Pope Francis becomes the 266th Bishop of Rome
12 years ago, the College of Cardinals "went to find him from the end of the earth" in electing Jorge Mario Bergoglio to follow Pope Benedict XVI in the Chair of St. Peter
2013 A.D.
The first pope from the New World.
The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere
The first pope from the Jesuit religious order.
The first non-European pope in over 12 centuries.
The first pope to take the regnal name of Francis.
Happy Anniversary, Holy Father!
Here’s the moment Pope Francis first appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, 12 years ago today: