Pope Francis

Date of Birth: December 17, 1936

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Biography

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, a position he has held since March 13, 2013. He is the first pope from the Americas, the first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years, and the first Jesuit pope. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he worked briefly as a chemical technician and nightclub bouncer before entering the seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. Elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2001 by Pope John Paul II, Bergoglio was known for his humility, doctrinal conservatism, and commitment to social justice. As pope, he has focused on issues like climate change, poverty, and the need for a more merciful and inclusive Church.

5 Interesting Facts about Pope Francis

1. Pope Francis is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and German.

2. He has only one lung; his right lung was partially removed during his youth due to an infection.

3. He is an avid supporter of the San Lorenzo de Almagro football club in Argentina.

4. Pope Francis chose his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.

5. He is known for his simple lifestyle, having opted to live in a modest guesthouse rather than the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Pope Francis

1. “Who am I to judge?”

2. “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”

3. “To change the world, we must be good to those who cannot repay us.”

4. “The Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems.”

5. “The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As the Pope, Francis does not accumulate personal wealth. The Vatican’s wealth is often estimated to be in the billions, but this is not attributed to him personally. Therefore, the concept of “net worth” does not apply in the conventional sense.