Profile Text
Pope Francis c. mid 2010s, photo by neneo /Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Date of Birth: 17 December, 1936
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Date of Death: 21 April, 2025
Place of Death: Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City
Ethnicity: Italian
Pope Francis was the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, a title he held ex officio as Bishop of Rome, and Sovereign of the Vatican City. He was Pope from 13 March, 2013 to 21 April, 2025, his death. He had previously been Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Argentina, from 1973 to 1979, Titular Bishop of Auca, and Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, both, from 1992 to 1997; Coadjutor Bishop of Buenos Aires, from 1997 to 1998, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and Ordinary for the Faithful of the Eastern Rites in Argentina, both, from 1998 to 2013; Cardinal Priest of San Roberto Bellarmino, from 2001 to 2013, and President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, from 2005 to 2011. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American pope, and the first Pope to have been born or raised outside Europe in over 1000 years. He was Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2013.
Pope Francis was the son of Regina Maria Sivori Gogna and Mario Giuseppe Francesco Bergoglio Vassallo, an accountant. His father was born in Turin, Piedmont, Italy. His mother was born in Argentina, of Italian descent, with roots in Liguria and Piedmont.
Pope Francis’ patrilineal line can be traced back eight generations, to Bernardo Bergoglio, who died, c. 1612, in Robella, Province of Asti, Piedmont, Italy.
Pope Francis’ paternal grandfather was Giovanni/Juan Angelo “Albino” Bergoglio (the son of Francesco Bergoglio Giacchino and Maria Teresa Bugnano). Giovanni was born in Portacomaro Stazione, Province of Asti, Piedmont, Italy. Francesco was born in Montechiaro d’Asti, the son of Giuseppe Bergoglio, who was from Schierano, near Passerano Marmorito, and of Maria Giacchino, who was from Cocconato. Pope Francis’ great-grandmother Maria Teresa was born in San Martino al Tanaro, now San Martino Alfieri.
Pope Francis’ paternal grandmother was Rosa Margherita Vasallo (the daughter of Pietro Vasallo and Angela Crema). Rosa was born in Piana Crixia, Province of Savona, Liguria, Italy. Pietro was born in Liguria, the son of Cesare Vassallo, who was born in Castino, Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy, and of Maria “Angela” Sugliano/Suriano di Gorrino. Pope Francis’ great-grandmother Angela Crema was born in Cortemilia, Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy, the daughter of Giuseppe Crema, a farmer, and of Angela Maria Marchisio.
Pope Francis’ maternal grandfather was Francisco Sivori Sturla (the son of Vincenzo/Vicenzo Girolamo Sívori and Caterina Sturla). Francisco was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian parents. Vincenzo was born in Cogorno, Province of Genoa, Liguria, Italy, the son of Antonio Sivori and Caterina Daneri. Pope Francis’ great-grandmother Caterina Sturla was also born in Liguria, Italy, and was the daughter of Giuseppe Sturla and Magdalena/Maddalena Pinasco.
Pope Francis’ maternal grandmother was María Gogna (the daughter of Pietro/Pedro Giovanni/Juan Antonio Gogna and Regina Demergazzo). María was born in Cabella Ligure, Province of Alessandria, Piedmont, Italy. Pietro was the son of Giacomo Gogna. Regina was the daughter of Giovanni Demergazzo. The surname Gogna was originally spelled Gugna.
Sources: Genealogies of Pope Francis – http://www.geni.com http://geneasud.blogspot.ca http://genealogicexperts.com https://gw.geneanet.org http://www.apellidositalianos.com.ar