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Pope Francis, who ascended to the papacy in 2013, passed away on April 21, 2025, just one day after celebrating Easter at the Vatican. Here’s a look at significant milestones in the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first pope from the Americas and a transformative leader for the Catholic Church:
Dec. 17, 1936: Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the eldest of five children in a family of Italian immigrants, with his father Mario Jose working as an accountant and his mother Regina MarÃa SÃvori managing the household.
Dec. 13, 1969: Ordained as a priest within the Jesuit order, Bergoglio later led the order in Argentina during a turbulent period marked by a brutal dictatorship in the 1970s.
May 20, 1992: He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and, in 1998, became the archbishop of the city, succeeding Cardinal Antonio Quarracino.
Feb. 21, 2001: Created a cardinal by Pope St. John Paul II, Bergoglio started gaining international recognition within the Church hierarchy.
May 2007: Played a significant role in drafting the concluding document for the Latin American bishops’ conference in Aparecida, Brazil, which articulated his later concerns as pope regarding poverty, Indigenous rights, environmental issues, and the need for a more missionary-oriented Church.
March 13, 2013: Elected as the 266th pope, he made history as the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit pope, and chose the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi.
April 13, 2013: Established an advisory council of eight cardinals from various countries to aid in governing the Church and reforming its administrative structures.
May 12, 2013: Canonized the “Martyrs of Otranto,” honoring 813 Italians killed for resisting Turkish demands for conversion to Islam, rapidly increasing the number of saints canonized during his papacy.
July 8, 2013: Conducted his first international trip to Lampedusa, Italy, addressing the plight of migrants and condemning the “globalization of indifference” towards refugees.
July 30, 2013: When questioned about the status of a gay priest, he famously remarked, “Who am I to judge?” demonstrating a more inclusive approach towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Nov. 26, 2013: Released his apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium,” which criticized an economic system that marginalizes the poor and reaffirmed that the Eucharist is meant for all, especially the weak.
May 25, 2014: Made a spontaneous visit to the wall separating Israel from the West Bank in Bethlehem, signaling solidarity with the Palestinian people.
June 8, 2014: Hosted a peace prayer meeting at the Vatican with both Israeli and Palestinian presidents, emphasizing the Church’s role in fostering peace.
March 20, 2015: Accepted the resignation of Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien following allegations of sexual misconduct, showcasing a commitment to accountability within the Church.
June 18, 2015: Published his environmental encyclical “Laudato Si,” calling for a cultural and ethical shift to protect the environment and address the global economic imbalance affecting the poorest communities.
July 10, 2015: Expressed regret for the Catholic Church’s historical wrongdoings against Indigenous peoples during the conquest of the Americas while speaking in Bolivia.
Sept. 8, 2015: Reformed the annulment process for divorced Catholics, streamlining it to facilitate their return to church sacraments.
Sept. 24, 2015: Addressed the U.S. Congress in a historic speech, advocating for urgent action on climate change, immigration reform, and poverty alleviation.
Nov. 29, 2015: Launched the Jubilee of Mercy by opening the Holy Door in Bangui, Central African Republic, rather than in Vatican City, marking a significant gesture of inclusion.
Feb. 12, 2016: Met with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Havana, marking the first meeting between a pope and a patriarch in over a millennium.
Feb. 18, 2016: Expressed solidarity with migrants by praying for deceased individuals at the U.S.-Mexico border and criticized then-presidential candidate Donald Trump for his approach towards immigration.
April 8, 2016: In a notable footnote to “Amoris Laetitia,” allowed divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion, signaling a pastoral shift towards inclusivity.
April 16, 2016: Visited a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece, bringing back 12 Syrian migrants to Rome on his papal flight as a gesture of support and compassion.
Sept. 19, 2016: Faced inquiries from conservative cardinals regarding his stance on divorce and remarriage in light of his previous teachings.
Dec. 1, 2017: Affirmed the importance of Rohingya refugees, asserting their presence as a reflection of God’s will during a meeting in Bangladesh.
Jan. 19, 2018: Faced backlash after accusing sex abuse victims in Chile of slander, though later directed attention to the Church’s abuse crisis for investigation.
April 12, 2018: Acknowledged “grave errors” in judgment concerning Chile’s abuse scandal, prompting an invitation for bishops to resign and abuse victims to meet with him.
Aug. 3, 2018: Declared capital punishment unacceptable in all situations, officially changing Church doctrine on the matter.
July 28, 2018: Accepted the resignation of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct.
Aug. 26, 2018: A former Vatican ambassador released a statement alleging a cover-up regarding McCarrick’s misconduct, calling for Francis’ resignation.
