Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, then the archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected pontiff on March 13, 2013, on the second day of the conclave following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Francis is the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit to serve as pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. He chose the name Francis to honor St. Francis of Assisi and to stress simplicity and poverty. 

This March marks Pope Francis’ 10-year anniversary, and many observances are planned. For example, the dioceses of Argentina will hold celebrations from March 11-19 to “renew along with our holy faithful People of God the affection” for the Holy Father. St. Ambrose University in Iowa has planned a three-day conference to celebrate the milestone, featuring numerous keynote speakers, breakout sessions and a closing Mass hosted by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Titular Archbishop of Gunela.

Pope Francis’ papacy has been marked by financial reforms in the Vatican and reforms to Church law and practice to ensure greater transparency and accountability in response to the clergy sex abuse crisis. He has published three encyclicals and five apostolic exhortations, as well as many letters and books. He has encouraged the Church to go out to the people of God and listen to them in order to evangelize and form disciples.