Pope Francis attends a conference in Naples, Italy, in 2019.
Pope Francis, in pictures
Pope Francis attends a conference in Naples, Italy, in 2019.
Marco Cantile/LightRocket/Getty Images

Updated 1329 GMT (2129 HKT) June 07, 2023

Pope Francis was elected in 2013 after Benedict XVI retired.

He is the first Latin American pope in history and the first from the Americas. Before he was pope, he was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires.

He chose the name Francis to honor St. Francis of Assisi, who is revered among Catholics for his work with the poor.

Francis, seen at left with his brother Oscar, was born on December 17, 1936. He was the eldest child of Mario and Regina Bergoglio, Italian immigrants in Argentina.
Francis, seen at left with his brother Oscar, was born on December 17, 1936. He was the eldest child of Mario and Regina Bergoglio, Italian immigrants in Argentina.
Family Photo
Francis as a young boy.
Francis as a young boy.
Family Photo
Francis with his parents in 1958.
Francis with his parents in 1958.
Handout
Francis was ordained as a priest in 1969. In high school, he studied to become a chemical technician.
Francis was ordained as a priest in 1969. In high school, he studied to become a chemical technician.
Family Photo
Francis poses for a photo during an Easter procession in 2000. A couple of years earlier he had become the archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Francis poses for a photo during an Easter procession in 2000. A couple of years earlier he had become the archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Espinola Family/AP
In 2001, Francis was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
In 2001, Francis was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
Francis greets parishioners in Buenos Aires.
Francis greets parishioners in Buenos Aires.
Claudia Conteris/AFP/Getty Images
The future pope washes a woman's feet at a maternity hospital in Buenos Aires in 2005.
The future pope washes a woman's feet at a maternity hospital in Buenos Aires in 2005.
Tony Gomez/Reuters
Francis meets Pope Benedict XVI, the man he would eventually succeed, while on a trip to the Vatican in 2007.
Francis meets Pope Benedict XVI, the man he would eventually succeed, while on a trip to the Vatican in 2007.
Arturo Mari/Osservatore Romano/AFP/Getty Images
Francis takes public transportation before celebrating Mass in Buenos Aires in 2008. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio took the bus to work and cooked his own meals.
Francis takes public transportation before celebrating Mass in Buenos Aires in 2008. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio took the bus to work and cooked his own meals.
Emiliano Lasalvia/LatinContent/Getty Images
Francis holds Mass outside a church in Buenos Aires in 2009.
Francis holds Mass outside a church in Buenos Aires in 2009.
Natacha Pisarenko/AP
Francis gives holy communion to Roberto Bendini, Argentina's former army chief, in 2009.
Francis gives holy communion to Roberto Bendini, Argentina's former army chief, in 2009.
Martin Zabala/AP
Francis waves to the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after he was elected as the 266th pope on March 13, 2013. Benedict XVI had announced his retirement a month earlier, citing his "advanced age."
Francis waves to the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after he was elected as the 266th pope on March 13, 2013. Benedict XVI had announced his retirement a month earlier, citing his "advanced age."
Gregorio Borgia/AP
People watch the new Pope after he was introduced at the Vatican. In addition to being the first Latin American pope and the first from the Americas, Francis is also the first Jesuit pope. He's also the first non-European pope in more than 1,000 years.
People watch the new Pope after he was introduced at the Vatican. In addition to being the first Latin American pope and the first from the Americas, Francis is also the first Jesuit pope. He's also the first non-European pope in more than 1,000 years.
ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images
A day after his election, the Pope pays his lodging bill at the Paulus VI, where he stayed during conclave.
A day after his election, the Pope pays his lodging bill at the Paulus VI, where he stayed during conclave.
Osservatore Romano/AFP/Getty Images
The Pope answers reporters' questions while flying back from a trip to Brazil in July 2013. During the impromptu news conference, the Pope said that he would not "judge" gays and lesbians, including gay priests. "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" he said. Many saw the move as the opening of a more tolerant era in the Catholic Church.
The Pope answers reporters' questions while flying back from a trip to Brazil in July 2013. During the impromptu news conference, the Pope said that he would not "judge" gays and lesbians, including gay priests. "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" he said. Many saw the move as the opening of a more tolerant era in the Catholic Church.
Luca Zennaro/AP
In November 2013, the Pope dons a red nose with members of the Rainbow Association Marco Iagulli Onlus. The charity uses clown therapy in hospitals, nursing homes and orphanages.
In November 2013, the Pope dons a red nose with members of the Rainbow Association Marco Iagulli Onlus. The charity uses clown therapy in hospitals, nursing homes and orphanages.
Realy Easy Star/Alamy Live News
Francis was named Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2013.
Francis was named Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2013.
from Time Magazine
The Pope is presented with a gift by Argentine President Cristina Fernández during a private audience at the Vatican in March 2014.
The Pope is presented with a gift by Argentine President Cristina Fernández during a private audience at the Vatican in March 2014.
Alberto Pizzoli/AP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have an audience with the Pope during their one-day visit to Rome in April 2014.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have an audience with the Pope during their one-day visit to Rome in April 2014.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images
