Pope Francis's Biography

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first Pope from the Americas. Known for his humility, progressive stances, and focus on social justice, Pope Francis has significantly influenced both the Catholic Church and global conversations on poverty, climate change, and interfaith dialogue. Educated in Argentina and ordained as a Jesuit priest, he rose to prominence as Archbishop of Buenos Aires before being elected Pope in 2013. Francis is noted for his approachable personality and famous quotes such as 'Who am I to judge?' His papacy is marked by efforts to reform Church bureaucracy, advocate for the marginalized, and respond to global crises with compassion. Despite some controversies, especially regarding Church doctrine and abuse scandals, Pope Francis remains a beloved figure to millions. He enjoys reading, classical music, and soccer, and is recognized for embracing technology, as seen in his active Twitter presence. As the spiritual leader of more than a billion Catholics, Pope Francis continues to inspire change and dialogue around the world.