Recent reports regarding the deteriorating health of Pope Francis have sparked great concerns within the Catholic Church and among non-Catholics alike. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has previously faced complications related to his colon and lungs, was diagnosed with pneumonia affecting both of his lungs on February 18th, 2025, leading to an extended hospitalization.
Despite widespread fears that his condition could be life-threatening, the Pope has demonstrated significant improvements in his health, and has even performed minor tasks in his capacity as Pope. Current reports indicate that he is on a path to recovery, although preparations for his funeral and succession have been, and are still being, discussed and organized.
Pope Francis has served as the Head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State since March 13, 2013, following the resignation of his predecessor, and the first pontiff to resign, Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022), due to health concerns. Pope Francis is known for his liberal interpretations of Catholic doctrine and has been instrumental in negotiating various disputes between countries in Europe and the Caribbean. 2025 is a year of special significance in Pope Francis’s papacy, as it will mark a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church.
Born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian immigrants, Pope Francis’s life was shaped by his family’s experiences and humble background. His father, Mario José Bergoglio, a railway employee in Portocomaro, a town in northern Italy, and his mother, Regina María Sívori, a homemaker, emigrated to Argentina soon after their marriage to escape the oppressive fascist regime of Benito Mussolini in 1929. Upon their arrival in Argentina, Mario Bergoglio continued his work in the railway sector, while Regina Sívori dedicated herself to raising their five children in the modest working-class neighborhood of Flores, Buenos Aires.
At the age of 10, His Holiness began his education at the Wilfrid Barón de los Santos Ángeles school in Ramos Mejía, located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, before moving to the Escuela Técnica Industrial N° 27, four years later, where he pursued studies in chemistry.After graduating, Pope Francis undertook various roles, including janitor, bar bouncer, and literature teacher.
At the age of 21, Bergoglio underwent a significant spiritual transformation during a confession on September 21, 1953, which prompted him to join the Society of Jesus, known as Jesuits, in 1958, a prominent Catholic order known for its missionary fervor. As a Jesuit member, His Holiness travelled throughout Argentina, Chile, and Spain in order to preach and brought thousands to God.
Bergoglio was ordained as a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano on December 13th, 1969. In the following years, Pope Francis pursued further studies, obtaining a degree in philosophy and later serving as a professor of literature and psychology at Jesuit institutions in Argentina.
In 1973, at the age of 36, Bergoglio was appointed Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Argentina. His leadership occurred during a challenging time in the nation’s history, the Dirty War (1976–1983), a time of political strife when the militaristic regime of Argentina targeted political opponents, especially the Catholic clergy. During this time, Bergoglio navigated a complex situation, discreetly working to safeguard persecuted individuals while maintaining amiable relations with hostile Argentinian authorities to protect his religious order.
Despite facing tremendous criticism for not openly condemning the oppressive dictatorship of Jorge Rafaél Videla, a notorious military officer known for his cruelty, numerous accounts indicate that His Holiness discreetly assisted in sheltering and securing the release of those targeted by Videla’s regime. His experiences during this dark time profoundly influenced his lifelong commitment to human rights, social justice, and reconciliation.
Almost 30 years after becoming a priest, Bergoglio was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 by the then Pope John Paul II. Whilst serving in this role, Pope Francis gained international recognition for his humility and unpretentious way of living. His fame and popularity especially rose when he continued to utilize public transport and chose to reside in his simple apartment rather than the archbishop’s palace after becoming the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, one of the most important dioceses of South America. His efforts garnered widespread attention within the global Catholic community, and led to his elevation to the rank of cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
After the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, His Holiness was one of the top candidates to become the next Pope. However, in accordance with the results of the 2005 conclave, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a Bavarian clergy member, was elected as Pope Benedict XVI instead.
Pope Francis remained in his position of cardinal and Archbishop of Buenos Aires until the early months of 2013, when Pope Benedict XVI took the unprecedented decision to resign due to health concerns. No prior Catholic Pope had resigned in the entire 2,000 year history of the Church. When the conclave of cardinals gathered in March 2013, His Holiness was elected the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and subsequently adopted the name of Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint celebrated for his commitment to poverty and humility. His election represented several significant milestones, as he was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pontiff. After being announced by the conclave as the Bishop of Rome and Pope, His Holiness met and greeted the enthusiastic crowds outside of the Apostolocal Palace. In a personal choice to reflect humility, Pope Francis chose to live in the unpretentious Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse instead of the lavish Apostolic Palace, being the first one to do so since the Palace’s partial, but not complete, construction in 500 AD.
As Pope, His Holiness has won widespread acclaim for his accomplishments in diplomacy and his missionary efforts.
