Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pope from Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church. His upbringing in a working-class immigrant family shaped his deep empathy for the poor and marginalized. After joining the Jesuits in 1958, he was ordained a priest in 1969 and became the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina in 1973, later serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires before being made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Benedict XVI. His election was historic, not only for his origins but also for his humble style and commitment to social justice. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, reflecting his focus on humility and care for the poor. From the outset, Francis was known for rejecting many papal luxuries, choosing instead to live in the Vatican guest house and often using public transportation during his time in Argentina.

Throughout his papacy, Francis emphasized mercy, compassion, and outreach over doctrinal rigidity. He prioritized addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental issues, and was recognized for his informal approach and accessibility. His leadership style was marked by a willingness to speak out against hypocrisy within the Church and to encourage clergy to stay close to the people they serve, famously urging priests to have the "smell of the sheep".

While Francis was praised for modernizing the Church’s approach and making it more inclusive, he maintained traditional stances on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and the ordination of women. His papacy was seen as symbolically transformative, highlighting the growing importance of the Global South in Catholicism, even as he navigated the balance between tradition and reform.