On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, archbishop of Buenos Aires was elected to become the first pope from the Americas. As the 265th successor to Saint Peter, he was the first pope to take the name of Francis, a name chosen in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936, the son of Italian immigrants. He entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus on 11 March 1958 and he was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969. He was appointed by Pope John Paul II as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires on May 20, 1992.
“My people are poor and I am one of them”, he has said more than once, explaining his decision to live in an apartment and cook his own supper. He has always advised his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage and to keep their doors open to everyone.