Pope Francis Life Timeline: From Buenos Aires to Rome

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Pope Francis Life Timeline: From Buenos Aires to Rome/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ From his birth in Buenos Aires to becoming the first Latin American pope, Pope Francis’ life was marked by spiritual dedication, reform, and advocacy for the marginalized. His papacy included historic firsts, global outreach, and efforts to reshape the Catholic Church. His death on April 21, 2025, closed a transformative chapter in Vatican history.

FILE – Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. Listening behind the pope are then Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, file)

FILE – Pope Francis prays at Israel’s separation barrier on his way to a Mass in Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Sunday, May 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, file)

Pope Francis Life Timeline – Key Milestones from Argentina to the Vatican

1936: Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1969: Ordained as a Jesuit priest during Argentina’s political upheaval.
1998: Appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
2001: Made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
2013: Elected pope, first from Latin America and first Jesuit.
2015-2018: Issued major reforms and environmental manifesto Laudato Si.
2019-2023: Oversaw Vatican legal reforms and global pastoral trips.
2024: Celebrated Mass in East Timor with 600,000 in attendance.
2025: Delivered final blessing on Easter, died April 21 at age 88.

FILE – Pope Francis greets Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar, after an Interreligious meeting at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, file)

Francis and Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, sign a joint declaration in Cairo in April 2017. Francis was on a two-day trip to Egypt to forge Muslim-Christian brotherhood and show solidarity with the country’s persecuted Coptic Christian minority.

Deep Look: A Chronological Journey Through the Life of Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, lived a life shaped by faith, humility, and a mission to serve those on the margins. From his humble beginnings in Buenos Aires to his historic papacy, his journey left a lasting impact on the Catholic Church and the world. Below is a comprehensive timeline of key milestones in his life and service.

Early Life and Vocation

Dec. 17, 1936: Jorge Mario Bergoglio is born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the first of five children.
Dec. 13, 1969: Ordained as a Jesuit priest. Later becomes the Jesuit provincial leader during Argentina’s military dictatorship.

Rise Within the Church

May 20, 1992: Named auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires.
1998: Succeeds Cardinal Antonio Quarracino as archbishop of the Argentine capital.
Feb. 21, 2001: Elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

Road to the Papacy

May 2007: Contributes to the Aparecida Document in Brazil, highlighting the Church’s role with the poor and Indigenous people.
March 13, 2013: Elected the 266th pope. Becomes the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit, and the first to take the name Francis.

Early Papal Actions

April 13, 2013: Creates a group of eight cardinals to advise on Church reform.
July 8, 2013: Visits Lampedusa to highlight the plight of migrants.
July 30, 2013: When asked about a gay priest, responds, “Who am I to judge?”

Major Encyclicals and Outreach

Nov. 26, 2013: Issues Evangelii Gaudium, setting his papal agenda focused on the poor and excluded.
June 18, 2015: Publishes Laudato Si, a groundbreaking encyclical on climate and economic injustice.
Sept. 24, 2015: Addresses the U.S. Congress, advocating for climate action, immigration reform, and poverty reduction.

Diplomatic and Religious Firsts

Feb. 12, 2016: Meets Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Havana — a first in over 1,000 years.
Feb. 18, 2016: Criticizes Donald Trump’s border wall plans, calling them un-Christian.
April 16, 2016: Brings 12 Syrian refugees from Lesbos to Rome.
Oct. 14, 2018: Canonizes Óscar Romero after years of delay.

Sexual Abuse and Vatican Reform

Jan. 19, 2018: Mishandles Chilean abuse allegations but later admits grave errors.
Feb. 21, 2019: Opens a Vatican summit on clergy abuse.
Dec. 17, 2019: Abolishes “pontifical secret” to improve abuse case transparency.
Feb. 16, 2019: Defrocks former Cardinal McCarrick for sexual misconduct.

Modernization and Inclusion

April 8, 2016: Opens path to Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics in Amoris Laetitia.
Feb. 4, 2019: Signs “Human Fraternity” agreement with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.
Dec. 19, 2023: Approves blessings for same-sex couples — not equivalent to marriage.

Health Challenges and Later Years

July 4, 2021: Undergoes intestinal surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
March 29, 2023: Hospitalized for respiratory infection.
June 7, 2023: Surgery to treat hernia and intestinal scar tissue.
Oct. 4, 2023: Opens synod allowing women to vote alongside bishops.
Nov. 28, 2023: Cancels Dubai trip due to bronchitis; releases Laudate Deum, a follow-up on climate urgency.

Final Acts and Death

Dec. 26, 2024: Opens the Holy Door at Rome’s Rebibbia prison for the Jubilee Year 2025.
Jan. 16, 2025: Appears with bruises after a fall; signs of declining health.
Feb. 14, 2025: Hospitalized with double pneumonia and complications from bronchitis.
March 13, 2025: Spends 12th papal anniversary in hospital.
April 17, 2025: Visits Rome’s Regina Caeli prison for Holy Thursday, a tradition of humility.
April 20, 2025: Delivers Easter “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from St. Peter’s loggia. Rides the popemobile in what becomes his final public appearance.
April 21, 2025: Dies at 7:35 a.m., announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.