(1936-2025)

Pope Francis, 265th Successor of Saint Peter

On 13 March 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected as the 266^th Pope, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI after his resignation. Born on 17 December 1936, in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis became a Jesuit priest in 1969 and was later appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope John Paul II in 2001, and also served as President of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference from 2005 to 2011.

Pope Francis was known throughout his papacy for his humility and bridge-building, commitment to social justice, and focus on interfaith dialogue. The Pope emphasized mercy, compassion, and care for the poor and marginalized. Pope Francis made an Apostolic Visit to Canada in 2022, as a penitential pilgrimage, to continue walking together in truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

On April 21 2025, Pope Francis passed away.