The Agrentinian was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio born in Buenos Aires on the 17th of December 1936.
Seen as an outsider when he was chosen to succeed Benedict the 16th in 2013, the Argentinian was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
In fact, he was the first Pope in 1300 years to be from outside of Europe.
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on the 17th of December 1936.
As the son of a railway worker who came from humble beginnings, and remained humble throughout his illustrious career, seen driving his old car and wearing simple clothes despite his high status.
An educated man, he earned a Master’s in chemistry and philosophy before going on to receive a doctorate in theology. He briefly worked in the food processing industry before cutting short his career after being compelled to join the church, becoming an ordained Catholic priest in 1969.
He later became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires before being sworn in as the 266th pope at 76 years old in 2013.
He has left behind an important legacy – Strong on social justice, with a tolerant tone on issues of women, abortion and homosexuality.Pope Francis defied many who had expected a younger leader at the helm and was praised for his common touch and determination to root out Vatican bureaucracy and corruption.
He garnered plaudits when he addressed the horrific legacy of child sexual abuse head on.
The 88-year-old made his mark on the papacy from an early stage, abandoning the roomy penthouse apartment used by Popes for the past century in favour of a tiny suite at the Vatican guesthouse.
In popular culture, Pope Francis was famously depicted by Jonathan Pryce in the Academy Award-winning film “The Two Popes”.
The film examining the relationship between the two after Pope Benedict in an unprecedented move decided to step down from the position. He was still active up until shortly before his death, visiting numerous countries, but he was plagued with illness, including several days in hospital and abdominal surgery as a result of a hernia and repeated lung infections.
Pope Francis was named by Fortune Magazine as the greatest world leader in 2014, and is estimated to have represented over 1-point-3 billion Roman Catholics during his reign. In 2015, he received a standing ovation after addressing the US Congress.
