BIOGRAPHY OF POPE FRANCIS

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite, was born on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires.

He was ordained for the Jesuits on 13 December 1969 during his theological studies at the Theological Faculty of San Miguel.

He was novice master in San Miguel, where he also taught theology. He was Provincial for Argentina (1973-1979) and rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel (1980-1986). After completing his doctoral dissertation in Germany, he served as a confessor and spiritual director in Córdoba.

On 20 May 1992 he was appointed titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires, receiving episcopal consecration on 27 June. On 3 June 1997 was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires and succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino on 28 February 1998. He is also Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite.

Adjunct Relator General of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, October 2001.

He served as President of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from 8 November 2005 until 8 November 2011.

Created Cardinal

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by the Bl. John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Title of S. Roberto Bellarmino (St. Robert Bellarmine).

Proclaimed Pope

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., taking the name 'Francis', was elected Pope - the 265th Successor of St Peter - at 18:06, UK time, on 13 March 2013.

Membership prior to Election

• Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments

• Congregation for the Clergy

• Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

• Pontifical Council for the Family

• Pontifical Commission for Latin America