Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at age 88. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, he served as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 2013 until his death, becoming the first Jesuit, first from the Americas, and first from the Southern Hemisphere to be elected Pope. Over his 12-year papacy he led a global institution of 1.3 billion Catholics and made environmental protection, poverty reduction, and interfaith dialogue the pillars of his ministry. His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si' remains widely regarded as the most significant papal statement on climate change in history. He was succeeded on May 8, 2025, by Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Francis at a Glance: Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Pope Francis |
| Date of Birth | December 17, 1936 |
| Age at Death | 88 |
| Birthplace | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Known For | 266th Pope · First Jesuit Pope · First from the Americas |
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Generation | Silent Generation |
Pope Francis's Age at Every Major Milestone
| Age | Year | Milestone |
| 32 | 1969 | Ordained as a Catholic priest in Buenos Aires |
| 44 | 1980 | Appointed Rector of the Colegio Máximo de San José |
| 61 | 1998 | Appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires |
| 76 | 2013 | Elected Pope on March 13, 2013 — first Jesuit and first from the Americas |
| 83 | 2020 | Led the global Catholic Church through the COVID-19 pandemic; held Easter Mass to empty St Peter's Square |
| 89 | 2025 | Launched a major reform of Vatican finances; expanded outreach in Africa and Asia |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Pope Francis in 2026?
A: Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at age 88. He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Q: When was Pope Francis elected?
A: Pope Francis was elected Pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was 76 years old at the time of his election.
Q: Is Pope Francis the first Jesuit Pope?
A: Yes. Pope Francis is the first member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) to be elected Pope, as well as the first Pope from the Americas and the first from the Southern Hemisphere.
Q: What is Pope Francis known for?
A: Pope Francis is known for his emphasis on mercy, poverty, environmentalism, and outreach to migrants. His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si' on climate change and his 2020 encyclical Laudato Deum are landmark Catholic documents on environmental theology.