Pope Francis

Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, signaling a commitment to humility, simplicity, and care for the poor and for creation. He was the first pope in history to adopt the name Francis. The choice was widely interpreted as a deliberate departure from the more formal, doctrinal tone of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis is the first pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), a Catholic religious order founded in 1540 known for its emphasis on intellectual rigor, missionary outreach, and social justice. Jesuits traditionally avoid seeking high ecclesiastical office, making his election in the March 2013 conclave historically unusual. His Jesuit formation heavily influenced his emphasis on discernment, pastoral flexibility, and "going to the peripheries" of society.

Pope Francis died in April 2025, ending a pontificate that began with his election on March 13, 2013. He served as pope for over twelve years, making his tenure one of the longer modern pontificates. His death followed a period of significant health challenges in his final months, including respiratory issues that required hospitalization.

Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical "Laudato si'" (On Care for Our Common Home) is widely regarded as one of his most influential documents, framing environmental degradation and climate change as urgent moral and spiritual crises. It was the first papal encyclical devoted primarily to ecological concerns. His 2020 encyclical "Fratelli Tutti," addressing social fraternity and global solidarity, was another major document of his pontificate.