Pope Francis Election: Timeline, Facts & Impact - [2013-2025]
Was it destiny, or a confluence of circumstances that led Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the papacy? On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected Pope Francis, marking a watershed moment in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.
Prior to his election, many in Buenos Aires knew the future pontiff simply as Father Jorge, as reported by NPR in 2013. This humble beginning belied the monumental role he was about to assume. The official documents were prepared, and the world waited with bated breath as the new Pope prepared to address them. It was from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican that Pope Francis delivered his first message to the world, a moment that would be etched in history.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | April 21, 2025, Vatican City |
| Papal Name | Francis |
| Elected Pope | March 13, 2013 |
| Predecessor | Pope Benedict XVI |
| Successor (as of article creation) | Pending Papal Conclave |
| Bishop of Rome (as of Election) | 266th |
| Prior Positions | Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1998-2013), Cardinal (2001) |
| Nationality | Argentinian |
| Order | Jesuit |
| Significant Actions & Initiatives | Laudato Si' (2015) Encyclical, Emphasis on unity and dialogue |
| Reference Website | Vatican.va Biography |
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected the 266th Pope, succeeding St. Peter, marking a historical moment for the Catholic Church. This pivotal decision occurred on the second day of the conclave, decided by the fifth ballot, following the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who cited health reasons. The process, known as the Papal Conclave, dates back to the 13th century, although the papacy itself can be traced back to the time of Jesus Christ.
He chose the name Francis, in homage to St. Francis of Assisi, the first pope to adopt this name. It is worth noting that, while he is referred to as Pope Francis, he is not known as Francis I. The announcement of his election was met with joy by thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square.
The election of Pope Francis on March 13, 2013, was the culmination of a swift conclave, with voting concluding after a day and a half. This rapid decision followed Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, which had occurred just two weeks prior, on February 28, 2013. As the 266th Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis stepped into his role, succeeding a long line of predecessors, the most recent being Benedict XVI.
These were the first photos of Pope Francis taken after his election, as he made his way toward the balcony of St. Peter's Square for his inaugural greeting as pontiff, a moment broadcast to the world.
Franciss election on March 13, 2013, ushered in a new era of leadership in the Roman Catholic Church. Before his election, the faithful in Buenos Aires knew him as Father Jorge. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he became the first pope from the Americas and the first from the Jesuit order, marking a shift in the Church's global representation and approach.
The choice of the name Francis was a deliberate act, reflecting his commitment to simplicity and service, following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. This marked a departure from the tradition. Upon his election, he was 76 years old.
The news was greeted with celebration by thousands in St. Peter's Square and around the globe. His election was a significant event, following the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the first pope to resign in roughly 600 years.
The previous longest conclave took nearly three years to elect Pope Gregory X in 1268. A papal conclave was held on March 12 and 13, 2013, to elect a new pope, with the absence of two of the 117 eligible cardinal electors. The conclave elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, on the fifth ballot. The voting took only two days to select the successor of Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in the same year.
Elected on March 13, 2013, he served as the 266th pope until his death on April 21, 2025. The College of Cardinals will now convene a papal conclave to choose Pope Francis's successor. Francis's election marked a turning point, as he became the first pope from the western hemisphere, the first from South America, and the first from the Jesuit order. His birth name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is now synonymous with a pontificate that has emphasized mercy and reform.
Pope Francis's legacy includes the papal encyclical Laudato Si' (2015), which addresses the climate crisis, and his efforts to promote unity between Catholics and non-Catholics, and his efforts to push for unity. His focus on reaching out to marginalized communities reflects his deep-seated commitment to social justice.
The election of Pope Francis marked a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church, and his papacy, lasting over a decade, will be remembered for its emphasis on reform, dialogue, and service.
From the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the newly elected Pope Francis addressed the world. The Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, elected as the Pope, took the papal name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
Francis assumed the papacy after being elected by 115 cardinals to replace Benedict XVI. The history of papal elections reveals patterns and precedents. Pope Urban VI in 1378 became the last pope elected from outside the college of cardinals. His successor, Pope Adrian VI, was the last elected in absentia, in 1522. The white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel in 2013 signaled a new chapter for the Church.
