Pope Francis

Pope Francis, whose birth name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He made history by being elected as the first pope from Latin America on March 13, 2013. He died on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88.

As head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis’ papacy is characterized by a strong commitment to alleviating poverty and serving marginalized communities, reflecting his Latin American roots. He is known for his humble lifestyle, often refusing luxury and opting for simpler choices, such as using common vehicles and staying in modest accommodations during travels. He is recognized for his efforts to foster a more approachable faith and his emphasis on a ‘poor Church for the poor.’

His papacy has also been marked by significant events, including his visit to Canada to seek forgiveness from First Nations and his convocation of the synod on the Amazon, emphasizing his dedication to indigenous rights and dignity.

Francis developed a bond with Filipinos when he visited the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, from January 15 to January 19, 2015.

During said visit, he met with survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban and delivered a touching message of ‘mercy and compassion’ that inspired many and was warmly received. The mass he celebrated at Quirino Grandstand, Manila, attracted one of the largest papal audiences in history.

He has expressed admiration for the contributions of Filipinos in spreading the Catholic faith globally, referring to them as ‘smugglers of the faith’ during a celebration of the traditional Filipino Simbang Gabi at Saint Peter’s Basilica in December 2019.

Editors’ Note: This was produced with assistance from Rai, Rappler’s AI chatbot, that sources information from Rappler’s articles.