Pope Francis Biography: Age, Death, and Successor

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis served as the 265th successor of St. Peter from 13 March 2013 until his death on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, at age 88. This biography addresses the most common public queries about his identity, death, and legacy, drawing on official Vatican records and major news sources.

Last checked: 2026-07-23

Name: Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) · Born: December 17, 1936, Buenos Aires, Argentina · Died: April 21, 2025, Vatican City (Easter Monday) · Papacy: 13 March 2013 – 21 April 2025

What was Pope Francis’ real name and where was he born?

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. His full Spanish name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio. The Vatican’s official biography lists his birth date and place precisely. (Vatican official biography)

He entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) as a novice in 1958 and was ordained a priest on 13 December 1969, beginning his clerical career within the Jesuit order rather than the diocesan priesthood. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

He was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II on 21 February 2001. (Wikipedia)

The bottom line: Pope Francis’ roots in Argentina and his Jesuit formation shaped a papacy that broke centuries of European tradition.

How old was Pope Francis when he died?

Pope Francis was 88 years old at the time of his death on 21 April 2025. He was born on 17 December 1936, making his age at death 88 years, 4 months, and 4 days. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops records his lifespan as 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025. (USCCB)

Multiple outlets, including BBC News, NBC News, NPR and USA Today, independently reported his age at death as 88. (BBC News death report)

The pattern: At 88, Francis lived longer than many recent popes; only Pope Leo XIII (93) and Pope John Paul II (84) among modern pontiffs reached similar ages.

What was Pope Francis’ cause of death?

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, at 07:35 CEST at his residence Domus Sanctae Marthae (Casa Santa Marta) in Vatican City. The official cause of death, as recorded on the Vatican death certificate, was a cerebral stroke followed by irreversible cardiac arrest (heart failure), after a period of respiratory illness earlier in 2025. (Wikipedia – Death and funeral of Pope Francis)

Reuters confirmed that the Vatican attributed Francis’ death to a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiac collapse. (Reuters)

“According to the death certificate issued by Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli, Francis succumbed to a stroke and irreversible cardiac arrest.” – Reuters

— Reuters

What this means: The cause of death is consistently reported across authoritative sources, with no significant discrepancies.

Who is Pope Francis’ successor?

As of the date of Pope Francis’ death (21 April 2025), a successor had not yet been elected. The conclave to choose the next pope convened in early May 2025, and on 8 May 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the 266th pope. (Simple English Wikipedia)

Pope Leo XIV, formerly the Archbishop of Chicago, is the first American pope in history. The interregnum between Francis’ death and the election of Leo XIV lasted 17 days. (Wikipedia)

What to watch: The transition from Francis’ reform‑oriented papacy to Leo XIV’s leadership will be closely observed for changes in Vatican governance and social teaching.

What was Pope Francis’ first job?

Before entering the priesthood, Jorge Mario Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technician after graduating from secondary school. His first full‑time role was as a security guard and then as a laboratory assistant in a chemical factory in Buenos Aires. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

He entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1958 at age 21, leaving secular work behind. His first assignment within the Society of Jesus was teaching literature and psychology at a Jesuit college in Santa Fe. (Vatican official biography)

The implication: Francis’ early experience in the working world informed his lifelong emphasis on the dignity of labor and his advocacy for the poor.