Shillong, April 21: ‘Pope Francis’, real name ‘Jorge Mario Bergoglio’ born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, became a transformative figure in the Roman Catholic Church when he was elected pope in March 2013.
He made history as the first pope from the Western Hemisphere, the first South American, and the first Jesuit to lead the Church. Known for his humility and progressive tone, Francis brought a wave of reform and compassion-driven leadership during his papacy.
Raised by Italian immigrant parents, Bergoglio initially trained to be a chemical technician before entering the Jesuit order in 1958. He faced serious health challenges in his early twenties, including a severe bout of pneumonia that resulted in the removal of part of one lung.
He studied philosophy and holds a master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Buenos Aires. He taught literature, psychology, philosophy, and theology before becoming the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
As a student, he worked as a bouncer in a Buenos Aires bar and had a stint as a janitor.
Despite this, he pursued theological studies, was ordained a priest in 1969, and took his final Jesuit vows in 1973. He rose quickly within the Church, serving as the head of Argentina’s Jesuits during the country’s tumultuous Dirty War, a period that would later spark controversy over his alleged role in the disappearance of two Jesuit priests. Though accused by some of complicity, others defended his covert efforts to protect and release the detained clergymen.
Bergoglio’s pastoral style emphasised simplicity and social justice. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he rejected the luxurious trappings of office—living in a modest apartment and traveling by public transport. He became widely respected for advocating for the poor.
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, Bergoglio was elected pope on the fifth ballot of the conclave.
He chose the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi and St. Francis Xavier, symbolising humility, service and missionary zeal.
From the outset, Pope Francis urged a return to core spiritual values, calling on the Church to avoid becoming a “pitiful NGO” and focus instead on compassion, inclusion and renewal. His choice to forgo traditional papal regalia and his decision to appoint a council of eight cardinals for broader church consultation marked a shift toward more transparent and collaborative leadership.
Pope Francis’s landmark achievements include his 2015 encyclical Laudato si’, which called for urgent action on climate change and emphasized environmental stewardship as a moral responsibility. He also made significant efforts to bridge divides—welcoming dialogue with atheists, agnostics, and non-Christians and championing the rights of the marginalised.
Though some of his actions drew criticism from traditionalists, Francis remained steadfast in his mission to make the Church more inclusive and responsive to the challenges of the modern world. His papacy has left a lasting legacy of humility, reform and a renewed focus on the Gospel’s message of love and service to humanity.
Pope Francis earned the nickname “the pope of the slums” for his deep commitment to the poor and marginalized. Throughout his ministry — both in Argentina and as pope — he regularly visited impoverished communities, advocating for social justice and the Church’s role as a refuge for the overlooked and oppressed.
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