Kris Kristofferson

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, having been elected in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Francis is the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere. His papacy is marked by a focus on humility, care for the poor, interfaith dialogue, environmental issues, and reform within the Church. As a highly influential figure both within the Catholic Church and in global affairs, Pope Francis has continuously sought to bridge gaps between different social, religious, and political communities.

Early Life and Path to Priesthood

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born into a family of Italian immigrants, the eldest of five children. His father, Mario José Bergoglio, was a railway worker, and his mother, Regina María Sívori, was a homemaker. Raised in a modest household, young Jorge attended a technical secondary school and briefly worked as a chemical technician before he felt the calling to religious life.

At the age of 21, Bergoglio entered the Jesuit novitiate, a decision that would define the course of his spiritual life. The Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, is a religious order known for its emphasis on education, social justice, and missionary work. Bergoglio's early experiences with the Jesuits, particularly their commitment to poverty and simplicity, would profoundly shape his worldview and his priorities as pope.

After his novitiate, Bergoglio studied theology and philosophy at various Jesuit institutions in Argentina and Chile. He was ordained a priest in 1969. His work in the Society of Jesus took him into a variety of roles, including teacher, rector of a seminary, and eventually provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina. During this period, he developed a reputation for humility, simplicity, and a deep concern for the poor, a hallmark that would define his later papacy.

Rise Through the Church Hierarchy

Bergoglio's ascent within the Church hierarchy continued when, in 1992, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. Six years later, he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, a position that placed him at the center of Argentina’s religious and social landscape. In 2001, Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal.

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio was known for his unpretentious lifestyle. He famously took public transportation, lived in a small apartment rather than the archbishop's palace, and cooked his own meals. His leadership focused heavily on serving the poor and marginalized communities in Buenos Aires, in stark contrast to some other high-ranking members of the Catholic Church who were seen as more distant from their congregations.

Bergoglio’s reputation grew globally, especially for his handling of political and economic tensions in Argentina. He openly criticized government policies that increased inequality and poverty, but his approach was typically one of dialogue and cooperation rather than confrontation. His pastoral care for the poor and his commitment to social justice earned him the admiration of many both inside and outside the Church.

Election to the Papacy

Pope Benedict XVI's unprecedented resignation in February 2013 created a moment of uncertainty within the Catholic Church. As the College of Cardinals gathered to elect a new pope, Bergoglio, though seen as a long-shot candidate, quickly emerged as a consensus choice. His reputation for humility, compassion, and simplicity appealed to many who felt the Church needed a figure capable of reform and renewal.

On March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope, taking the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his dedication to poverty, humility, and care for creation. The choice of the name "Francis" was itself a signal of the kind of papacy he intended to lead—one focused on simplicity, service, and solidarity with the poor.

Key Themes and Priorities of His Papacy

From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis set a different tone from his predecessors. One of his earliest actions was to forgo the traditional papal residence in the Apostolic Palace, choosing instead to live in a modest guesthouse, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, within the Vatican. This decision was emblematic of his approach: a desire to break down barriers between the papacy and ordinary people, as well as a preference for a simpler, more accessible style of leadership.

1. Focus on the Poor and Social Justice

A cornerstone of Pope Francis's papacy has been his emphasis on caring for the poor and marginalized. He has consistently called for a "poor Church for the poor," criticizing economic systems that prioritize profit over human dignity. His 2013 apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), highlights the importance of addressing economic inequality and advocates for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to the global economy.

In numerous speeches and homilies, Pope Francis has condemned what he calls the "throwaway culture," in which the poor, the elderly, and the vulnerable are often discarded by society. He has urged world leaders to combat poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, and has called for more humane policies toward migrants and refugees.

2. Environmental Advocacy

Another defining feature of Pope Francis’s papacy has been his strong advocacy for environmental protection. In 2015, he published the encyclical Laudato Si' (On Care for Our Common Home), a groundbreaking document that calls for urgent action on climate change and environmental degradation. The encyclical highlights the interconnectedness of ecological and social issues, arguing that environmental destruction disproportionately affects the poor.

Laudato Si' had a significant impact on global environmental discourse, resonating beyond the Catholic Church to secular environmental movements and global political leaders. Francis has continued to speak out on environmental issues, framing the fight against climate change as not only a scientific or political challenge but a moral imperative.

3. Reform of the Church

Pope Francis has also undertaken significant efforts to reform the internal workings of the Catholic Church, with a particular focus on addressing corruption and the sexual abuse crisis that has plagued the Church for decades. Early in his papacy, he established a Council of Cardinals to advise him on reforms and initiated a review of the Vatican's finances in an effort to increase transparency and accountability.

The sexual abuse crisis, which has deeply damaged the Church's credibility in many parts of the world, has been a particularly painful issue for Francis. He has met with survivors, apologized for the Church’s failure to protect children, and called for more stringent measures to prevent future abuse. However, his handling of some cases has also drawn criticism, with some accusing him of not acting swiftly or decisively enough.

4. Interfaith Dialogue and Diplomacy

Pope Francis has made interfaith dialogue a central theme of his papacy, seeking to build bridges between the Catholic Church and other religious communities. He has met with leaders of various Christian denominations, as well as with leaders of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and other faiths, in an effort to promote peace and mutual understanding.

One of his most notable interfaith gestures came in 2019, when he signed a historic document on human fraternity with Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, one of the highest authorities in Sunni Islam. The document calls for interreligious dialogue, peace, and cooperation in addressing global challenges such as poverty and violence.

Francis has also played a significant role in international diplomacy. He was instrumental in facilitating the 2014 rapprochement between the United States and Cuba, and he has repeatedly called for peaceful resolutions to conflicts in places such as Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine. His message is often one of reconciliation, urging dialogue and cooperation over conflict.

Criticisms and Challenges

While Pope Francis has been widely admired for his humility and progressive stance on many social issues, his papacy has not been without controversy. Some traditionalists within the Catholic Church have expressed concerns about what they see as a dilution of Catholic doctrine under Francis’s leadership. His emphasis on mercy, particularly in his approach to issues like divorce and remarriage, has sparked debate about whether he is softening the Church’s moral teachings.

His openness to discussing the role of women in the Church and his comments on homosexuality—such as his famous remark, “Who am I to judge?”—have been welcomed by some but criticized by others who feel he is pushing the Church too far toward liberalism.

In addition to internal Church debates, Francis has faced the challenge of navigating a deeply polarized global political landscape. His critiques of capitalism, his call for environmental action, and his focus on migrants and refugees have earned him both praise and criticism from different political camps.

Legacy

As of today, Pope Francis’s legacy is still being shaped. He has redefined the papacy in ways that may have lasting effects on the Catholic Church and its relationship with the modern world. His focus on the poor, his environmental advocacy, and his efforts to reform the Church's internal governance have made him one of the most dynamic and impactful popes in recent history.

In the years to come, Pope Francis's influence will likely be measured by his ability to steer the Catholic Church through the challenges of the 21st century, including its ongoing struggles with abuse scandals, declining membership in some parts of the world, and the need for greater interfaith cooperation in an increasingly globalized society. Whether or not he fully succeeds in these efforts, his papacy has already left a profound mark on the Church and the world.