how old was pope francis when he was elected

Pope Francis was 76 years old when elected as pope on March 13, 2013.

Election Details

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, had just turned 76 a few months prior to his election following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. This age stood out as somewhat unexpected, given Benedict's own emphasis on the need for physical and mental vigor in the role—he was 85 at resignation and had been elected at nearly 78. Historical data shows Francis fit into a group of 18 popes elected between 71 and 80, a relatively common bracket amid 103 documented cases.

Historical Context

Papal elections have varied wildly in age over centuries—three popes under 25 (last in 996 at 24), yet only three over 80 (last in 1406). Francis marked milestones as the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, bringing a fresh dynamic at 76 after serving as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. His relatively "senior" election echoed recent predecessors like John Paul II (58 in 1978) and John Paul I (65 that same year).

Surrounding Timeline

• Birth : December 17, 1936—making exact election age 76 years, 2 months, 24 days.

• Conclave : March 12-13, 2013, after Benedict's February resignation.

• Papacy end : April 21, 2025, at age 88.

This choice reflected cardinals' preference for experience amid modern challenges, countering expectations for youth.

TL;DR : Elected at 76 on March 13, 2013—experienced but vigorous for his era.

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