Name, age … 14 questions about Pope Francis
Why is it not called “Pope Francis 1er”?
We don’t say ” François Ier Because there have been no other Pope Francis yet.
In the papal tradition, the Ordinal number (Ier, II, III, etc.) is only added when a successor takes the same name. For example, Jean-Paul Ier Added “1st” because the use wanted him to give way to a possible “Jean-Paul II”-which happened soon after with Karol Wojtyła.
So if one day another pope chooses the name François IIthen François current will retrospectively become François Ier. But as long as he is the only one, it is simply called Pope Francis.
What is the country of origin of Pope Francis and where does his youth spend?
Pope Francis is of Argentine nationality. Jorge Mario Bergoglio is born in Buenos Aires, the capital of the‘Argentina. He is the first pope who comes from the Americas.
What job was Pope Francis when he was young?
Before becoming a priest, Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) worked as chemical technician. He studied and obtained a diploma in chemical technician In a technical school in Argentina and briefly exercised this profession in a laboratory.
Is Pope Francis the first Jesuit pope?
Yes, Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope in history. Before his election in 2013, he was a member of the Company of Jesusa religious order founded in the 16th century by Ignatius of Loyola. The Jesuits are known for their commitment to strict education, mission and spiritual discipline.
Traditionally, the Jesuits were not intended to occupy high positions in the ecclesiastical hierarchy, preferring to devote themselves to service and teaching. The election of Pope Francis therefore marked a break with this tradition and a first in the history of the Catholic Church.
How old is Pope Francis and what is his date of birth?
Pope Francis was born on December 17, 1936. At the end of 2024, the sovereign pontiff therefore celebrated his 88 years old.
Since when has Jorge Mario Bergoglio Pope?
After the renunciation of Benedict XVI, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is elected pope on March 13, 2013after two days of conclave, in the Vatican, and only five towers of elections. He therefore became the 266th successor of Pierre. In 2023, the Holy Father celebrated its ten years of pontificate. The year 2025 will mark the 12th year of pontificate of Pope Francis.
What is Pope Francis’ salary?
As head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis does not receive wages. All of his needs are supported by the Vatican, including accommodation, food, travel and safety. He therefore does not need remuneration. However, he has access to the resources of the Holy See for his activities and works of charity.
Moreover, Pope Francis even eliminated certain financial advantages for the cardinals and reduces the expenses of the Vatican to promote greater simplicity and economic transparency.
Who was Pope before François?
Pope Francis succeeds Benoît XVI. On February 11, 2013, Joseph Ratzinger had given up his pontifical charge, an unprecedented situation that had not taken place for seven centuries. The German pope resigned from his pontificate due to health problems, and in particular because of terrible insomnia. Benoît XVI died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95. His funeral was celebrated on Thursday, January 5, 2023, in Saint-Pierre de Rome.
What suffers from Pope Francis?
Weakened by his age, Pope Francis suffers from several ailments. On June 7, 2023, in the aftermath of control exams, the Holy Father was urgently brought to the Gemelli hospital in Rome, to be operated on due to a risk of intestinal occlusion.
He had already been hospitalized, in the same place, from Wednesday March 29 to Saturday April 1, 2023 for a respiratory problem, and in July 2021, for a colon operation.
In July 2022, the Sovereign Pontiff postponed his trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan due to knee pain. Since May 2022, Pope Francis has been Forced to move in a wheelchair because of these strong knee pain.
Pope Francis, 88, is Hospitalized since Friday, February 14, 2025 Due to a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, resulting in a “complex” clinical situation and requiring a modification of its treatment.
Where does Pope Francis live?
In principle, the popes live in the apostolic palace, overhanging Place Saint-Pierre. However, from his election, Pope Francis has chosen to settle in the Sainte-Marthe residence Near the Saint-Pierre Basilica,, intended for cardinals during the conclaves, for the sake of simplicity.
France, Belgium, Canada … Where has the pope traveled in recent years?
Pope Francis travels enormously. Since his election in March 2013, He carried out 41 Apostolic trips. In 2023, he went to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, Hungary, Portugal for the World Youth Days (WYD) in Lisbon and Mongolia. He also went to Marseille, in September 2023, to conclude the Mediterranean meetings.
Pope Francis made a historic visit In Corsica on December 15, 2024. In Ajaccio, he participated in a conference on popular religiosity in the Mediterranean and celebrated an outdoor mass in front of thousands of faithful. This visit was largely organized thanks to the efforts of Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, bishop of Ajaccio, who maintains close links with the Pope.
Who will succeed Pope Francis?
No one is yet designated to succeed Pope Francis. To his death or resignation, the cardinals will meet at the Vatican to vote during a conclave. According to the laws of the Church, it is not necessary to be cardinal to be elected, it is enough to be a man baptized and adult.
However, some cardinals are foreseen as potential new popes. On September 30, 2023, Pope Francis promoted 21 cardinals from four continents, 18 of which will participate in the conclave during his succession. Two French people are among the new entrants: the bishop of Ajaccio, Mgr François Bustillo, 54, a Franciscan of Spanish origin, and Christophe Pierre, 77, current apostolic nonce in the United States.
