10 Defining Moments in the Life of Pope Francis
Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He took office on March 13, 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI.
1958-03-11
1958-03-11
Entered the Society of Jesus
Jorge Bergoglio entered the Society of Jesus as a novice.
Religious Order
1969-12-13
1969-12-13
Ordained to the Priesthood
Jorge Bergoglio became a priest in the Society of Jesus.
Ordination
1973-07-31
1973-07-31
Appointed Provincial Superior
Served as head of the Society of Jesus in Argentina.
Appointment
1992-05-20
1992-05-20
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires
Started his service as a bishop.
Episcopal Appointment
1997-06-03
1997-06-03
Appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires
Positioned to succeed the Archbishop.
Episcopal Appointment
1998-02-28
1998-02-28
Became Archbishop of Buenos Aires
Succeeded as head of the Archdiocese.
Episcopal Appointment
2001-02-21
2001-02-21
Created Cardinal
Elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
Cardinal Appointment
2013-03-13
2013-03-13
Elected Pope
Elected as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church.
Papal Election
2013-11-24
2013-11-24
First Apostolic Exhortation
Published Evangelii Gaudium, outlining his vision for the papacy.
Publication
2015-05-24
2015-05-24
Encyclical Laudato si'
Published an encyclical on care for our common home.
Publication
Photos
Photos
The Inauguration Mass For Pope Francis
"The Inauguration Mass For Pope Francis" by Catholic Church (England and Wales) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/.