Pope Francis passed away earlier today, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died at 7:35 a.m. CEST at his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. The Vatican confirmed his death in a video statement delivered by Cardinal Kevin Farrell .
1. Birth Name: Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
2. Date of Birth: He was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
3. First Jesuit Pope: He is the first Jesuit pope in the history of the Catholic Church.
4. First from the Americas: Pope Francis is the first pope from the Americas, and specifically South America.
5. First Non-European Pope in Over 1,200 Years: He is the first non-European pope since Syrian Pope Gregory III in the 8th century.
6. Former Chemist: Before becoming a priest, he studied chemistry and worked as a chemical technician.
7. Ordained a Priest in 1969: He was ordained to the priesthood on December 13, 1969.
8. Archbishop of Buenos Aires: He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.
9. Became Cardinal in 2001: Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal in 2001.
10. Elected Pope in 2013: He was elected as the 266th pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
11. Chose the Name Francis: He took the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, symbolizing humility and care for the poor.
12. Lives Simply: Pope Francis is known for his humble lifestyle—he chose not to live in the traditional papal apartments.
13. Rejects Luxury: He often wears simple papal garments and prefers a modest car.
14. Focus on the Poor: His papacy emphasizes care for the poor and marginalized.
15. Interfaith Dialogue: He actively promotes dialogue with other religions, including Islam and Judaism.
16. Concern for the Environment: His encyclical “Laudato Si'” (2015) addressed the climate crisis and the need for environmental protection.
17. Supports Refugees and Migrants: He consistently advocates for refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.
18. Speaks Several Languages: Pope Francis is fluent in Spanish, Italian, German, and Latin, and has knowledge of English and French.
19. Had One Lung: He had part of one lung removed as a teenager due to an infection.
20. Time’s Person of the Year 2013: He was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2013 for his global influence and compassion.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.