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Clarification: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified a lung surgery Bergoglio had when he was young. The Vatican clarified the operation removed part of one lung.
Birth, education and priesthood
  • Born: Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Education: Studied at Theological Faculty of San Miguel. Received licentiate in philosophy.
  • Ordained for the Jesuits on Dec. 13, 1969. No Jesuit priest has ever served as pontiff.
  • Languages: Besides his native Spanish, Bergoglio also speaks Italian and German.

Becomes a bishop
  • Ordained titular bishop of Auca and auxiliary of Buenos Aires on June 27, 1992.
  • Became archbishop of Buenos Aires on Feb. 28, 1998.
  • Received title ordinary for the Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an ordinary in their own rite on Nov. 30, 1998.


Becomes a cardinal
  • Proclaimed cardinal by Pope John Paul II on Feb. 21, 2001.
  • Participated in conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
  • Served as president of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from November 2005 to November 2011.
  • Reportedly received the second-most votes after Joseph Ratzinger in the 2005 papal election.

Interesting facts, comments
  • Bergoglio never lived in the ornate church mansion in Buenos Aires, preferring a simple bed in a downtown room heated by a small stove. For years, he took public transportation around the city.
  • When Bergoglio argued that gay adoptions discriminate against children, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez compared his tone to "medieval times and the Inquisition."
  • Critics accuse him of failing to stand up publicly against the country's military dictatorship from 1976-1983, when victims and their relatives often brought first-hand accounts of torture, death and kidnappings.
  • Had part of one lung removed when he was young, according to the Vatican.

Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.  (Photo: Luca Bruno, AP)
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Argentine women scream in St. Peter's Square as they listen to the announcement that the newly elected pope is Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina.
Argentine women scream in St. Peter's Square as they listen to the announcement that the newly elected pope is Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina.  (Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images)
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Argentina's Jorge Bergoglio, elected Pope Francis waves from the window of St. Peter's Basilica's balcony after being elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Argentina's Jorge Bergoglio, elected Pope Francis waves from the window of St. Peter's Basilica's balcony after being elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.  (Photo: Vincenzo Pinto, AFP/Getty Images)
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A woman waves a U.S. flag as she celebrates near St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
A woman waves a U.S. flag as she celebrates near St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.  (Photo: Dan Kitwood, Getty Images)
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Newly elected Pope Francis appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
Newly elected Pope Francis appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.  (Photo: L'Osservatore Romano via Getty Images)
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The crowd reacts as Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
The crowd reacts as Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.  (Photo: Emilio Morenatti, AP)
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Payton Kovanda, Grace Thomas and Becky Barjas, left to right, wait for the televised appearance of Pope Francis while watching with other second-graders at St. Paul Catholic school in Valparaiso, Ind.
Payton Kovanda, Grace Thomas and Becky Barjas, left to right, wait for the televised appearance of Pope Francis while watching with other second-graders at St. Paul Catholic school in Valparaiso, Ind.  (Photo: Andy Lavalley, AP)
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A crowd gathers in St. Peter's Square on the second day of the conclave in Vatican City.
A crowd gathers in St. Peter's Square on the second day of the conclave in Vatican City.  (Photo: Jeff J. Mitchell, Getty Images)
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Pope Francis and some cardinals pray from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
Pope Francis and some cardinals pray from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.  (Photo: Luca Bruno, AP)
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Faithful react after the announcement that their Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis, at Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires.
Faithful react after the announcement that their Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis, at Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires.  (Photo: Juan Mabromata, AFP/Getty Images)
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People stand in St. Peter's Square as they listen to newly elected Pope Francis, the former cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina.
People stand in St. Peter's Square as they listen to newly elected Pope Francis, the former cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina.  (Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images)
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Women in Buenos Aires react after hearing on the speakers at the Metropolitan Cathedral that their Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio was chosen as the new pope.
Women in Buenos Aires react after hearing on the speakers at the Metropolitan Cathedral that their Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio was chosen as the new pope.  (Photo: Victor R. Caivano, AP)
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Pope Francis appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on March 13 in Vatican City. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th pontiff, the first from the Americas.
Pope Francis appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on March 13 in Vatican City. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th pontiff, the first from the Americas.  (Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images)
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Pope Francis addresses the crowd after the announcement from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
Pope Francis addresses the crowd after the announcement from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.  (Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images)
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White smoke, a sign that cardinals have elected a new pope, emerges from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.
White smoke, a sign that cardinals have elected a new pope, emerges from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.  (Photo: Gregorio Borgia, AP)
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Thousands of people cheer as white smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
Thousands of people cheer as white smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.  (Photo: Alberto Pilozzi, AFP/Getty Images)
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White smoke billows from the chimney.
White smoke billows from the chimney.  (Photo: Jeff J. Mitchell, Getty Images)
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Crowds cheer as white smoke appears from a chimney on the Sistine Chapel.
Crowds cheer as white smoke appears from a chimney on the Sistine Chapel.  (Photo: Dmitry Lovetsky, AP)
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People on St. Peter's Square watch as white smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel.
People on St. Peter's Square watch as white smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel.  (Photo: Tiziana Fabi, AFP/Getty Images)
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People celebrate the selection of a new pope on St. Peter's Square.
People celebrate the selection of a new pope on St. Peter's Square.  (Photo: Filippo Monteforte, AFP/Getty Images)
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Women celebrate the selection of a new pope.
Women celebrate the selection of a new pope.  (Photo: Dmitry Lovetsky, AP)
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White smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. The 115 voting cardinals took five votes over two days to reach their decision, which required a two-thirds majority.
White smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. The 115 voting cardinals took five votes over two days to reach their decision, which required a two-thirds majority.  (Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images)
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Black smoke billows from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel after the College of Cardinals failed to elect a new pope during morning voting in Vatican City. A conclave of cardinals is choosing a successor to Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Black smoke billows from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel after the College of Cardinals failed to elect a new pope during morning voting in Vatican City. A conclave of cardinals is choosing a successor to Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.  (Photo: Dan Kitwood, Getty Images)
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Nuns wait for the chimney smoke in St. Peter's Square on the second day of the conclave to elect a new pope. Seventy-seven of the 115 cardinals must write down the same name to elect one of their members as the 266th pontiff.
Nuns wait for the chimney smoke in St. Peter's Square on the second day of the conclave to elect a new pope. Seventy-seven of the 115 cardinals must write down the same name to elect one of their members as the 266th pontiff.  (Photo: Oded Balilty, AP)
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People shelter under umbrellas while they wait in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
People shelter under umbrellas while they wait in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.  (Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images)
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A woman holds a rosary as she watches a chimney. White smoke will signal that a decision has been made.
A woman holds a rosary as she watches a chimney. White smoke will signal that a decision has been made.  (Photo: Johannes Eisele, AFP/Getty Images)
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A woman looks at a chimney as she waits for a release of smoke.
A woman looks at a chimney as she waits for a release of smoke.  (Photo: Alberto Pizzoli, AFP/Getty Images)
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Black smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that no decision has been reached during balloting on the second day of voting.
Black smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that no decision has been reached during balloting on the second day of voting.  (Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images)
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People react to a release of black smoke at St Peter's Square.
People react to a release of black smoke at St Peter's Square.  (Photo: Johannes Eisele, AFP/Getty Images)
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A woman holds a rosary and prays.
A woman holds a rosary and prays.  (Photo: Oded Balilty, AP)
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A woman prays as she waits for a release of smoke at the Vatican.
A woman prays as she waits for a release of smoke at the Vatican.  (Photo: Gabriel Bouys, AFP/Getty Images)
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Nuns pray on St. Peter's Square on March 13.
Nuns pray on St. Peter's Square on March 13.  (Photo: Gabriel Bouys, AFP/Getty Images)
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Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

