04/22/2025
In Memoriam: Pope Francis, 1936–2025
With solemn hearts, we offer our condolences to the global Catholic community and all who admired Pope Francis. His life was one of service, humility and unwavering love for humanity.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, he was ordained a priest in 1969 and rose through the ranks of the Jesuit order before being named archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. In 2013, he became Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church—and the first from the Americas, the Southern Hemisphere and the Jesuit order.
Pope Francis captured the world’s attention through his humility and focus on inclusion, care for the environment and social justice. He chose to live in a guesthouse instead of the traditional papal palace, emphasized a “church of the poor” and promoted dialogue among people of different faiths and cultures.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis championed peace, addressed climate change as a moral issue and sought to heal wounds from the church’s past. He brought a renewed energy to the papacy, modernizing many aspects of the church while remaining anchored in spiritual tradition.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of compassion and conviction. His words and actions touched hearts around the world, offering light and leadership in a time that needed both.
