Vatican City: Pope Francis celebrated his 83rd birthday today. The real name of Pope Francis is George Mario Bergoglio, the most influential leader in the world who stands on the side of the poor. Pope Francis is the first Pope to be elected from the American continent as head of the Catholic Church and the first to be named Pope Francis.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. His father, Mario Hosea, was an accountant on the railroad and his mother, Regina Sivori, a housewife. Pope Francis’ parents emigrated from Italy to Argentina. He had a large family of four siblings and parents.
George Mario graduated in chemistry on March 11, 1958, and began his studies as a clergyman. Returning to Argentina in 1963, he completed his degree in Philosophy from San Jose College, San Miguel. He spent the next two years studying literature.
On 13 December 1969, George Mario Bergoglio received the Holy Apostle from the hands of Archbishop Ramon Jose Castilano. He continued his studies as a clergyman and returned to Spain in 1970 for training and study. Returning to Argentina after three years, George Mario began teaching seminary students, theology and philosophy. He was in charge of the new seminary students.
On July 31, 1973, George Bergoglio was elected provincial of the Jesuit Monastery of Argentina. He was rector of San Jose College, San Miguel, and was a clergyman in the local church. George Mario went to Germany in March 1986 to complete his PhD. After completing his studies, he served as the spiritual chairman of the city of Colorado City. He was also in charge of the nearby Jesuit Church.
At the request of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Antonio Quaracino, Pope John Paul II decided to make George Bergoglio the Bishop. On May 20, 1992, the church issued an order to make George Bergoglio ‘bishop. He was ordained bishop on May 27 and was appointed assistant bishop of Buenos Aires and the bishop of Ica diocese.
On June 3, 1997, George Bergoglio was promoted to assistant archbishop. Nine months later, George Bergoli was elected Archbishop of Buenos Aires, following the tenure of his predecessor, Cardinal Antonio Quarrazino. He was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires on February 28, 1998, and was also responsible for the worship service of the Eastern Churches of Argentina.
George Bergoglio was living in Buenos Aires when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. ‘The people I lead are poor. Therefore, I have to go down to them to understand their plight. These are the words of the ‘Archbishop of Buenos Aires’ to indicate his modesty.
On February 21, 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated George Bergoli to the rank of Cardinal. He called upon the good example of the Good Shepherd to give to the poor the cost of believers coming to Rome to witness the Cardinal’s ceremonies.
After becoming Cardinal, Bergoli was elected General Relator of the Synod of Bishops. George Bergoglio also attended the 2005 Conclave, following the demise of John Paul II. On February 11, 2013, Benedict XVI announced his oath of office. In the Conclave, in March 2013, Argentina’s Cardinal Giorgio Mario Bergoglio was chosen as the 266th Pope in Church History.
During his tenure as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he lived by cooking his own meals in a rented apartment. The Pope’s official residence is the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. Peter’s successor, however, lives in a two-room apartment building in Santa Marta. Pope Francis has shown us in his life-style that the words modesty and simplicity are not old.
