A major world spiritual leader, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the eldest of five children in a humble family of Italian immigrants. Raised in the working‑class neighborhood of Flores, he pursued technical training as a chemical technician before discerning a vocation to the priesthood. After completing his studies in philosophy in 1963, he was ordained in 1969 and soon became a leading figure within the Society of Jesus in Argentina.

In 1973, he was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in his country, where he emerged as a voice of spiritual depth and pastoral sensitivity during times of social upheaval. Elevated to auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992, and then archbishop in 1998, Bergoglio was known for his humility, deep concern for the poor, and simple lifestyle. He was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

On March 13, 2013, he was elected the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church—the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first to take the name Francis, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. His papacy was marked by a call to mercy, environmental stewardship, interfaith dialogue, and solidarity with the marginalized. In 2025, his twelfth year as pontiff, he proclaimed a Jubilee Year with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” inviting the world to a renewed journey of reconciliation and faith. This book heralds that theme.

Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, reform, and hope.