In brief
In March 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio made history by becoming the first South American and non-European pope, marking a transformative era for the Vatican.
In March 2013, a significant shift occurred in the Roman Catholic Church when Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis, becoming the 266th pontiff. His appointment was historic, not only as the first pope from South America but also as the first non-European leader in over 1,200 years, and the first Jesuit to hold the papacy. At the age of 76, Francis' election reflected a conscious decision by the cardinals, signalling the church's progressively oriented focus towards the global south, where the majority of Catholics reside. Born to Italian immigrant parents in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was celebrated for his humility, advocacy for the underprivileged, and a lifestyle characterized by simplicity.Upon his ascension, Pope Francis faced a multitude of challenges confronting the church, such as dwindling numbers of clergy, the rise of evangelical movements in the Southern Hemisphere, a profound sexual abuse scandal that had eroded the church's moral legitimacy, and the complexities of Vatican governance.The papal conclave, which led to his election, was the culmination of vigorous discussions among cardinals keen on addressing the pressing issues the church was grappling with and establishing criteria for their new leader. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna emphasized the distinctive nature of the papacy, stating that the role transcends typical political leadership, positioning the pope as the spiritual figurehead of a vibrant community of believers. Rachel Donadio served as the Rome bureau chief between 2008 and 2013, offering insights into the transformative period for the Catholic Church.
