On March 13, 2013, at 7:06 pm (Central European Time), white smoke was spotted rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where the conclave was being held. It could only mean one thing – a new pope had been chosen to lead the Catholic Church. Although many did not know the name of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Cardinal from Argentina, as he was not predicted to be the new pope by any of the analysts or even administrators of the church, the world quickly began to praise him for his extremely humble attitude and straightforward manner. News headlines exploded with information about the first non-European and first Jesuit pope in the history of the church, and Latin Americans rejoiced at finally having significant representation in the church hierarchy.

This biography will follow Bergoglio’s ancestors as they travel by ship from Italy to Buenos Aires, explore Jorge’s career as priest, bishop, and later cardinal, delve deep into his beliefs and opinions about the world and the state of the church, as well as attempt to predict how this man from humble beginnings will help shape the Catholic Church in the future.

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