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December 17, marks the birthday anniversary of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the man who became Pope Francis and would be 89 years old in 2025. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, his life's journey from a chemical technician and bouncer to the 266th Bishop of Rome is a story of radical humility and transformation of "a poor church for the poor."
As we reflect on his legacy, we look back at the moments that defined a papacy centered on the "peripheries" of society.
From Buenos Aires to the Chair of St. Peter
Born to Italian immigrant parents, Bergoglio’s roots as a Jesuit deeply influenced his leadership. He was the first Pope from the Americas and the first to take the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi’s dedication to the poor and the environment. He became the 3rd oldest pope in office; only Pope Leo XIII, who reached the age of 93, and Pope Agathon, a 7th century pope who lived to be 102, were ahead of him. Pope Benedict XVI died at the age of 95, but had left office at age 85.
Origins: He was born in Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina in South America. Francis was named Jorge (George) Mario Bergoglio by his parents. He was born on December 17, 1936. Francis became the 266th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013; following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was a member of the Jesuit Order. The Pontiff was ordained a priest in 1969. Jorge was the oldest of 5 children to Mario and Regina of Italy. Pope Francis' motto was Miserando atque eligendo, which is Latin for "lowly but chosen" or "by God's merciful choice". He chose this motto from a homily by Saint Bede the Venerable about Jesus calling St. Matthew. Pope Francis died on April 21st, 2025 and was succeeded by Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025.
Key Life Milestones
December 13, 1969: Ordained a priest in the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
February 21, 2001: Elevated to Cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
March 13, 2013: Elected Pope following the resignation of Benedict XVI.
April 21, 2025: Passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of reform.
A Papacy of "Firsts" and Global Journeys
Pope Francis was a tireless traveler, logging over 469,000 kilometers—roughly the distance to the moon and back.
Notable Journey Significance
United States (2015) The first Pope to ever address a joint session of the U.S. Congress.
Central African Republic (2015) He opened the Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy in Bangui, a war-torn capital, rather than Rome.
Iraq (2021) The first ever papal visit to Iraq, a historic mission of peace and interreligious dialogue.
East Timor (2024) Hosted one of the largest papal masses in history, attended by nearly half the country's population.
Moments That Moved the World
Beyond the travel, Francis’s tenure was marked by a shift in tone.
1. The "Statio Orbis" (The Lone Prayer in the Rain)
Perhaps the most iconic image of his pontificate occurred on March 27, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Standing alone in a deserted, rain-slicked St. Peter’s Square, the Pope delivered an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing.
Why people loved it: It captured the global mood of isolation and fear. His message that "we are all in the same boat" provided a rare moment of universal solidarity and spiritual comfort during a time of worldwide crisis.
2. The "Who Am I to Judge?" Moment
In 2013, during an informal in-flight press conference returning from Brazil, Francis was asked about gay priests. He responded with the now-famous line: "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?"
Why people loved it: While it didn't change official Church doctrine, it signaled a seismic shift in tone. It was seen as an embrace of humility and mercy over condemnation, making many who felt marginalized by the Church feel "seen" and welcomed for the first time.
3. Embracing the "Forgotten" (The Hug in St. Peter's)
Early in his papacy, a photo went viral showing Pope Francis closing his eyes and tenderly embracing Vinicio Riva, a man suffering from a rare disease that left his face covered in painful tumors.
Why people loved it: This wasn't a staged political photo; it was a raw display of the "culture of encounter" Francis preached. It reminded people of the stories of St. Francis of Assisi or even biblical accounts of Jesus, reinforcing his reputation as a "Pope of the People" who was not afraid to touch and be touched by human suffering.
His encyclicals also left a lasting mark on global policy:
Laudato Si’ (2015): A landmark "environmental manifesto" that reframed climate change as a moral and spiritual crisis.
Fratelli Tutti (2020): A call for global fraternity and social friendship in a fractured world.
Encyclicals
Dilexit nos (24 October 2024)
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Fratelli tutti (3 October 2020)
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Laudato si' (24 May 2015)
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Lumen fidei (29 June 2013)
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Legacy of Reform
In his final months, Francis continued his mission of mercy. He opened the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope and released his autobiography, Hope, providing a first-hand look at his "revolution of tenderness." His work to reform the Roman Curia and his focus on the Synod on Synodality ensured that the voices of the "ordinary faithful"—including women, who were granted voting rights in the Synod—would continue to shape the Church's future.
Today, as the Church moves forward under his successor, Pope Leo XIV, the world remembers Francis as the "Shepherd of the Peripheries."
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