Resources from the USCCB

Pope Francis In Memoriam

On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, archbishop of Buenos Aires was elected in the conclave to become the first pope from the Americas. As the 265th successor to Saint Peter, he was the first pope to take the name of Francis, a name chosen in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi because he wanted “a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security." (Evangelii Gaudium, 49). Read his full biography on the on the Vatican website.

Coat of Arms

Pope Francis’ motto on his coat of arms, “miserando atque eligendo” is taken from a homily by Saint Bede, an English eighth-century Christian writer and doctor of the Church of the Gospel account of the call of Saint Matthew. It roughly translates to “having mercy, he called him.” Read more on the Vatican's website.

Quick Facts

Date of Birth - December 17, 1936

Country of Origin - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Area of Study - Humanities

Priesthood Ordination - December 13, 1969

Episcopal Ordination - February 28, 1998

Pontificate - 2013 to 2025

Personal Motto - Miserando atque eligendo (roughly translates to having mercy, he called him)

Pope Francis Biography | USCCB

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Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito’s Statement on Pope Francis’s Passing