Fast Facts
Early years
- born on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires.
- studied and holds a degree as a chemical technician
- chose the priesthood and entered the seminary of Villa Devoto.
- 11 March 1958: moved to the novitiate of the Company of Jesus where he finished studies in the humanities in Chile.
- 1963: upon returning to Buenos Aires, obtained a degree in philosophy at the St. Joseph major seminary of San Miguel.
- Between 1964 and 1965: taught literature and psychology at the Immacolata College in Santa Fe.
- In 1966: taught the same subjects at the University of El Salvador, in Buenos Aires.
- From 1967 to 1970: studied theology at the St. Joseph major seminary of San Miguel where he obtained a degree.
- On 13 December 1969: ordained a priest.
- From 1970 to 1971: completed the third probation at Alcala de Henares, Spain, and
- On 22 April 1973: pronounced his perpetual vows.
As A Religious
- novice master at Villa Varilari in San Miguel from 1972 to 1973, where he also taught theology.
- On 31 July 1973: elected as Provincial for Argentina, a role he served as for six years.
- From 1980 to 1986: rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel as well as pastor of the Patriarca San Jose parish in the Diocese of San Miguel.
- March of 1986: went to Germany to finish his doctoral thesis.
- The superiors then sent him to the University of El Salvador and then to Cordoba where he served as a confessor and spiritual director.
As A Bishop
- On 20 May 1992, John Paul II appointed him titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires.
- Received the episcopal consecration in the Cathedral of Buenos Aires from Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, Apostolic Nunzio Ubaldo Calabresi, and Bishop Emilio Ognenovich. of Mercedes-Lujan on 27 June of that year.
- On 3 June 1997: appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires and succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino on 28 February 1998.
- Adjunct Relator General of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, October 2001.
- Served as President of the Bishops’ Conference of Argentina from 8 November 2005 until 8 November 2011.
As A Cardinal
- created and proclaimed Cardinal by Blessed John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Title of S. Roberto Bellarmino (St. Robert Bellarmine).
- a member of:
- The Congregations for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments; for the Clergy; and for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life;
- the Pontifical Council for the Family; and
- the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
- Also the Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite,
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, on 13 March 2013 the papal conclave elected Bergoglio, who chose the papal name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
- the first Jesuit pope;
- the first pope from the Americas, and
- the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere.
As A Person
- Throughout his life, both as an individual and a religious leader, he has been known for his humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to dialogue as a way to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths.
- Since his election to the papacy, he has displayed a simpler and less formal approach to the office, including a decision to reside in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the papal residence used by his predecessors since 1903.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis
http://www.news.va/en/news/biography-who-is-jorge-mario-bergoglio