Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the Pope and head of the Catholic Church. He holds the title of bishop of Rome and is the sovereign of the Vatican City State
Pope Francis Age
As of now, Pope Francis is 87 years old. He was born on December 17, 1936, and celebrated his 87th birthday on December 17, 2023
Pope Francis Early Life and Career
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the eldest of five children in a family of Italian immigrants. His father, Mario, was an accountant employed by the railways, and his mother, Regina, was a committed wife dedicated to raising their children.
His early education was at a public school in Buenos Aires. At the age of 12, he attended the Salesian College. After graduating from a technical secondary school as a chemical technician, he felt a vocational call to the priesthood. Despite this calling, he initially pursued a career in the chemical industry to respect his mother’s wishes.
In 1958, at the age of 21, Bergoglio decided to enter the seminary. He joined the Society of Jesus and started his novitiate in the Jesuit community of Villa Barilari in San Miguel. He studied humanities in Chile and returned to Argentina to study philosophy at the Colegio of San José in San Miguel, where he would later teach literature and psychology.
In 1969, Bergoglio was ordained a priest, and in 1973, he became the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Argentina, a position he held for six years. His tenure as Provincial was during a time of great political upheaval in Argentina, marked by the military dictatorship.
Bergoglio continued his studies in theology and pursued a doctoral degree in Germany but did not complete it. Instead, he returned to Argentina to serve as a spiritual director and confessor in Córdoba.
His early life was marked by a deep commitment to education, social justice, and the Jesuit principles of service and humility, which have significantly influenced his papacy
Pope Francis Papacy
Elected as Pope Francis in 2013, he ushered in a new era of leadership for the Roman Catholic Church.
Notable achievements include:
Laudato si’: His papal encyclical addressing the climate crisis and advocating for environmental stewardship.
Efforts to promote unity between Catholics, non-Catholics, and non-Christians.
Historic apologies to survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
Pope Francis Distinctive Firsts
- First pope from the Western Hemisphere.
- First pope from South America.
- First pope from the Jesuit order.
Pope Francis has been known for his humility and commitment to reform within the church. His leadership has left a significant impact on the Catholic community worldwide.
Pope Francis Net Worth
Following Pope Benedict XVI’s departure in 2013, his retirement pension was reported to be about $3,300 a month.
Pope Francis, however, does not and has never received a salary.
He chooses to live a modest lifestyle, residing in a three-room dorm instead of lavish accommodations.
His approach emphasizes mindfulness in spending, whether personal or corporate
Pope Francis Books
- The Name of God is Mercy
- Laudato Si’: On the Care of Our Common Home
- Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel
- Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future
- Fratelli Tutti
- Lumen Fidei: The Light of Faith
- The Church of Mercy
- Amoris Laetitia: Apostolic Exhortation on the Family
- Gaudete et Exsultate
- On Heaven and Earth: Pope Francis on Faith, Family, and the Church in the Twenty-First Century.
Pope Francis Quotes
- “We are all missionary disciples.”
- “The world tells us to seek success, power, and money; God tells us to seek humility, service, and love.”
- “Dear young people, do not bury your talents; the gifts that God has given you! Do not be afraid to dream of great things!”
- “The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.”
- “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”
- “To change the world, we must be good to those who cannot repay us.”
- “Holiness doesn’t mean doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith.”
- “Let us learn to live with kindness, to love everyone, even when they do not love us.”
- “The perfect family doesn’t exist; it’s just us sinners. A healthy family life requires frequent use of three phrases: ‘May I? Thank you, and I’m sorry,’ and ‘never, never, never end the day without making peace.’”
- “All it takes is one good person to restore hope.”
Pope Francis Social Media Handle
Twitter- @Pontifex
Instagram- franciscus