Today is Monday, April 21, 2025. This is the day Pope Francis died. He was 88 years old. He was the head of the Catholic Church and leader of Vatican City from 2013 to 2025.
Early Life
Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio. His birthday was December 17, 1936. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His parents were Italian immigrants. His father worked as an accountant. His mother stayed at home to care for him and his four siblings.
As a child, Jorge liked to play football. He enjoyed reading books. He went to a local school. After school, he studied to become a chemical technician. He worked for a short time in the food industry.
When he was 21 years old, Jorge became very sick. He had pneumonia. Doctors removed part of his right lung to save his life. After this illness, he felt closer to God.
Pope Francis Age,Wiki, Biography, Wife, Children, Family
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Papal Name | Pope Francis |
| Birth Date | December 17, 1936 |
| Birth Place | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Death Date | April 21, 2025 |
| Death Place | Vatican City |
| Age at Death | 88 |
| Papacy Start | March 13, 2013 |
| Papacy End | April 21, 2025 |
| Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuit) |
| Significance | First pope from the Americas, South America, Jesuit order, and Southern Hemisphere |
| Early Career | Ordained priest in 1969; Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina (1973-1979); Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1998); Cardinal (2001) |
| Papal Election | Elected pope on fifth ballot during 2013 conclave after Benedict XVI's resignation |
| Papal Style | Humble, less formal, "no frills"; lived in guest house instead of Apostolic Palace |
| Languages | Native Spanish; fluent Italian, German; conversant in Latin, French, Portuguese, English |
| Key Contributions | Encyclical Laudato si’ on climate and environment; promoted interreligious dialogue; historic apologies for clergy abuse |
| Notable Actions | Supported inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics; appointed first woman to lead a Vatican department; criticized mass deportations in US |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025) |
| Health | Chronic lung disease; hospitalized in 2025 for pneumonia before death |
Joining the Church
Jorge wanted to serve God. He joined the seminary to become a priest. On March 11, 1958, he joined the Society of Jesus. This group is also called the Jesuits. Jesuits are known for helping the poor and teaching about God.
He studied philosophy and theology. He also taught literature and psychology at schools in Argentina. On December 13, 1969, Jorge was ordained as a Catholic priest.
From 1973 to 1979, he was the leader of the Jesuits in Argentina and Uruguay. He helped many people during this time. He taught students and guided young priests.
Becoming a Bishop and Cardinal
In 1992, Jorge became an auxiliary bishop in Buenos Aires. Later, he became the archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. He was a simple man. He used public transport and lived in a small apartment. He cooked his own food.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal. As a cardinal, Jorge helped the poor and spoke for justice. He was respected for his kindness and humility.
Elected as Pope
In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI resigned. The church needed a new leader. On March 13, 2013, Jorge was elected as pope. He chose the name Francis. He picked this name to honor Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis loved the poor and cared for animals and nature.
Pope Francis was the first pope from the Americas. He was the first Jesuit pope. He was also the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European pope in over 1,300 years.
Life as Pope
Pope Francis lived simply. He did not stay in the big papal palace. He chose to live in a small guest house in Vatican City. He wanted to be close to people. He often met with the poor and sick.
He spoke many languages. His native language was Spanish. He also spoke Italian, German, and some English.
Pope Francis wanted the church to help everyone. He spoke about mercy and forgiveness. He asked people to care for the poor. He wanted the church to be open and loving.
He worked to bring people together. He spoke with people from different religions. He asked for peace in the world.
Important Work
Pope Francis wrote a famous letter called Laudato si’ in 2015. In this letter, he talked about protecting the earth and fighting climate change. He also spoke about the need to help the poor.
He made changes in the church. He created a group of cardinals to help him make decisions. He apologized to people who suffered from abuse in the church. He wanted the church to be honest and caring.
Pope Francis visited many countries. He met with leaders and common people. He prayed for peace and unity everywhere he went.
Personal Qualities
Pope Francis was known for his humility. He did not like fancy clothes or rich things. He smiled often and listened to people. He wanted to be a servant, not a king.
He believed that priests should be close to the people. He said priests must have the "smell of the sheep," meaning they should live with and help ordinary people.
Last Years and Death
Pope Francis had health problems in his last years. He spent time in the hospital in 2025. He died on April 21, 2025, in Vatican City. He was 88 years old.
Legacy
Pope Francis will be remembered for many things:
He was the first pope from South America and the Jesuit order.
He lived a simple life and taught about mercy and love.
He cared for the poor and the earth.
He tried to make the church more open and honest.
He brought hope to many people around the world.
Pope Francis showed that a leader can be humble and kind. He taught people to care for each other and for the planet. His life is an example of faith and service.