- Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technician and nightclub bouncer before entering the seminary.
- He chose his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.
- Francis is the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European Pope since Pope Gregory III in 741, 1272 years earlier.
- Francis is the first Jesuit Pope. What is a Jesuit? Founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola who had a military background and still today members must show a willingness to accept orders anywhere in the world and live in extreme conditions. Jesuits are known for their work in education, academic research and for their missionary efforts.
- Pope Francis has been noted for his humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to dialogue as a way to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths.
- The first prayer Pope Francis lead in the Vatican was the Our Father. A sign of united Christians around the world.
- In 2001 he washed and kissed the feet of Aids patients in a hospice
- •He has criticised priests who refuse to baptise babies born to single mothers.