Early Life and Education of Pope Francis: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Pope Francis, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Pope Francis is the current head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. He marks several historical firsts: the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas and Southern Hemisphere, and the first born and raised outside Europe since the 8th century. His papacy is noted for its emphasis on mercy, social justice, and environmental stewardship, as well as efforts to reform the Vatican bureaucracy and address issues such as clerical sexual abuse.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1925: Publication of "Der Gegensatz"

In 1925, Romano Guardini published "Der Gegensatz", a work that Bergoglio later considered exploring for his dissertation.

Spurbild der dreieinigen Gottesgemeinschaft.: Gemeinschaftsverständis bei Romano Guardini und seine Anwendung für die Fokolarbewegung (German Edition)

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1929: Bergoglio's family left Italy

In 1929, Mario Bergoglio's family left Italy to escape the fascist rule of Benito Mussolini, relocating to Argentina.

December 1936: Born in Buenos Aires

On December 17, 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, later Pope Francis, was born in Flores, Buenos Aires, the eldest of five children to Italian immigrant Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sívori.

December 1936: Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born

On December 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who would later become Pope Francis, was born. This event marks the birth of the future leader of the Catholic Church.

March 1958: Entered the Society of Jesus

On March 11, 1958, Jorge Bergoglio entered the Society of Jesus as a novice, after studying at Inmaculada Concepción Seminary in Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires.

1958: Inspired to join the Jesuits

In 1958, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was inspired to join the Society of Jesus after recovering from a severe illness, marking the beginning of his journey within the Jesuit order.

1960: Obtained a licentiate in philosophy

In 1960, Bergoglio obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio Máximo de San José, marking an important milestone in his academic pursuits.

1964: Taught at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción

From 1964 to 1965, Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción in Santa Fe, contributing to his early career as an educator.

1965: Taught at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción

In 1965, Bergoglio continued to teach literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, Santa Fe.

1966: Taught at the Colegio del Salvador

In 1966, Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires, expanding his teaching career.

1967: Began theological studies

In 1967, Bergoglio began his theological studies at Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel, preparing him for his future role in the Church.

1969: Ordained a Catholic priest

In 1969, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained as a Catholic priest, solidifying his commitment to the Church.

1979: Historic trip of John Paul II to Ireland

In 1979, John Paul II made a historic trip to Ireland.

1999: De la Rúa Replaces Menem as President

In 1999, Fernando de la Rúa replaced Carlos Menem as president of Argentina. As an archbishop, Bergoglio celebrated the annual Mass at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on the First National Government holiday, 25 May.

December 2001: Intervention During Police Repression

During the police repression of the riots in December 2001, Bergoglio contacted the Ministry of the Interior and requested that the police distinguish between rioters and vandals from peaceful protesters.

2001: Meeting with Ramón Puerta

In 2001, Bergoglio met with Ramón Puerta, the Senate president, and was positively impressed. Puerta assured him that the Justicialist Party was not planning to oust President De la Rúa and promised to support him.

2004: Mass at Cathedral and Political Dialogue Request

In 2004, Bergoglio celebrated Mass at the cathedral, where President Néstor Kirchner attended. Bergoglio requested more political dialogue, rejection of intolerance, and criticism of exhibitionism and strident announcements.

April 2005: Attended John Paul II's Funeral

In April 2005, Bergoglio attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II and was considered a possible successor to the papacy. He then participated in the 2005 papal conclave that ultimately elected Pope Benedict XVI.

2006: Helped Joaquín Piña Win Elections

In 2006, Bergoglio helped fellow Jesuit Joaquín Piña win elections in the Misiones Province to prevent an amendment of the local constitution allowing indefinite re-elections, which Kirchner intended to replicate nationally.

2008: Call for National Reconciliation

In 2008, Bergoglio called for national reconciliation during disturbances in Argentina's agricultural regions, which the government interpreted as support for anti-government demonstrators.

