Updated on: 14-Mar-2013
We have a Pope
Yes! We have a Pope within a fortnight of Pope BenedictXVI’s resignation as Head of the Catholic Church on 28th February 2013.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Buenos Aires, Argentina,emerged on 13th March 2013 from among the 115 cardinals to be the266th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church by taking the name Francis. Pope Francis is the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to be in the role.
Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is one of the five children of Italian railway worker Mario JoseBergoglio and Regina Maria Sivori. Although lost a lung following a respiratoryillness in 1958, Jorge obtained degree in Chemistry and philosophy. Ordained in1969 as a Jesuit he taught literature, psychology and theology. Jorge served as the provincial for Argentina from 1973 to 1979.
Appointed auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Buenos Aires in1992 later became the Archbishop in 1998. Created Cardinal in 2001 by Pope JohnPaul II is believed to have been runner up at conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
Known for a simple personal life style, the pontiff was also seen as champion of social justice.
The Inauguration of the first non-European pope will take place with the solemn Euchariston the Feast of St. Joseph on March 19, 2013.