Life and times of Pope Francis Pope Francis’ coat of arms Dec 17, 1936: Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, son of Italian immigrants to Argentina 1958: Joins Jesuits after recovering from losing part of right lung during severe bout of pneumonia 1969: Ordained as priest 1973-79: Serves as head of Jesuit order during Argentina’s dictatorship amidst accusations of collusion, which Vatican has denied 1992: Appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires 1998: Named Archbishop of Buenos Aires (left) 2001: Appointed cardinal by Pope John Paul II Feb 28, 2013: Pope Benedict XVI (right) steps down due to health concerns – first pontiff to do so in six centuries Mar 13: Conclave of cardinals elects Bergoglio, 76, as 266th successor to St Peter, becoming first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years. He takes name Francis in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the poor Jul 8: Pope Francis makes first trip, choosing Italian island of Lampedusa to denounce “globalisation of indifference” to plight of migrants May 2015: Issues Laudato Si’ – influential encyclical calling for action on climate change and environmental protection Sep 2018: Announces first-ever agreement between China and Holy See over bishop appointments Sep: Visits U.S., becoming first pope to address Congress (right) Feb 2016: Meets Kirill I (below) in first-ever meeting between leaders of Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches Apr: In document on family life, Francis urges clergy to be more accepting of homosexuals, single parents and divorced Feb 2019: Visits Abu Dhabi for first-ever papal trip to Arabian peninsula and signs declaration of fraternity with Sunni Islam’s highest authority, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb (above) Francis convenes Vatican landmark summit on combatting child sex abuse within the Catholic church Mar 2020: Performs Urbi et Orbi blessing in deserted St. Peter’s Square to pray for end to Covid-19 pandemic Mar 2021: Makes first ever visit by pontiff to Iraq and meets Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, spiritual leader of millions of Shia Muslims Jul: Limits use of Latin in celebration of mass, provoking anger of conservative Catholics May 2022: Knee problems result in Pope requiring use of wheelchair Jul: Makes “penitential trip” to Canada to apologise to Indigenous survivors of abuse and for attempts at forced assimilation at church-run residential schools Jan 2023: Presides over funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Jun: Undergoes hernia operation, but carries on with trips to Portugal and first ever papal visit to Mongolia later in the year Oct: Allows women to vote at Synod of Bishops for first time Dec: Permits priests to bless same-sex couples under condition that blessings not be administered during rituals or liturgies Sep 2024: Makes longest trip of his tenure to Asia Pacific, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore Jan 2025: Francis appoints Sister Simona Brambilla (right) to head Vatican department overseeing religious orders – first woman to lead an office of Holy See Releases “Hope” – first ever memoir by sitting pope Feb 14: Admitted to hospital for bronchitis that develops into double pneumonia. He is discharged after five weeks Apr 21: Pope Francis, 88, dies one day after appearing in St. Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers © GRAPHIC NEWS Sources: Vatican, Encyclopedia Britannica, Reuters, BBC Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images