TIMELINE: Pope Francis’ life

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Pope Francis marks his 12th year as head of the Roman Catholic Church. Here's a look back at his journey.

Pope Francis or Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the head of the Roman Catholic Church and Vatican, marked the 12th year of his papacy on Thursday, March 13.

Here’s a look back at the pope’s journey — from his life before the papacy to his path to the Vatican and the critical moments of his leadership.

December 17, 1936

Jorge Mario Bergoglio is born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrants — Mario, a railway accountant, and Regina Sivori, a housewife. Jorge has four other siblings.

September 21, 1953

Francis realizes that he wants to become a priest. On his way to a “Students’ Day” celebration, he passes through the parish he normally attends and finds a priest he does not know. He feels the need to go to confession.

“After making my confession I felt something had changed. I was not the same. I had heard something like a voice, or a call. I was convinced that I should become a priest,” Francis later says in a speech at Saint Peter’s Square on May 18, 2013.

March 11, 1958

Bergoglio enters the novitiate of the Society of Jesus.

December 13, 1969

He is ordained a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano.

April 22, 1973 

Bergoglio makes his final profession with the Jesuits. 

July 31, 1973

He is appointed provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina, an office he held for six years.

May 20, 1992

Pope John Paul II appoints Bergoglio as titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires.

February 21, 2001

Bergoglio is appointed a cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

April 18-19 2005

Bergoglio participates in the conclave that elects Pope Benedict XVI.

March 13, 2013

Bergoglio makes history by being elected as the first pope from Latin America. He is also the first Jesuit to become the top leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He chooses the name Francis.

June 29, 2013

Francis releases his first encyclical — Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith). He says faith isn’t an “illusion” in the modern world, but a light for humanity’s future.

January 15, 2015

Pope Francis visits the Philippines as part of his Asian tour. Thousands of Filipinos welcome him.

In the four-day visit, he meets with survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Leyte. Papal events and mass are also held at the Manila Cathedral, the University of Santo Tomas, and the Mall of Asia Arena.

May 24, 2015

Pope Francis publishes Laudato Si’, an encyclical addressing environmental issues and climate change.

April 8, 2016

Pope Francis issues Amoris laetitia (The Joy of Love), a wide-ranging pronouncement on the Church’s approach to love, sex, and marriage.

February 4, 2019

In Abu Dhabi, Pope Francis signs the Document on Human Fraternity with Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb, promoting interfaith dialogue.

October 3, 2020

Pope Francis releases Fratelli Tutti, an encyclical on social friendship and unity.

March 5, 2021

Pope Francis becomes the first pope to visit Iraq, where it remains dangerous to be a Christian due to war, persecution, and threats from extremist groups like ISIS.

The Pope also visits Ur, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham, who is revered by Christians, Muslims, and Jews, and meets Iraq’s esteemed top Shi’ite Muslim cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

July 4, 2021

Francis undergoes colon surgery, marking his first hospital admission since becoming pope.

January 5, 2023

Pope Francis presides over the funeral Mass of his predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

June 7, 2023

Pope Francis undergoes another abdominal surgery at Gemelli Hospital.

December 23, 2023

In a historic ruling, Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples. A document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office says such blessings would not legitimize irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomes all.

February 14, 2025

Francis is admitted to Gemelli Hospital “for some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his treatment for bronchitis.” – with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com