how old was francis when he became pope

Pope Francis was 76 years old when he became pope on March 13, 2013.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he had just turned 76 a few months earlier, making his election a notable moment as the first pope from the Americas and the Jesuit order. This age positioned him as one of the older modern popes at election, following predecessors like Benedict XVI (78), yet he served until his death on April 21, 2025, at 88.

Key Timeline

Here's a quick breakdown of his path to the papacy:

Milestone| Date| Age
---|---|---
Birth| Dec 17, 1936| 0 13
Priesthood Ordination| Dec 13, 1969| 32 1
Episcopal Ordination| Feb 28, 1998| 61 1
Elected Pope| Mar 13, 2013| 76 149
Death| Apr 21, 2025| 88 23

Historical Context

Francis's election came after Benedict XVI's historic resignation in 2013, amid calls for a more pastoral leader. At 76, he brought maturity from decades in Argentina, focusing on mercy, social justice, and reform—contrasting younger popes like John Paul II (58 at election). Compared to recent pontiffs:

• John Paul II: 58 (1978)
• Benedict XVI: 78 (2005)
• Francis: 76 (2013)

His relatively advanced age at the start fueled discussions on papal longevity, especially as he navigated health challenges later in his 12-year reign.

TL;DR: 76 years old.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.