2010: Kirchner's Death

Néstor Kirchner, who considered Bergoglio a political rival, died in 2010. Bergoglio's relations with Kirchner's widow and successor, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, remained tense.

July 2013: "Who am I to judge?" statement

In July 2013, Pope Francis's televised "Who am I to judge?" statement was widely reported in the international press, becoming one of his most famous statements on LGBT people.

September 2014: First Joint Public Wedding Ceremony

On 14 September 2014, Pope Francis presided over his first joint public wedding ceremony in a Nuptial Mass for 20 couples from the Archdiocese of Rome.

September 2015: Visit to the United Nations

In September 2015, Pope Francis visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where he addressed the UN General Assembly and visited the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

2016: Creation of Instagram Account

In 2016, Pope Francis became the first pope to create an Instagram account, gaining over one million followers in under 12 hours.

June 2017: Met with Venezuela's bishops

In June 2017, Pope Francis met with the country's bishops, and the Venezuelan bishops' conference president stated, "There is no distance between the episcopal conference and the Holy See.".

2018: Provisional Vatican-China agreement

In 2018, Pope Francis approved a provisional Vatican-China agreement intended to normalize the situation of China's Catholics.

2018: Papal tour of Ireland

In 2018, Pope Francis visited Ireland, marking the first papal tour of the country since John Paul II's historic trip in 1979. During the visit, he apologized for sexual abuses by clergy in the United States and Ireland.

February 2019: Visit to Abu Dhabi

In February 2019, Pope Francis visited Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, becoming the first pope to celebrate Mass on the Arabian Peninsula, with over 120,000 attendees.

March 2020: Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis canceled regular general audiences, encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers, urged care for the poor, offered prayers for people with the virus, and invoked the Blessed Virgin Mary. He also reacted with displeasure to the closure of churches in the Diocese of Rome, pleading 'not to leave the ... people alone' and working to partially reverse the closures.

March 2020: Creation of Vatican COVID-19 Commission

On 20 March 2020, Pope Francis asked the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) to create a Vatican COVID-19 Commission to listen to concerns and develop responses for the future.

November 2020: Op-ed in The New York Times

On 26 November 2020, Pope Francis became the first pope to write an op-ed for The New York Times, addressing COVID-19 restrictions and the need for global solidarity.

2020: Agreement renewed for two years

In 2020, the Vatican-China agreement was renewed for two years.

March 2021: Meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani

In March 2021, Pope Francis held a historic meeting with Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and visited Ur, urging Muslim and Christian communities to work together for peaceful coexistence.

July 2022: Apostolic Journey to Canada and Apology for Indigenous Abuse

In July 2022, Pope Francis made an apostolic journey to Canada, expressing sorrow, indignation, and shame over the church's abuse of Canadian Indigenous children in residential schools. He apologized for the church's role in 'projects of cultural destruction' and forced assimilation.

January 2023: Denounced the criminalization of homosexuality

In a January 2023 interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis denounced the criminalization of homosexuality (which he called "unjust").

June 2023: Address to the UN Security Council

In June 2023, while recovering from abdominal surgery, Pope Francis issued an address to the UN Security Council, read by Vatican official Paul Gallagher on the Pope's behalf.

February 2024: Milei's Visit to the Vatican

On February 11, 2024, Javier Milei visited the Vatican on the day Francis canonized María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, the first female Argentine saint. This followed Milei softening his previously critical stance towards Francis.

September 2024: Visit to Indonesia and Interfaith Dialogue

In September 2024, Pope Francis visited Indonesia and attended inter-religious dialogue in Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. He and the Grand Imam signed the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024 to promote reconciliation and peace.

November 2024: Modified papal funeral rites

On 20 November 2024, Pope Francis modified papal funeral rites in order to make his funeral rites similar to that of a bishop. He also modified the papal burial requirements to no longer include the traditional three coffins of cypress, lead, and oak, opting to instead be buried in a simple wooden casket.