Pope Francis Elected
2013 AD
📂 POPE
📖 About This Event
On March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected Pope, taking the name Francis—the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. His election marked a dramatic shift in the direction of the papacy, with Francis emphasizing mercy, poverty, care for the poor and marginalized, and a pastoral approach that prioritizes encounter over doctrine. He chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, signaling his commitment to humility, simplicity, and care for creation.
Pope Francis's papacy has been marked by several significant initiatives: the encyclical Laudato Si' on care for our common home (2015), the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia on love in the family (2016), the promotion of synodality (greater participation of the laity in Church governance), reforms of the Roman Curia, a focus on the sexual abuse crisis, and efforts toward reconciliation with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. His style—simple, humble, and accessible—has made him one of the most popular and widely followed popes in history.
Francis has also pursued ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, meeting with Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, signing a document on human dignity with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and promoting Christian-Muslim reconciliation. Key Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 6:27-36; Matthew 16:18; CCC 880-885, 1928-1948, 2401-2463
📜 Key Facts
Date
2013 AD
Category
Pope
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