The Catholic Church experienced an unprecedented moment in March 2013 with the election of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Supreme Pontiff. This appointment marked a turning point in the history of Catholicism, as it was the first time a member of the Society of Jesus and of Latin American origin assumed the Chair of Saint Peter. The news resonated strongly worldwide, especially in Latin America, where millions of faithful looked upon the arrival of a leader close to their realities with hope.
The Election of Francis: How the First Latin American Pope Marked a Turning Point in the Vatican
Bergoglio, who served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, emerged as a figure that encapsulated the Church’s need to reconnect with the most humble communities. At that time, the Church was amid several internal conflicts, delicate situations and an urgent need for reforms, both structural and pastoral. The new Pope took the name Francis, in homage to Saint Francis of Assisi, a symbol of poverty, humility and service to the most needy.
The appointment of then Cardinal Bergoglio came in a conclave marked by intense and delicate debates. The internal context of the Vatican, steeped in tensions, private document leaks (known as Vatileaks) and the need to reorganize the Curia, pushed the electing cardinals to reflect on the future of the institution. There was no doubt that the new Pontiff had to be a strong shepherd, capable of facing turbulences with firmness and compassion.
The Conclave and the Decisive Votes
That conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, included 115 cardinal electors from diverse regions. Following the historic resignation of Benedict XVI in February 2013, the Catholic world plunged into a climate of expectation. The prelates held more than ten meetings before the enclosure, where they debated the great challenges facing the Church, including the urgency to reform the Vatican administration and address pedophilia, an open wound that demanded clear and decisive responses.
During the initial votes, the famous “black smoke” indicated the difficulty in reaching a consensus. However, after several rounds, Bergoglio’s name emerged as the figure capable of building bridges and confronting the shadows threatening the institution’s reputation. The white smoke, an unequivocal sign of the new Pope’s election, rose over Rome on the afternoon of March 13, 2013, causing jubilation in St. Peter’s Square and in multiple corners of the planet.
The relative speed of the process surprised observers and analysts, who had expected, due to the internal complexity, a more extended deliberation. But the determination of the cardinals and the need for strong leadership achieved an agreement sooner than anticipated. The Vatican, as soon as the election was confirmed, quickly updated its official website to present the world with the new Pontiff’s face.
The Presence of the Emeritus Pope in the Vatican
Francis’s arrival represented an unprecedented situation: the coexistence in the Vatican with an emeritus Pope, Benedict XVI, who resided in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery. This unusual fact marked a new paradigm in ecclesiastical history. For the first time in the modern era, the Church had the simultaneous presence of a reigning Pontiff and a retired one, a condition that generated debates about the influence the emeritus Pope could exert and how the new leader would handle this singular circumstance.
However, the relationship between both spiritual leaders remained cordial and respectful. Pope Francis took advantage of his predecessor’s experience and found in him a silent and discreet counselor. Meanwhile, the faithful admired this harmonious transition, dispelling fears of internal conflicts between two highly influential figures.
The Challenge of Transparency and the Vatileaks Case
At that time, the institution faced a transparency crisis generated by the Vatileaks case. Before his resignation, Benedict XVI had ordered a thorough investigation into the theft and leaking of private documents. Three octogenarian cardinals, Jozef Tomko, Salvatore De Giorgi and Julián Herranz, gathered sensitive information intended to expose the intricate power networks, intrigues and possible irregularities in the Curia.
American cardinal electors and also some from other regions, expressed their concern about knowing the content of that report. Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno, Archbishop of Aparecida and president of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference, raised his voice to demand access to the documents, arguing that the closest advisors to the future Pope needed to be aware of the internal difficulties to overcome.
Although the full disclosure of the report did not occur, the electors who requested information received a summary of the situation. This brief overview allowed them to understand the magnitude of the challenges the next Pontiff would have to undertake, from sanitizing Vatican finances, including those of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), to restructuring the Curia.
The IOR in the Spotlight
The tenth and final of the general congregations prior to the conclave was dedicated to the IOR, the Vatican bank, an institution enveloped in criticism and suspicion. Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State and president of the cardinalatial commission overseeing the IOR, informed the cardinals about the financial situation, governance and actions undertaken to clean up the entity.
Several journalistic leaks indicated that Bertone received severe criticism during those meetings for his management style. The cardinals demanded more efficiency, greater accountability and stricter controls. The need for a leader capable of cleansing that internal “rot,” as mentioned in the debates, was decisive in shaping the type of Pontiff the Church needed.
Structural and Pastoral Challenges
In addition to transparency, the Church faced other major challenges. The stance on pedophilia, a painful issue that had damaged ecclesial credibility in many countries, required profound changes. The faithful demanded a more courageous, committed and victim-centered attitude. Only a determined Pope could lead the necessary reforms and restore the lost trust.
On the international stage, relations with other religions, especially Islam, were also on the agenda. Openness to interreligious dialogue was considered essential to promote world peace. The stance on bioethics, the integration of women into decision-making spaces within the Church and the more equitable distribution of authority were matters that warranted priority attention.
The cardinals had concluded that the new Pontiff needed to be a fearless shepherd, capable of guiding the flock amidst a changing world. A man who would proclaim the gospel with mercy, accompany the poor and marginalized and at the same time, restore the Vatican’s historical influence in the international concert.
The Profile of Jorge Mario Bergoglio
The election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis was not by chance. For years, the Argentine cardinal had worked closely with the most disadvantaged communities in Buenos Aires. His pastoral style was characterized by simplicity, closeness and the ability to listen. These qualities were especially attractive to the cardinals seeking a figure with social and spiritual sensitivity.
The new Pontiff set out, from the first moment, to reform the Vatican structure, combat internal corruption and open greater spaces for dialogue with the outside world. His own order, the Society of Jesus, had a long intellectual and missionary tradition, providing him with a broad perspective to address global conflicts. As the first Latin American to occupy the Chair of Peter, his presence implied a closer connection with a region where the Church had a significant cultural and political role.
The Reaction of the Catholic World and Expectations
The news generated enthusiasm among many faithful, especially those who longed for profound renewal. Latin America, Bergoglio’s birthplace, reacted with pride. The Church in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Argentina understood that Francis’s appointment marked the beginning of a different, more inclusive stage, focused on the people’s concrete needs.
However, there was also skepticism.
Some thought that the Curia, with centuries of tradition, would resist changes. Others doubted that reforms could be as profound as proclaimed. The new Pope’s words, his austerity, his simple gestures by renouncing certain luxuries and his determined attention to migrants, the poor and the sick were a forceful response to the skeptics. The Church faced a global crisis of values and its leader had to rise to the occasion.
Legacy and Subsequent Analysis
Over time, specialists in religious and sociological matters evaluated Bergoglio’s election as a historic event that transformed the perception of papal leadership. Many pointed out that simply being from Latin America represented a breath of fresh air. This 2013 election not only impacted the Church internally but also redefined its relationship with the world, carrying out the evangelizing mission within a framework more sensitive to social justice.
In retrospect, Francis’s arrival was analyzed as the logical consequence of an internal necessity. The Church could not continue its course without adjustments or without a voice that understood the issues of contemporary life. The election of a Pope who was closely acquainted with poverty and marginalization sent an unequivocal message: the Church needed to return to its roots, standing alongside those suffering from the inequalities of the modern world.
Verified Sources and Credible References
To better understand the context and magnitude of this election, you can consult official sites and prestigious publications:
