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. Notably, he is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born outside of Europe since the 8th century. His papacy has focused on themes of mercy, social justice, environmental stewardship, and interreligious dialogue, often emphasizing outreach to marginalized communities and advocating for global solutions to poverty and inequality.

Sections (6)

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

1929: Bergoglio's family left Italy

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

December 1936: Born in Buenos Aires

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who later became Pope Francis, was born on 17 December 1936 in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the eldest of five children.

December 1936: Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born

On December 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who later became Pope Francis, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

March 1958: Entered the Society of Jesus

On 11 March 1958, Jorge Mario Bergoglio entered the Society of Jesus as a novice after studying at the 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 (Jesuits) after recovering from a severe illness.

March 1960: Became a Jesuit

On 12 March 1960, Bergoglio officially became a Jesuit after making his initial vows.

1960: Obtained licentiate in philosophy

In 1960, Jorge Mario Bergoglio obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio Máximo de San José.

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.

1965: 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.

1966: Taught at Colegio del Salvador

In 1966, Jorge Mario Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires.

1967: Began theological studies

In 1967, Jorge Mario Bergoglio began his theological studies at Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel.

1969: Ordained as a Catholic priest

In 1969, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained as a Catholic priest.

1980: Rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel

In 1980, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was named the rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel after spending three months in Ireland learning English.

1999: De la Rúa replaces Menem as president of Argentina

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

April 2005: Attended Pope John Paul II's funeral and papal conclave

In April 2005, Bergoglio attended Pope John Paul II's funeral and participated in the papal conclave as a cardinal elector, where Pope Benedict XVI was elected. He was considered one of the papabile for succession to the papacy.

2007: Established weekly Mass

In 2007, shortly after Benedict XVI introduced new rules for pre-Vatican II liturgical forms, Bergoglio established a weekly Mass in this extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.

2010: Kirchner's death

Néstor Kirchner died in 2010.

September 2015: Visit to the U.S.

The timing of the closure of the investigation into the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious in April 2015 may have anticipated a visit by Francis to the U.S. in September 2015.

May 2017: Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto appointed leader

In May 2017, Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was appointed leader of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta after the resignation of Matthew Festing.

March 2020: Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis cancelled regular general audiences at St. Peter's Square, encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers, urged the faithful not to forget the poor, and offered prayers for people with the virus in China. On 13 March 2020, he reacted with displeasure to the closure of all churches in the Diocese of Rome and pleaded "not to leave the people alone."

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.

2021: Rumors about Resignation

In 2021, Pope Francis's health problems prompted rumors that he might resign, which Francis dismissed.

June 2022: Trip Cancellations Due to Health

In June 2022, Pope Francis canceled planned trips to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan after undergoing treatment to his knee. He also said he would consider resigning if his health prevented him from running the church.

2022: Use of Wheelchair and Acknowledgment of Slower Papacy Phase

Pope Francis has publicly used a wheelchair since 2022 due to persistent knee pain and acknowledged that his recurring mobility problems had precipitated the beginning of what Reuters termed "a new, slower phase of his papacy".

February 2023: Statement on Resignation

During his trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in February 2023, Pope Francis said that resignation was "not in his agenda at the moment".

March 2023: Hospitalization for Respiratory Infection

In March 2023, Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome with a respiratory infection.

February 2024: Milei visits the Vatican

On February 11, 2024, Javier Milei visited the Vatican, the day Francis canonized María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, the first female Argentine saint.

November 2024: Modification of Papal Funeral Rites

On 20 November 2024, Pope Francis modified papal funeral rites to resemble those of a bishop and opted for a simple wooden casket instead of the traditional three coffins. Pope Francis will also be the first Pope since Leo XIII to be buried outside the Vatican, with plans to bury him in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore basilica. The changes in November 2024 reflect a desire for simplicity.

February 2025: Hospitalization due to Bronchitis and Polymicrobial Infection

In February 2025, Pope Francis was hospitalized due to bronchitis and a polymicrobial infection. His condition was described as critical, and he experienced kidney failure and required mechanical ventilation.