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Pope Francis Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth17 December 1936

Age88 Years

BirthplaceFlores, Buenos Aires, Argentina

ProfessionPope of the Roman Catholic Church

NationalityArgentine (with Vatican citizenship)

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyFather - Mario José Bergoglio; Mother - Regina María Sivori; Siblings - Oscar Adrián, Alberto, María Elena, Marta Regina

Pope Francis Biography

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, served as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. A Jesuit priest by formation, he became a|

Early life and background

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on 17 December 1936 in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up in a family that included his parents, Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sivori, and several siblings. His father was an Italian immigrant from Portacomaro in the Piedmont region of Italy. Bergoglio completed technical secondary education and earned a diploma in chemical technology before entering the Jesuit order in 1960.

Religious formation and early ministry

Bergoglio was ordained a Catholic priest on 13 December 1969. In the years that followed he combined pastoral work with teaching, offering courses in literature, philosophy, psychology and theology at a number of Argentine high schools. He served as provincial for the Jesuits in Argentina beginning in 1973, a leadership role in his order that preceded his later service in the episcopacy.

Rise in the hierarchy

On 20 May 1992 Bergoglio was appointed a bishop and auxiliary of Buenos Aires, and he was consecrated on 27 June 1992. He continued to rise through church ranks and in 2001 Pope John Paul II elevated him to the College of Cardinals. He led the Argentine Bishops' Conference as its president from 2005 until 2011.

Election as pope and significance

On 13 March 2013 Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and took the name Francis, in reference to St. Francis of Assisi. His election marked multiple firsts: he was the first pope from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, the first non-European pope in over a millennium, and the first member of the Society of Jesus to become pope.

Health and personal details

Bergoglio had a medical history that included the removal of his right lung in youth, leaving him with one functioning lung. He spoke several languages: Spanish, Latin and Italian fluently, and had understanding of German, French, Portuguese, English and Ukrainian. Personal interests included tango, football (he supported San Lorenzo Football Club), literature and music. He maintained residences in Vatican City, including the Casa Santa Marta.

Public profile

Pope Francis was known for addressing social and pastoral concerns from the papal office. He received international honors and orders from Vatican City and foreign states, and his awards include the International Charlemagne Prize (2016) and other orders and recognitions. TIME magazine named him Person of the Year in 2013. As a public figure he also drew criticism at times from conservative voices within and outside the church and was involved in public controversies reported by various outlets. In 2015 he received attention for his actions and statements in relation to church leadership in Chile; other episodes of disagreement with conservative critics were noted in subsequent years.

Later years and death

On 15 March 2024 an autobiography titled Life: My Story Through History was released, in which he addressed aspects of his role and stated he did not plan to resign, preferring the title "Bishop Emeritus of Rome" over "Pope Emeritus." Pope Francis died on 21 April 2025 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta at the age of 88. Reports stated the immediate cause of death was a severe bout of double pneumonia.

Latest updates

Following his death, tributes and reactions were reported worldwide, and his legacy as the first Jesuit pope and as a pontiff from the Americas continued to shape reflections on his papacy.
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Recent Work

Life: My Story Through History

Autobiography released 15 March 2024 in which the pope discussed his life and indicated he did not plan to resign.

2024
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Career Highlights

  1. Ordained a priest on 13 December 1969
  2. Served as Jesuit provincial of Argentina beginning in 1973
  3. Named bishop of Auca and auxiliary of Buenos Aires on 20 May 1992; consecrated 27 June 1992
  4. Elevated to cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II
  5. President of the Argentine Bishops' Conference, 2005–2011
  6. Elected the 266th pope on 13 March 2013; first Jesuit, first from the Americas and first non-European in centuries to become pope
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pope Francis born?

17 December 1936

What is Pope Francis known for?

Pope of the Roman Catholic Church

What is Pope Francis’s marital status?

Unmarried