Pope Francis (1936-2025): A Life of Humility and Reform

Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis on March 13, 2013, making history as the first Latin American pontiff and first Jesuit pope. Born in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrants, he led the Catholic Church for 12 transformative years until his death on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at age 88.
Francis championed the marginalized, advocated for environmental protection through his encyclical “Laudato Si’,” and reformed Vatican finances. He eschewed papal luxuries, choosing to live in modest quarters while promoting mercy, dialogue, and inclusivity. Despite conservative resistance, he modernized church governance and fostered interfaith relations, leaving a legacy of humble service and progressive vision for 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.