Who is the late Pope Francis?
Before being elected to serve as Pope, he previously served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and was a cardinal in the Vatican
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
He took over as the Pope in March 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI becoming the first Jesuit pope and the First from South America.
Before being elected to serve as Pope, he previously served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and was a cardinal in the Vatican.
He was elected on the fifth ballot on the second day of the Papal Conclave, after which he took the name Francis.
Francis held his papal inauguration a week after his election at St. Peter’s Square.
He celebrated Mass in the presence of political and religious leaders from around the world.
In his homily, Francis focused on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the liturgical day on which the Mass was celebrated.
During his first appearance as pontiff on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, he wore a white cassock, not the red, ermine-trimmed mozzetta used by previous popes.
He also wore the same iron pectoral cross that he had worn as archbishop of Buenos Aires, rather than the gold one worn by his predecessors.
Jorge chose his Papal name as Pope Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who is among the loved saints in Catholic History.
St. Francis was known for his commitment to humility and compassion for the poor and the marginalized, and by choosing to honor him, Pope Francis signified his desire to lead in humility and prioritize the care for the Poor.
St Francis of Assisi also famously embraced a life of simplicity and service, and by choosing this name, Pope Francis signaled a break from the traditional papal names often associated with power and authority, instead focusing on themes of peace, humility, and social justice.
Throughout his life, Pope Francis was known for his simplicity, choosing to live in a modest guesthouse rather than the papal palace, and for his focus on issues such as poverty, inequality, and the environment.
One of his key messages was the importance of mercy and dialogue, both within the church and with people of different faiths.
During his reign, he called for a more inclusive church, one that reaches out to the marginalized and promotes peace and reconciliation.
