Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, celebrates his birthday on December 17th. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the neighborhood of Flores. This vibrant and culturally rich city was witness to the early years of the man who would later become the spiritual leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. Raised in a middle-class family, Pope Francis’ formative years were shaped by the distinctive blend of Argentine culture and Catholic faith that permeates the streets of Buenos Aires. Today, his birthday serves as a reminder of his humble beginnings and unwavering commitment to serving the global Catholic community with compassion, humility, and a deep sense of social justice.
The Pope doesn’t usually hold general Sunday mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica unless it’s for a specific holy day. However many other priests will serve mass every Sunday. Pope Francis does address the crowd in Saint Peter’s Square, with the Angelus, every Sunday at noon (when he is in Rome.)
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