Who Was the Pope Before Pope Leo XIV?

Pope Francis, the Pope Before Pope Leo XIV

Pope Francis was the pope immediately before Pope Leo XIV. He served from 13 March 2013 to 28 December 2025, when he resigned at age 88. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentine Jesuit, became the 266th pope on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave, choosing Francis in homage to Saint Francis of Assisi. His eight-year, nine-month pontificate was marked by efforts to reform the Curia, emphasize mercy and accompaniment in Amoris Laetitia, and prioritize poverty and clerical accountability. Francis also advanced interfaith dialogue and made pastoral outreach central to the Church’s mission before Leo XIV continued reform agendas upon his election.

Pope Before Pope Leo XIV: Identity and Basic Facts

Understanding who held the papacy immediately before Pope Leo XIV requires looking at the last elected sovereign of the Vatican City State, commonly known as Pope Francis. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he served as a Jesuit priest, bishop, and archbishop before his election in one of the most scrutinized conclaves of the modern era. His election represented a shift toward a more missionary and less centralized Church governance, influencing both internal reform and global perceptions of Catholicism.

Papal Name and Origins

Choosing the name Francis was seen as a signal of humility and care for creation, reflecting the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi. As the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas, Bergoglio’s background shaped his emphasis on the peripheries of society. His papal priorities included clerical training, financial transparency, and a more synodal style of leadership, all of which influenced the Church’s direction before the transition to Pope Leo XIV.

Verified Profile: Key Dates and Context

The following table summarizes verified details about the papacy of the pope before Pope Leo XIV, commonly identified as Pope Francis.

Historical Context: The End of Benedict XVI and the 2013 Conclave

Pope Francis emerged after the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in February 2013, the first voluntary papal resignation in nearly 600 years. The conclave that followed took place amid scandals and reform expectations. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio’s election on the fifth ballot surprised many observers, not least because he was not considered a front-runner. His choice of name and first gestures, including visiting the Regina Coeli prison instead of the Vatican, signaled a pastoral style distinct from his predecessors and helped define the Church’s trajectory through the mid-2020s.

The 2013 Conclave in Brief

• Conclave began on 12 March 2013 after Benedict’s resignation became effective.
• Smoke from the Sistine Chapel appeared white initially, leading to confusion.
• Final ballot produced black smoke on 13 March, announcing Cardinal Bergoglio’s election.
• He accepted election despite requesting further discussion among cardinals.
• Inauguration Mass on 19 March 2013 emphasized service and mercy.

Theological and Pastoral Emphasis

Pope Francis often framed his ministry around what he called a Church that is “poor and for the poor.” His apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia highlighted discernment and mercy in family life, while Evangelii Gaudium called for a missionary conversion of the Church. He instituted the Porziuncola Indulgence and emphasized care for creation in Laudato Si’. Internationally, he mediated dialogues in the Gulf, visited conflict zones, and consistently urged peace, making his pontificate notable for persistent focus on the marginalized.

Relationship to Predecessors and Successors

As the immediate predecessor of Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis completed a sequence of three consecutive papal transitions in a single generation: Benedict XVI (2005–2013), Francis (2013–2025), and Leo XIV (2026 onward). Francis preserved continuity with earlier magisterial teachings while introducing a more outward-facing, collaborative governance style. Leo XIV appears to build on this by sustaining reform priorities, particularly around administrative transparency and global mission, while emphasizing his own areas of emphasis in light of contemporary challenges.

Legacies and Ongoing Influence

Pope Francis’s legacy includes institutional reforms such as the reorganization of Roman dicasteries, the establishment of the Council of Cardinal Advisers, and efforts to professionalize Vatican finance. His encyclicals remain widely referenced in ethical debates, and his trips to peripheral regions reinforced the notion of a truly global Church. Although his resignation set a new precedent in modern Catholicism, his influence continues through writings, speeches, and the norms he helped establish, providing a foundation for successors like Pope Leo XIV to address current and future challenges.

Status Clarification: Active Retirement and Historical Record

Pope Francis remains the first pope to resign in the modern era, and his post-residence life has maintained a lower public profile while remaining engaged in prayer and advisory roles. Official Vatican communications have affirmed his ongoing spiritual influence and consultation in Church matters where relevant. Documenting his tenure helps clarify the transition to Pope Leo XIV and preserves a factual record of leadership changes in the 21st-century Church.

Key Takeaways at a Glance

• The pope before Pope Leo XIV was Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio).
• Papacy: 13 March 2013 to 28 December 2025.
• First Jesuit pope and first from the Americas.
• Chosen name honored Saint Francis of Assisi.
• Notable for reform efforts, emphasis on mercy, and clerical accountability.
• Legacy includes structural reforms and a globally oriented papacy.