Pope Francis Election: Key Facts & Insights | Vatican History
Could the election of a Pope, a leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide, really have been a matter of such unexpected twists and turns? The election of Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was a watershed moment, a testament to the power of faith, and the unpredictable nature of history within the walls of the Vatican.
The selection of the 266th Bishop of Rome, a pivotal event in the Catholic Church, unfolded in the shadow of a historic first: the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Benedict XVI's decision, announced on February 11th, created a void, a period of uncertainty that necessitated the convening of a conclave, a gathering of cardinals to elect a new pontiff. The last conclave, before the one that selected Pope Francis, had been in 2013, a stark reminder of the infrequent yet critical nature of these events. The announcement triggered a flurry of media coverage, with faculty members appearing to discuss the implications of the Pope's resignation and the upcoming election.
The conclave itself, a process steeped in tradition and secrecy, began with a Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica. Cardinals, the electors, gathered, their every move under scrutiny. The world watched with bated breath as the cardinals, 117 of whom were eligible to vote, entered the Sistine Chapel, the heart of the process. It was here, in the hushed atmosphere, that the future of the Church would be decided. Of the 117 eligible cardinal electors, all but two attended the conclave to elect a successor to Benedict XVI.
The world was watching, the Church awaiting a new leader. Days turned into hours as the cardinals cast their ballots. It was a little more than 24 hours and five ballots after that. On the fifth ballot, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, emerged victorious. He was a man who, many observers felt, had come as an outsider.
After accepting the election, Cardinal Bergoglio took the name Francis, a nod to St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century saint revered for his humility and love for the poor, animals, and the environment. It was a name that immediately signaled a shift in tone, a new direction for the papacy. His choice was a declaration, a statement of intent that resonated across the globe, a man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation, as he stated.
The newly elected Pope Francis stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013, to greet the world. It was a moment of both solemnity and joy, a moment that would be etched in the collective memory. The world was listening as Pope Francis addressed the world for the first time. The central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican was the stage for this historic occasion.
Pope Francis's election was not without its own potential dramas. Reports suggest that there was a chance, back in the day, that if Bergoglio had been elected earlier, he might have refused the position. This right to refuse is an option for any newly elected Pope, according to canon law. But the reality is that he did not refuse. He accepted and took on the role of head of the Catholic Church.
Following the death or resignation of a pope, the Catholic Church elects a new pope through an election by cardinals. Pope Benedict XVI stepped down in February, and the election of his successor was crucial. The papacy itself dates back to the time of Jesus Christ and the papal conclave dates back to the 13th century.
The election of Pope Francis was a turning point, marking the first time a Latin American had ever ascended to the papacy. Born in Argentina, to Italian immigrants, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as he was then known, was a familiar figure to the people of Buenos Aires. Many knew him simply as Father Jorge.
Even before the election, those close to the process filled out official documents as the church prepared for the transition. The election of Pope Francis took place after five votes in the papal conclave in 2013, with Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina being elected. As the world celebrates his life, the church looks to the future. The reign of pope Francis is over.
Pope Francis's papacy was also marked by a particular emphasis on prayer. He made requesting prayers a hallmark of his papacy, a standard way to end a letter or speech. People across the globe joined in the recitation of the rosary for Pope Francis. After his election, he chose a name that would become a symbol of his papacy.
The significance of Pope Francis's papacy is underscored by the fact that he is the first pope to resign since 1294. It has never been a standard event in the Catholic Church. Since the announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, faculty members have appeared in the media to discuss his resignation and the election of a new pope.
On April 21, 2025, the world mourned the death of Pope Francis. In the wake of this loss, the Catholic Church and the world look toward the future, with the memory of Pope Francis's life and legacy.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | April 21, 2025 |
| Nationality | Argentinian |
| Education | Master of Arts in Chemistry, Philosophical and Theological Studies |
| Religious Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
| Priesthood | Ordained December 13, 1969 |
| Episcopal Consecration | June 27, 1992 |
| Archbishop of Buenos Aires | 1998 2013 |
| Cardinal | Created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on February 21, 2001 |
| Election to Papacy | March 13, 2013 |
| Papal Name | Francis |
| Predecessor | Pope Benedict XVI |
| Successor | Position currently vacant, awaiting election of a new Pope |
| Notable Achievements |
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| Reference | Official Vatican Biography |
The election of Pope Francis, in 2013, was a pivotal moment, a moment when the world watched as history unfolded within the walls of the Vatican. It was a reminder that the process of electing a new pope is a complex dance of tradition, faith, and the will of the cardinals.
Pope Francis chose his name after St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century cleric celebrated as the patron saint of animals and the environment. The inspiration he took from the Pope was as the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation, as he stated. He was actually born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936, and was the first Latin American to assume the role.
The process of selecting a new pope, the conclave, is a testament to the enduring nature of the Catholic Church. The cardinals attend mass at St. Peter's Basilica before the start of the conclave.
The world had been waiting to see the new Pope step out on the balcony. The new Popes election on March 13, 2013, at the Vatican was a historic day. It was a moment of anticipation, marking a pivotal event in the history of the Catholic Church.
