Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first from outside Europe since the 8th century. His early life included overcoming a severe illness and working as a chemical technician before entering the Society of Jesus in 1958. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and held various leadership roles within the Jesuit order in Argentina, including provincial superior and rector of a theological faculty.

He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. During his tenure as archbishop, he focused on increasing the church's presence in impoverished areas, restructuring the archdiocese, and promoting fiscal discipline. He was created a cardinal in 2001. In 2013, he was elected pope, choosing the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Throughout his papacy, he was recognized for his emphasis on mercy, interreligious dialogue, and concern for the poor, migrants, and refugees. He also advocated for greater inclusivity within the Church and addressed global issues such as climate change and capital punishment.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. After recovering from a serious illness in his youth, which led to the removal of part of a lung, he felt called to religious life and joined the Society of Jesus in 1958. His early Jesuit formation involved studying humanities in Chile and philosophy in Argentina. He later taught literature and psychology before beginning his theological studies. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and completed his spiritual training as a Jesuit, taking his final vows in 1973.

Bergoglio served as the provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina from 1973 to 1979. Following this, he became the rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel. He also spent time in Ireland to improve his English. In 1986, he returned to Argentina and served as a confessor and spiritual director. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. As archbishop, he focused on expanding the church's outreach to the poor in the shantytowns, earning the nickname 'villero bishop,' and implemented stricter financial management for the archdiocese.

Elected Pope in 2013, Francis, the first Jesuit pope, adopted a less formal style, residing in a guesthouse and favoring simpler vestments. He is known for his emphasis on God's mercy, humility, and his commitment to interreligious dialogue. He championed the cause of the poor, migrants, and refugees, and advocated for greater inclusivity for LGBTQ individuals within the Church, though he maintained restrictions on liturgical blessings for same-sex unions. He convened the Synod on Synodality, a significant event for the Catholic Church. On global matters, he was critical of consumerism and overdevelopment, making climate action a priority. He also advocated for the abolition of capital punishment, criticized right-wing populism, and worked to restore diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States.