In brief
As the first non-European pope and a representative from the global south, Pope Francis' election marked a transformative moment for the Catholic Church in 2013.
In March 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentine cardinal, ascended to the papacy as Pope Francis, becoming the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His election not only marked a milestone as the first South American pope but also as the first non-European pontiff in over 1,200 years, as well as the first member of the Jesuit order to hold the position.The cardinals’ selection of the 76-year-old archbishop of Buenos Aires signified a pivotal shift highlighting the predominance of Catholics in the global south. Born to humble Italian immigrants, Pope Francis was celebrated for his advocacy for the poor and his commitment to a modest lifestyle in Buenos Aires.Upon taking office, he inherited numerous challenges, including a dearth of priests, rising competition from evangelical movements across the Southern Hemisphere, a sexual abuse scandal that eroded the Church's credibility in the West, and the complexities of Vatican governance. The conclave that led to his election was marked by urgent discussions among cardinals regarding the Catholic Church's future and the traits necessary for its next spiritual leader. As Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna articulated, the role of the pope transcends corporate leadership; it is fundamentally about spiritual guidance for a diverse and global community of believers. As we reflect on these transformative moments from over a decade ago, the implications of Pope Francis’ election continue to resonate within the Church and the broader society.
