Pope Francis

First Pope from the Americas

From the Series Gateway Biographies

  • Interest Level: Grade 4 - Grade 8
  • Reading Level: Grade 5

On March 19, 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina became Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. His election to the papacy was notable in many ways. He became the first pope from the Americas, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, the first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years, the first Jesuit pope, and the first pope to choose the name Francis.

Pope Francis was not the person that most people expected to ascend to the papacy when Pope Benedict XVI resigned from the role in late February 2013. While serving as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cardinal Bergoglio was known for his dedication to helping the poor and admired for his modest lifestyle. After his inauguration, Pope Francis retained many of his humble ways. People around the globe eagerly watch to see what changes he might bring about in the Catholic Church.

Follow Pope Francis’s journey to the papacy, from his days as a young chemist to his studies of theology. Learn more about his beliefs and hobbies—including his interests in soccer and tango dancing. Find out the true story behind the man who became the 266th pope.

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978-1-4677-2176-9
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978-1-5124-5185-6
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978-1-4677-5977-9
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978-1-5124-4184-0
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Interest Level Grade 4 - Grade 8
Reading Level Grade 5
Genre Social Studies
Copyright 2014
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Lerner Publications ™
Language English
Number of Pages 48
Publication Date 2013-08-01
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007080, JNF038060
Dewey 282.092
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 7 x 9
Lexile 900
ATOS Reading Level 6.2
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 160200
Accelerated Reader® Points 1.0
Features Bibliography/further reading, Index, Reviewed, Sidebars, and Timeline

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Gateway Biographies

Discover the human side of newsworthy, historical, and pop culture figures, and learn about people leading key social movements or handling crises. Each biography in this easy-reading series is peppered with quotations and stories, accounts of successes and failures, and descriptions of… View available downloads →

Reviews

School Library Journal

“[A] wide-ranging portrait of the religious leader.” —School Library Journal

Booklist

“Interweaving politics and religion, Watson offers up a fascinating history of a country and the rise of an influential and humble religious leader….[A]n informative inside look at the spiritual leader of 1.2 million people.” —Booklist