Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio? All the questions you have about Pope Francis

What is Pope Francis’ country of origin?

Pope Francis is of Argentinian nationality. Jorge Mario Bergoglio is born in Buenos Aires, the capital of‘Argentina. He is the first pope to come from the Americas.

How old is Pope Francis?

Pope Francis was born on December 17, 1936. At the end of this year 2023, the sovereign pontiff will therefore celebrate his 87 years old.

How long has Jorge Mario Bergoglio been pope?

After the renunciation of Benedict XVI, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is elected pope March 13, 2013, after two days of conclave, at the Vatican, and only five rounds of voting. He therefore becomes the 265th successor of Peter. In 2023, the Holy Father celebrated ten years of his pontificate.

Who was pope before Francis?

Pope Francis succeeds Benedict XVI. On February 11, 2013, Joseph Ratzinger renounced his pontifical office, an unprecedented situation which had not occurred for seven centuries. The German pope resigned from his pontificate due to health problems, including terrible insomnia. Benedict XVI died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95. His funeral was celebrated on Thursday January 5, 2023, at Saint-Pierre in Rome.

What is Pope Francis suffering from?

Weakened by his age, Pope Francis suffers from several ailments. On June 7, 2023, the day after check-ups, the Holy Father was urgently taken to the Gemelli hospital in Rome to undergo surgery due to a risk of intestinal obstruction.

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 use a wheelchair because of severe knee pain.

Where does Pope Francis live?

In principle, the popes live in the apostolic palace, overlooking Saint Peter’s Square. However, upon his election, Pope Francis chose to settle in the Sainte-Marthe residence near St. Peter’s Basilica, intended for cardinals during conclaves, for the sake of simplicity.

Where has the Pope traveled this year?

Pope Francis travels a lot. Since his election in March 2013, he did 41 apostolic journeys. In 2023, he visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, Hungary, Portugal for World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon and Mongolia. He also went to Marseille, in September 2023, to conclude the Mediterranean Meetings.

Who will succeed Pope Francis?

No one has yet been appointed to succeed Pope Francis. Upon his death or resignation, cardinals will meet at the Vatican to vote during a conclave. According to the laws of the Church, it is not necessary to be a cardinal to be elected, it is enough to be a baptized and adult man.

However, some cardinals are being considered as potential new popes. On September 30, 2023, Pope Francis promoted 21 cardinals, from four continents, 18 of whom will participate in the conclave during his succession. Two French people are among the new arrivals: the bishop of Ajaccio, Mgr François Bustillo, 54, a Franciscan of Spanish origin, and Christophe Pierre, 77, current apostolic nuncio to the United States.