Pope Francis

Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936) is the 266th and current pope of the Catholic Church. He was elected by a conclave of cardinals on 13 March 2013, becoming the first Jesuit to become Pope and the first from the Americas. As such, he is both head of state for Vatican City as well as its leader in spiritual matters.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Italian immigrant parents who had converted to Catholicism during their time in Italy before emigrating back to South America with three children; two sons and a daughter, Jorge Mario Bergoglio attended several schools growing up including Escuela Técnica Industrial N° 11 Miguel Angel Fernandez High School after completing his primary education at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción school run by Jesuits Fathers where he developed an interest towards religion that eventually lead him into pursuing priesthood which began when he entered Facultad de Filosofía y Teología San José seminary where upon completion received Master’s degree equivalent title called Bachiller en Teologia (Bachelor Degree). On 11 December 1969 was ordained priest while being sent off soon after toward Germany for further studies thus beginning his career within clergy class serving since then various posts like master of novices between 1971-1979; Provincial Superior between 1973-1979 ; rector of Philosophical & Theological Faculty between 1980-1986 ; auxiliary Bishop 1991–1992; Archbishop 1992 – 1998 , Cardinal 2001 – 2013 . All these posts were held throughout different parts across Latin America making him one among few people having experience living with Native American populations or even visiting those places without any previous contact made beforehand with local communities showing deep understanding about culture and customs present there .He has been considered progressive social reformer advocating “Church should always be near poor” due focus given towards alleviating poverty alongside promoting human rights regardless race/religion/gender etc., therefore inspiring many movements worldwide around same topics under banner MERCY AND JUSTICE SHALL MEET taking initiatives like providing food shelter support medical aid through outreach programs offering free health services access clean water transportation facilities enabling more efficient distribution networks thereby helping them survive harsh conditions prevailing over some regions especially developing countries within Africa Asia Australia Latin America Middle East respectively.. Besides all this work done outside papal boundaries another notable change brought forward inside Vatican walls includes disbandment luxurious lifestyle adopted prior replacing it simpler one better fitting Franciscan values stressing importance humility austerity frugality etc., so much so that went extent donating personal apartment located Rome live small guest house instead indicating shift away from traditional power structures associated historically amongst Popes office setting example others follow suit resulting decrease operating costs large scale savings could then channeled toward charitable causes mentioned above further strengthening already established framework advancing mission serve humanity wholeheartedly !