The first Pope of the Americas Jorge Mario Bergoglio hails from Argentina. The 76-year-old Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires is a prominent figure throughout the continent, yet remains a simple pastor who is deeply loved by his diocese, throughout which he has travelled extensively on the underground and by bus during the 15 years of his episcopal ministry.
He was elected Supreme Pontiff on 13 March 2013.
Some of the things I admire about him is his decision to live in an apartment and cook his own supper. He has always advised his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage and to keep their doors open to everyone
“My people are poor and I am one of them”
He was born in Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936, the son of Italian immigrants. His father Mario was an accountant employed by the railways and his mother Regina Sivori was a committed wife dedicated to raising their five children. He graduated as a chemical technician and then chose the path of the priesthood, entering the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto. On 11 March 1958 he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. He completed his studies of the humanities in Chile and returned to Argentina in 1963 to graduate with a degree in philosophy from the Colegio de San José in San Miguel. From 1964 to 1965 he taught literature and psychology at Immaculate Conception College in Santa Fé and in 1966 he taught the same subject at the Colegio del Salvatore in Buenos Aires. From 1967-70 he studied theology and obtained a degree from the Colegio of San José.
Pope Francis will celebrate his first Christmas as pontiff this year by giving personal gifts to the poor of Rome.
The Vatican has announced that 2,000 envelopes containing free public transport tickets and telephone cards will be distributed in the Italian capital in the next few days by nuns from the order of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who serve meals to the poor and the homeless.
The envelopes will also include a Christmas picture signed by the pope and a stamp from the Vatican's post office so that the recipient can also forward them to family or friends.
The gifts are expected to be handed out to people the pope has personally met since his election in March as well as others in need.
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