Francis, a pope of firsts

Pope Francis I born in Buenos Aires, the city of which he will become archbishop, December 17, 1936, into a family of Piedmontese origin. He graduated as a chemical engineer and entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. Pope Francis studied humanities in Chile and in philosophy and theology in Argentina.

                                       

He was the professor and the dean of the college and at the same time Pastor Patriarch of San José, in the diocese of San Miguel.

In 1986 he completed his PhD thesis Germany. In 1992, John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, in 1997 he became assistant and a year later took over from Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, for six years, until 2011 he was president of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina.

Has never driven a blue car. In Buenos Aires he uses the subway. Even in Rome, moving on foot or by public transport. Those who know him consider him a true man of God: the first thing he asks you, always, is to pray for him.

Pope Francis chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi because he is a lover of the poor, said Vatican deputy spokesman Thomas Rosica. The name symbolizes "poverty, humility, simplicity and rebuilding the Catholic Church''

"Cardinal Bergoglio had a special place in his heart and his ministry for the poor, for the disenfranchised, for those living on the fringes and facing injustice," Rosica said.

St. Francis, one of the most venerated figures in the Roman Catholic Church, was known for connecting with fellow Christians, Rosica added.