrants, ecological issues, and COVID-19 vaccination.
In short
- Pope Francis was pope from 2013 to 2025.
- He was the first Jesuit pope and first from the Americas.
- He focused on humility, social justice, migrants, and the environment.
- He died at age 88 on 21 April 2025.
Canadian Catholic readers may know Pope Francis for his global leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, including statements on social justice, migration, climate, and church reform that were widely reported in Canada.
Quick questions
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Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_FrancisSupports: Birth name, birth/death dates, papacy dates, and historical firsts.
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops — https://www.usccb.org/popes/pope-francisSupports: Election date, first pope from the Americas, and name choice.
- National Archives and Records Administration — https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/pope-francis-memoriamSupports: Death date, age at death, birthplace, and papacy start date.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-I-popeSupports: Biography, birthplace, election in 2013, and significance as first pope from the Western Hemisphere and Jesuit order.
- NPR — https://www.npr.org/2025/04/21/1013050313/pope-francis-deadSupports: Public priorities including migrants, LGBTQ-related remarks, and social concerns.
- Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/religious-figures/pope-francisSupports: Papacy duration, advocacy themes, and death penalty and LGBTQ-related positions.