A balloon flies past the Pope during his general audience in St Peter's Square in May 2014.
A balloon flies past the Pope during his general audience in St Peter's Square in May 2014.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Imagees
Francis prays next to a rabbi at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City in May 2014. The Pope went on a three-day trip to the Holy Land, and he was accompanied by Jewish and Muslim leaders from his home country of Argentina.
Francis prays next to a rabbi at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City in May 2014. The Pope went on a three-day trip to the Holy Land, and he was accompanied by Jewish and Muslim leaders from his home country of Argentina.
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
The Pope signs a guestbook while meeting with bishops in Seoul, South Korea, in August 2014.
The Pope signs a guestbook while meeting with bishops in Seoul, South Korea, in August 2014.
Handout/Getty Images
Francis waves to the faithful during a weekly audience at the Vatican in October 2014.
Francis waves to the faithful during a weekly audience at the Vatican in October 2014.
Franco Origlia/Getty Images
The Pope kisses a girl during a special audience at the Vatican in November 2014.
The Pope kisses a girl during a special audience at the Vatican in November 2014.
Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
Francis blows out candles on a cake as he celebrated his 78th birthday in December 2014.
Francis blows out candles on a cake as he celebrated his 78th birthday in December 2014.
TONY GENTILE/REUTERS/Newscom
Pope Francis prays on the floor of St. Peter's Basilica while observing Good Friday in April 2015.
Pope Francis prays on the floor of St. Peter's Basilica while observing Good Friday in April 2015.
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
People in Quito, Ecuador, gather near a huge video screen broadcasting the Pope's visit to the city in July 2015.
People in Quito, Ecuador, gather near a huge video screen broadcasting the Pope's visit to the city in July 2015.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
Francis shakes hands with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in September 2015. During his trip to Cuba, the Pope praised the reconciliations taking place between Cuba and the United States.
Francis shakes hands with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in September 2015. During his trip to Cuba, the Pope praised the reconciliations taking place between Cuba and the United States.
Alex Castro/AP
The Pope talks with US President Barack Obama while visiting the White House in September 2015. It was the fourth time a pope had visited the United States.
The Pope talks with US President Barack Obama while visiting the White House in September 2015. It was the fourth time a pope had visited the United States.
Alex Wong/White House Pool/VCG via Getty Images
Francis addresses a joint session of the US Congress in September 2015.
Francis addresses a joint session of the US Congress in September 2015.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
The Pope waves to a crowd from the US Capitol in September 2015.
The Pope waves to a crowd from the US Capitol in September 2015.
DOUG MILLS/The New York Times/Redux
Francis arrives to speak to the UN General Assembly in September 2015.
Francis arrives to speak to the UN General Assembly in September 2015.
Bryan Thomas/Getty Images
The Pope celebrates Mass at New York's Madison Square Garden during his trip to the United States.
The Pope celebrates Mass at New York's Madison Square Garden during his trip to the United States.
Michael Appleton-Pool/Getty Images
The Pope kisses a baby at the Vatican in October 2015.
The Pope kisses a baby at the Vatican in October 2015.
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images
Francis tries on a traditional sombrero he received as a gift from a Mexican journalist while on a flight to the country in February 2016.
Francis tries on a traditional sombrero he received as a gift from a Mexican journalist while on a flight to the country in February 2016.
Alessandro Di Meo/Pool/AP
The Pope meets migrants at the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos in April 2016. He received an emotional welcome <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/16/europe/pope-visits-refugees-lesbos/" target="_blank">during a visit</a> in which he showed solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty.
The Pope meets migrants at the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos in April 2016. He received an emotional welcome during a visit in which he showed solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty.
Andrea Bonetti/Greek Prime Minister's Office/Getty Images
Francis passes the main entrance to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former concentration camp in Poland, in July 2016. The Pope <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/29/europe/poland-pope-auschwitz-visit/" target="_blank">was there to pay tribute</a> to those who died in the Holocaust.
Francis passes the main entrance to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former concentration camp in Poland, in July 2016. The Pope was there to pay tribute to those who died in the Holocaust.
Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images
The Pope releases a dove as a symbol of peace while in Tbilisi, Georgia, in September 2016.
The Pope releases a dove as a symbol of peace while in Tbilisi, Georgia, in September 2016.
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty images
Francis and a group of cardinals meet with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in a chapel at the Vatican in November 2016.
Francis and a group of cardinals meet with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in a chapel at the Vatican in November 2016.
Sipa USA/Sipa USA
The Pope poses with members of the International Rural Catholic Association while at the Vatican in December 2016.
The Pope poses with members of the International Rural Catholic Association while at the Vatican in December 2016.
L'Osservatore Romano/Pool/AP