Pope Francis

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Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936) is the current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, a position he has held since 13 March 2013. He is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. He is also the first pope from outside Europe since Gregory III, who was Pope in the 8th century.

Early Life and Education

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrants. He was one of five children. He attended the technical secondary school Escuela Técnica Industrial N° 27 Hipólito Yrigoyen, where he graduated with a diploma in chemistry. He later decided to join the Society of Jesus and entered the novitiate in 1958.

Jesuit Priesthood

Bergoglio was ordained a Catholic priest on 13 December 1969, during the closing days of the Second Vatican Council. He served as the provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina from 1973 to 1979. He became known for his humility, doctrinal conservatism, and a commitment to social justice.

Archbishop of Buenos Aires

In 1998, Bergoglio was appointed the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He was created a Cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. As Archbishop, he took a strong stance on various social issues, including poverty and economic inequality.

Papacy

Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on 13 March 2013, taking the papal name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. His papacy has been marked by a focus on humility, mercy, and a commitment to addressing issues such as climate change, poverty, and interfaith dialogue.

Key Initiatives and Stances

• Climate Change: Pope Francis has been a vocal advocate for action on climate change, most notably through his encyclical Laudato si'.
• Social Justice: He has consistently emphasized the need for the Church to be a "poor Church for the poor."
• Interfaith Dialogue: Pope Francis has made significant efforts to improve relations with other religions, including Islam, Judaism, and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Controversies

Pope Francis has faced criticism from various quarters, including traditionalists within the Church who view some of his stances as too progressive. His handling of the Catholic Church sexual abuse cases has also been a point of contention.

Related Pages

• Roman Catholic Church
• Pope
• Second Vatican Council
• Society of Jesus
• Saint Francis of Assisi
• Laudato si'
• Catholic Church sexual abuse cases