Sept. 22, 2018: The Vatican and China reached a pivotal agreement related to bishop nominations, an unprecedented move in Church history.
Oct. 14, 2018: Canonized the slain Archbishop Óscar Romero of El Salvador, a move considered controversial by some traditionalists within the Church.
Feb. 4, 2019: Signed the “Human Fraternity” document with Al Azhar’s imam, promoting interfaith cooperation and dialogue.
Feb. 16, 2019: Stripped McCarrick of his cardinal title following findings of sexual abuse, emphasizing accountability in Church leadership.
Feb. 21, 2019: Convened the first Vatican summit focused explicitly on child protection, stressing the church’s need to take decisive action against clerical abuse.
May 9, 2019: New church guidelines mandated reporting clergy sexual abuse internally and established protocols for investigating bishops and higher-ups.
Oct. 25, 2019: Offered a public apology to Amazonian bishops after Indigenous statues were controversially removed from a Vatican church, indicating a commitment to dialogue with Indigenous communities.
Nov. 24, 2019: Declared nuclear weapons morally wrong during a visit to Japan, reinforcing the Church’s position on peace and justice.
Dec. 17, 2019: Eliminated the “pontifical secret” in clergy sexual abuse cases, increasing transparency and allowing information sharing with law authorities.
Feb. 12, 2020: Chose not to approve requests for ordaining married priests in the Amazon, sidestepping a potentially divisive issue in “Querida Amazonia.”
March 27, 2020: Addressed the world during the COVID-19 pandemic from St. Peter’s Square, a poignant moment of reflection and hope amidst crisis.
Oct. 4, 2020: Released the encyclical “Fratelli Tutti,” contending that the pandemic underscored the inadequacies of capitalism and urging for new political approaches to foster fraternity.
Nov. 10, 2020: A report into McCarrick’s case found systemic negligence, but did not implicate Pope Francis personally in the cover-up.
March 5-8, 2021: Became the first pope to visit Iraq, holding talks with the country’s leading Shiite cleric and fostering interfaith dialogue.
July 4, 2021: Underwent surgery for intestinal issues, highlighting the health challenges he faced as he continued his papal duties.
Jan. 5, 2023: Led the funeral Mass for Pope Benedict XVI, showcasing a continuity of leadership within the Catholic Church.
Jan. 24, 2023: Emphasized the human rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in an interview, asserting that sexual orientation is not a crime.
March 29, 2023: Admitted to a Roman hospital for a respiratory infection, later released after treatment.
June 7, 2023: Underwent additional surgery to address complications from previous intestinal treatment.
Oct. 4, 2023: Launched a synod aimed at increasing Church responsiveness, allowing women to vote alongside bishops for the first time, indicating a move toward inclusivity.
Nov. 28, 2023: Canceled his attendance at a U.N. climate conference due to a new bout of bronchitis, reflecting ongoing health concerns.
Dec. 16, 2023: A Vatican tribunal convicted Cardinal Angelo Becciu of embezzlement, bringing attention to the financial controversies surrounding the Church.
Dec. 19, 2023: Approved blessings for same-sex couples, a decision that sparked intense debates within the Church, particularly among conservative factions.
July 5, 2024: The Vatican excommunicated Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, a prominent critic of Francis, indicating ongoing tensions within the Church.
Sept. 10, 2024: Approximately 600,000 people, half of East Timor’s population, attended a papal Mass in Dili, marking a significant moment of engagement with local communities.
Dec. 26, 2024: Opened the Holy Door of Rebibbia prison, a gesture emphasizing mercy and solidarity in the lead-up to the 2025 Jubilee.
Dec. 29, 2024: Participated in a landmark interview with CBS News, wherein he articulated his hopes for peace relating to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
Jan. 16, 2025: Made public appearances despite recent sprains, underscoring his resilience amidst health challenges.
Feb. 14, 2025: Hospitalized due to complications from bronchitis that escalated into pneumonia, showcasing the gravity of his health status.
Feb. 28, 2025: Doctors contemplated altering his treatment after a critical breathing crisis, reflecting his declining health.
March 13, 2025: Celebrated the twelfth anniversary of his papacy from his hospital room, emphasizing the challenges he faced during this period.
March 23, 2025: Released from the hospital after almost six weeks, revealing a visibly weakened state.
April 17, 2025: Continued to fulfill his Holy Thursday tradition with a visit to Regina Caeli prison, reinforcing his commitment to empathy and service.
April 20, 2025: In his Easter address, he greeted thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter’s Square, marking what would be his final public appearance.
April 21, 2025: Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced Pope Francis’s passing at approximately 7:35 a.m. local time, highlighting his legacy of promoting Gospel values of love, justice, and compassion, particularly for the marginalized.
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