Pope Francis

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio took the papal name Francis, after St. Francis of

Assisi, and was elected as the new pope of the Catholic Church. It was on March 13,

2013 that white smoke rose from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at the

Vatican and Pope Francis was elected the two hundred and sixty-sixth pope. He is a

pope of many firsts. The first Jesuit pope, first pope from the Americas, and first non-

European pope in more than a millennium. He is known for being humble, willing to help

the poor, and committed to open communication between people of different

backgrounds and religious affiliations. Pope Francis’ genuine concern for those less

fortunate members of society is a huge part of why I believe as pope he will bring about

positive change. Pope Francis can give Catholics many strengths to draw on.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires,

Argentina to Italian parents. Before his religious training he earned a master’s degree in

chemistry at the University of Buenos Aires. He then went on to study at the seminary

Immaculada Conception n Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires. Bergoglio entered the Society of

Jesus in 1958 and officially became a Jesuit on March 12, 1960. For three years he

taught literature and psychology at the high school level. Bergoglio studied theology at

the Colegio of San Jose and was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969 by

Archbishop Ramon Jose Castellano. Having reached his goal of becoming a priest,

Begoglio’s next goal was to become a professor of theology. After he did the final state

of Jesuit formation he went to teach theology at San Miguel, a Jesuit seminary. Father

Bergoglio made his perpetual vows in the Society in 1973 and was elected provincial for

Argentina. It was in Germany where he finished his doctoral thesis. Bergoglio is fluent in

German, Italian, and is native Spanish. Pope John Paul II