From Nightclub bouncer to priesthood: Pope Francis' career, life, and more explored 

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The first member of his family immigrated from Italy to Argentina. Before becoming a priest, he tried various occupations, such as beginning as a janitor, then a chemical laboratory worker, and finally, a nightclub bouncer.

The working-class environment of his early years enabled him to develop specific views about society and its people. His basic lifestyle allowed him to interact with common individuals. The experiences from his early life shaped his later decisions when he became the leader of the Catholic Church. Jorge Mario Bergoglio accepted the Papacy as Pope Francis during the 2013 election year.

History recognized Pope Francis as the first Jesuit leader of the Catholic Church, as well as the first Latino leader and the first pontiff to choose Francisco as his name. The issues that interested him focused on social welfare alongside Catholic institutional reform, while he dedicated his efforts to helping impoverished people.

What was Pope Francis' life like before joining the Church?

According to an article published by The Business Standard in 2013, the childhood of Jorge Mario Bergoglio took place in a modest Buenos Aires residence where he lived with his family. He was the first child and had four siblings. The family needed his mother to work at home, where she watched over them while his father earned a living as an accountant.

The immigrant cultural group kept them closely connected. The need to provide support for his family led Bergoglio to take various temporary positions for work. Bergoglio took various jobs, including floor cleaning, laboratory work, and bouncer duty at a nightclub. He explained to others that his various jobs helped him develop insight into human behaviors.

According to the priest, these work experiences showed him how regular people live when they are not part of the church community. Bergoglio completed his education by obtaining a diploma in chemistry.

An intense illness struck him when he was twenty years old, which changed the direction of his life forever. The church chose him to serve as a priest after he had a life-changing confession. His decision led him to attend the Jesuit novitiate in 1958.

Read More: When did Pope Francis become the pope? All about the first Latin-American Pope to head the Vatican

How did he rise in the Catholic Church?

According to a report published by SkyNews, Bergoglio became a member of the Society of Jesus, commonly referred to as the Jesuits. He pursued the humanities and philosophy. He also taught psychology and literature to high school students. He was ordained as a priest in 1969 and pronounced his final Jesuit vows in 1973.

Argentina was ruled by the military in the 1970s. Bergoglio was in charge of the Jesuits in the nation at this point. He assisted some in staying out of harm's way, but later his actions were questioned by critics when two priests were taken hostage. This time of his life has been covered in numerous stories and books.

Despite the criticism, Bergoglio kept going. He was appointed as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. In 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal. He gained a reputation for living simply and taking public transport rather than a private car. He would frequently visit the poor neighborhoods in the city.

Read More: Who will be the next Pope and how are they chosen? All you need to know as Pope Francis passes at 88

What happened during his time as Pope?

According to an article published by the NY Post in 2013, Bergoglio was selected to become pope in 2013 when Pope Benedict XVI resigned. To honor nature and the poor, he picked the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi. Pope Francis hoped to make the Church more forgiving and welcoming toward the poor.

He wrote Laudato Si’, an important letter about caring for the Earth. He also spoke out about helping migrants, reducing poverty, and being more accepting of others. His messages often centered on understanding and forgiveness.

He also tried to introduce reforms within the Church during his papacy. He tried to deal with issues of financial corruption and misuse. A few liked what he was doing, but some felt that more needed to be done. Nevertheless, he remained firm in instituting reforms till his death.

Pope Francis had a life that was quite different before becoming Pope. His early work experiences and personal hardships influenced his perspective on life and religion. These helped guide the way that he led the Church.

He emphasized simplicity of living, caring for the poor, and being more open within the Church. He raised significant issues of concern to the world, such as the environment and social justice. His leadership differed from that of most of those preceding him.

Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at 88 years old. He left a trail of service, reform, and deep connection to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

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