Pope Francis was the first pope from which continent before his death in April 2025?

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis, made history upon his election in 2013 by becoming the first pontiff to hail from the continent of South America. His papacy, which concluded with his death in April 2025, marked a significant departure from centuries of European leadership within the Catholic Church, bringing a unique perspective from a region with a large and vibrant Catholic population.

Hailing specifically from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis's origin in Latin America underscored the growing importance of the global South for the Catholic Church. For over a millennium, nearly all popes had come from Europe, with the last non-European pope before him being Gregory III from Syria in the 8th century. His background offered a distinct understanding of the challenges and strengths of the Church in developing nations.

Beyond his continental origin, Pope Francis also broke new ground as the first Jesuit pope, a member of the Society of Jesus, an order known for its intellectual rigor and missionary work. His choice of the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, signaled a papacy focused on humility, poverty, and concern for the environment. These aspects, combined with his South American roots, defined his historic papacy.