Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, is a figure whose age and vitality have sparked curiosity and admiration. As of February 24, 2025, Pope Francis is 88 years old, having been born on December 17, 1936. His age places him among the oldest popes in history, a testament to his resilience and dedication despite health challenges. This article explores not just his chronological age but also the context of his life, his remarkable journey to the papacy, and the impact of his leadership at such an advanced stage of life.
The Birth and Early Years of Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents, Mario Jose Bergoglio and Regina Maria Sivori. As the eldest of five children, he grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Flores, where his father worked as a railway accountant and his mother managed the household. His early life was shaped by a blend of Italian heritage and Argentine culture, influences that would later define his approachable and humble demeanor.
At the time of his birth in 1936, the world was on the cusp of dramatic change. The Great Depression lingered, and the specter of World War II loomed. Growing up in this era, Bergoglio developed a grounded perspective on hardship and resilience—qualities that remain evident in his papacy. By 1953, at the age of 16, a pivotal moment occurred: during a confession on the feast of St. Matthew, he felt a profound call to the priesthood. This decision set the course for a life of service that would eventually lead him to the Vatican.
A Journey Through Education and Priesthood
Before fully committing to the Church, Bergoglio pursued a technical education, earning a diploma as a chemical technician. He worked briefly in a laboratory and even took on jobs as a janitor and nightclub bouncer, showcasing a versatility rare among future pontiffs. However, his spiritual calling persisted. In 1958, at age 21, he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), beginning a rigorous formation process.
His Jesuit training included studies in philosophy and theology, culminating in his ordination as a priest on December 13, 1969, at the age of 32. Over the next decades, he held various roles within the Jesuit order, including serving as the provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina from 1973 to 1979. These years were marked by political turbulence in Argentina, including the "Dirty War," during which Bergoglio quietly worked to protect those at risk, a chapter of his life that remains both admired and debated.
Rising Through the Ranks
Bergoglio’s ascent in the Church hierarchy accelerated in the 1990s. In 1992, at age 55, he was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. Five years later, in 1997, he became the coadjutor archbishop, and in 1998, at 61, he succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. His tenure was characterized by a focus on the poor, earning him the nickname "Slum Bishop" for his outreach to marginalized communities.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal at age 64, a role that brought him international attention. By the time of the 2005 conclave following John Paul II’s death, Bergoglio, then 68, was a serious contender for the papacy, though the election ultimately favored Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI. Bergoglio returned to Argentina, continuing his work until destiny called again.
Becoming Pope Francis
On March 13, 2013, at the age of 76, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, following Benedict XVI’s historic resignation. Choosing the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi—a saint known for his simplicity and devotion to the poor—he broke new ground as the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. His election at 76 made him one of the older popes at the start of his pontificate, yet his energy and reformist zeal quickly dispelled any doubts about his capacity to lead.
As of February 24, 2025, Pope Francis has served for nearly 12 years, bringing his age to 88. This milestone aligns him with a select group of pontiffs who have led the Church into their late 80s or beyond. For comparison, Pope Leo XIII, often cited as the oldest modern pope, served until his death in 1903 at 93, while Pope Benedict XVI resigned at 85 and lived to 95 as pope emeritus. Francis’s age, therefore, is notable but not unprecedented in Church history.
Health and Resilience at 88
Pope Francis’s age has inevitably brought health challenges to the forefront. At 21, he suffered a severe bout of pneumonia that necessitated the partial removal of one lung, a condition that has not significantly hindered his activities. More recently, he has faced mobility issues due to knee problems, requiring a wheelchair since 2022, and undergone abdominal surgeries in 2021 and 2023. In February 2025, he was hospitalized with pneumonia and a complex bronchial infection, a serious concern given his age and chronic lung condition. Yet, reports indicate he remains alert and engaged, governing "with his head and heart," as he himself has said, rather than relying solely on physical vigor.
His resilience is remarkable. Despite these setbacks, Francis completed a grueling 11-day trip to Asia and Oceania in September 2024 and continues to plan ambitious journeys, such as a potential visit to Turkey in 2025 to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. His determination reflects a belief he articulated early in his papacy: there is no retirement age for proclaiming the Gospel.
The Significance of Age in His Papacy
At 88, Pope Francis embodies a blend of age-old wisdom and modern adaptability. His advanced years bring a wealth of experience—decades as a priest, bishop, and cardinal—that inform his decisions. He often draws on lessons from his youth, such as the wisdom of his grandmother, whom he credits for teaching him about faith and humility. In his 2024 encyclical Dilexit Nos, he references her analogy of lies to hollow pastries, a nostalgic yet timeless insight.
His age also amplifies his emphasis on intergenerational dialogue. Since instituting the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021, he has urged older generations to pass on faith and values to the young, fostering unity across age divides. This mission resonates deeply in a world where aging leaders are increasingly scrutinized, from political figures like U.S. President Joe Biden (82) to Francis himself.
Critics and supporters alike debate whether his age affects his leadership. Traditionalists argue his progressive stances—on climate change, migration, and inclusivity—reflect a disconnect from younger generations’ concerns or an overreach of papal authority. Yet, his mental sharpness, often likened to that of a 60-year-old, counters such claims. His surgeon in 2023 noted that his vital organs remain robust, suggesting that age, while a factor, does not define his papacy.
A Legacy in the Making
At 88, Pope Francis is shaping a legacy that transcends his years. He has appointed 163 cardinals, with 110 currently eligible to vote in a future conclave as of February 2025, tilting the College of Cardinals toward a more global, less Eurocentric composition. His reforms, including the Synod on Synodality and encyclicals like Laudato Si’ on environmental care, signal a Church adapting to contemporary challenges.
Speculation about resignation has surfaced, especially given Benedict XVI’s precedent. Francis has signed a resignation letter in case of incapacitation but insists the papacy is a lifelong role unless health demands otherwise. His recent autobiography, Hope, published in 2025, reveals a man at peace with his age, humorously dismissing vanity and embracing irony as a tool for humility.
Conclusion: Age as a Strength
So, how old is Pope Francis? As of February 24, 2025, he is 88—a number that encapsulates not just years lived but a lifetime of service, struggle, and transformation. Far from slowing down, he continues to lead with vigor, proving that age can be a source of strength rather than a limitation. Whether navigating health crises or steering the Church through a polarized world, Pope Francis at 88 is a living testament to the adage that wisdom, not youth, often charts the boldest paths forward. His story invites us to reconsider aging—not as decline, but as a season of profound purpose.
0 Comments