Pope Francis: An epitome of compassion, humility, service, unwavering faith

Compassionate, humble, inspiring, peace-loving, and steadfast in faith.

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These are but a sample of who Pope Francis was. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 17, 1936, Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. As the first Latin American pontiff, he redefined the papacy with a profound commitment to the poor, the marginalized, and the pursuit of peace.

From the moment he assumed the papacy in March 2013 as the 266th pope, Francis emphasized the centrality of mercy in the Christian faith. He reminded us that God desires the salvation of all people, urging the faithful to transcend divisions and embrace a universal call to salvation. His apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, challenged the Church to embark on a new chapter of evangelism, focusing on the proclamation of the Gospel in today's world. He envisioned a Church that is “permanently in a state of mission,” reaching out to those in need and living out the joy of the Gospel.