    Replay
    • Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
    • Argentine women scream in St. Peter's Square as they listen to the announcement that the newly elected pope is Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina.
    • Argentina's Jorge Bergoglio, elected Pope Francis waves from the window of St. Peter's Basilica's balcony after being elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
    • A woman waves a U.S. flag as she celebrates near St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
    • Newly elected Pope Francis appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
    • The crowd reacts as Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
    • Payton Kovanda, Grace Thomas and Becky Barjas, left to right, wait for the televised appearance of Pope Francis while watching with other second-graders at St. Paul Catholic school in Valparaiso, Ind.
    • A crowd gathers in St. Peter's Square on the second day of the conclave in Vatican City.
    • Pope Francis and some cardinals pray from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
    • Faithful react after the announcement that their Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis, at Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires.
    • People stand in St. Peter's Square as they listen to newly elected Pope Francis, the former cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina.
    • Women in Buenos Aires react after hearing on the speakers at the Metropolitan Cathedral that their Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio was chosen as the new pope.
    • Pope Francis appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on March 13 in Vatican City. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th pontiff, the first from the Americas.
    • Pope Francis addresses the crowd after the announcement from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
    • White smoke, a sign that cardinals have elected a new pope, emerges from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.
    • Thousands of people cheer as white smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
    • White smoke billows from the chimney.
    • Crowds cheer as white smoke appears from a chimney on the Sistine Chapel.
    • People on St. Peter's Square watch as white smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel.
    • People celebrate the selection of a new pope on St. Peter's Square.
    • Women celebrate the selection of a new pope.
    • White smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. The 115 voting cardinals took five votes over two days to reach their decision, which required a two-thirds majority.
    • Black smoke billows from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel after the College of Cardinals failed to elect a new pope during morning voting in Vatican City. A conclave of cardinals is choosing a successor to Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
    • Nuns wait for the chimney smoke in St. Peter's Square on the second day of the conclave to elect a new pope. Seventy-seven of the 115 cardinals must write down the same name to elect one of their members as the 266th pontiff.
    • People shelter under umbrellas while they wait in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
    • A woman holds a rosary as she watches a chimney. White smoke will signal that a decision has been made.
    • A woman looks at a chimney as she waits for a release of smoke.
    • Black smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that no decision has been reached during balloting on the second day of voting.
    • People react to a release of black smoke at St Peter's Square.
    • A woman holds a rosary and prays.
    • A woman prays as she waits for a release of smoke at the Vatican.
    • Nuns pray on St. Peter's Square on March 13.
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