Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

On Dec. 13, 1969, he was ordained a priest of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits.

On May 20, 1992, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, and titular bishop of Auca.

He was ordained a bishop on June 27, 1992.

On June 3, 1997, he was appointed coadjutor bishop of Buenos Aires, and took over the archdiocese on Feb. 28, 1998.

On Feb. 21, 2001, he was elevated to cardinal and appointed cardinal-priest of the church of San Robert Bellarmine.