Pope Francis Elected
On March 13, 2013, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the 266th Pope, taking the name Francis — the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. He succeeded Benedict XVI, who had resigned — the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years. Francis set a tone of humility, mercy, and social concern, washing the feet of prisoners, denouncing "the globalization of indifference," and issuing Laudato Si' (2015), a landmark encyclical on climate change and environmental stewardship.
- Year: 2013 CE
- Category: Biographical
