Pope Francis

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, ascended to the papacy on March 13, 2013. As the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, he is known for his focus on humility, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. His encyclical "Laudato Si'" (2015) addresses environmental issues and calls for global action against climate change. In 2016, he instituted the World Day of the Poor to highlight the plight of the underprivileged. Francis also played a pivotal role in facilitating the thaw in relations between the United States and Cuba. His leadership style emphasizes simplicity and compassion, distinguishing him in the modern papacy.