Scottish Catholic Observer

The man elected to be the 265th Successor of Saint Peter in the conclave, is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite. He was born on December 17 1936 in Buenos Aires. He was ordained for the Jesuits on December 13 1969 during his theological studies at the theological faculty of San Miguel.

He was novice master in San Miguel, where he also taught theology. He was Provincial for Argentina (1973-1979) and rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel (1980-1986). After completing his doctoral dissertation in Germany, he served as a confessor and spiritual director in Córdoba. On May 20 1992 he was appointed titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires, receiving episcopal consecration on  June 27. On June 3 1997 was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires and succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino on 28 February 1998. He is also Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite.

Adjunct Relator General of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, October 2001.

He served as President of the Bishops’ Conference of Argentina from November 8 2005 until November 8 2011. Created and proclaimed Cardinal by the Blessed John Paul II in the consistory of February 21 2001, of the Title of S Roberto Bellarmino (St Robert Bellarmine).

Member of:Congregations: for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments; for the Clergy; for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; Pontifical Council for the Family; Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

-Courtesy of Vatican Radio