VATICAN - Pope Francis 1936-2025

Vatican City (Fides Agency) - At 9:47 this morning, Monday, April 21, Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced with sorrow the death of Pope Francis with these words: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was devoted to service to the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love the One and Triune God”.

Pope Francis, formerly Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936. On December 25th of the same year, Christmas Day, he received the sacrament of Baptism.

At the age of 22, he entered the diocesan seminary of Villa Devoto, then run by the Jesuits. On March 11, 1958, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. After completing his humanistic studies in Chile, he returned to Argentina in 1963 and graduated in philosophy from the Colegio San José in San Miguel. From 1967 to 1970, he studied theology, also graduating from the Colegio San José.

On December 13th, 1969, he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. He continued his formation between 1970 and 1971 in Spain, and on April 22, 1973, he made his perpetual profession in the Jesuits. On July 31st, 1973, he was appointed provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina.

On May 20th, 1992, John Paul II appointed him titular bishop of Auca and auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. On June 27th, he received episcopal ordination. On June 3rd, 1997, he was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires. Nine months later, upon the death of Cardinal Quarracino, he succeeded him on February 28th, 1998, as Archbishop and Primate of Argentina.

In the Consistory of February 21st, 2001, John Paul II created him Cardinal, with the title of San Roberto Bellarmino. He was elected Supreme Pontiff on March 13th, 2013.( Fides Agency)

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