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Pope Francis

What is pope francis?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Full name Jorge Mario Bergoglio[1]
Birth Buenos Aires, Argentina[1]
Birth date 17 December 1936[1]
Office 266th Pope of the Catholic Church[1]
Pontificate 13 March 2013 – 21 April 2025[1]
Death 21 April 2025[1]

Pope Francis was the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 13 March 2013 until his death on 21 April 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Americas.

Context

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected as the 266th pope on 13 March 2013 [1]. He was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas [5][3]. Before his election, he served as cardinal and archbishop of Buenos Aires [2]. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi [4]. His pontificate lasted until his death on 21 April 2025 [1]. He was a successor to Pope Benedict and part of the long line of popes in the Catholic Church.

Documented claims

  • Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope. [5]
  • He was the first pope from the Americas. [3]
  • He took the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. [4]

Related

Pope Pius XiiPope Francis is a pope, and Pope Pius XII is another pope, so readers interested in popes may want to know about other popes.

Questions and answers

When was Pope Francis elected?

He was elected on 13 March 2013 [1].

What was Pope Francis's birth name?

His birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio [1].

When did Pope Francis die?

He died on 21 April 2025 [1].

Sources

  1. Pope Francis: A Life in Pictures — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Biography of the Holy Father Francis — vatican.va (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Pope Francis | Biography - Catholic News Agency — catholicnewsagency.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Pope Francis: Biography, Catholic Church Leader, Jorge ... — biography.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. Pope Francis — usccb.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in People