Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He is the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. Before becoming pope, Bergoglio served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and was known for his humility, simple lifestyle, and focus on social justice. As pope, Francis has emphasized mercy, care for the poor, interfaith dialogue, and environmental stewardship. His papacy has been marked by a push for reform within the Church and a more open, inclusive approach to many global and social issues.