Elected Pope in March 2013, to lead over 1.3 billion Catholic believers globally, Argentina’s Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the first pope of South American descent.
The leader of the Church has had to handle issues of sexual abuse among the clergy, with some viewing him as a visionary of reform and others condemning him for his lack of toughness in upholding traditional values.
The Vatican’s statement said Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the 266th pope, known as Francis, passed away Monday April 21 at 7:35am, age 88. Over his papal tenure.
He was born on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A relentless champion of the impoverished, of migrants, of the damaged planet, of inter-religious harmony.
Pope Francis was the first Pope ever of non-European descent.