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The announcement of Pope Francis's death occurred on April 21st. He was 88 years old. The moment has triggered many tributes and retrospectives on the Pope's legacy, including advocacy for the poor and marginalized and a progressive agenda that tries to move the Church in a more accepting direction. Born on December 17th, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, under the name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Pope was the eldest son of a family of five siblings. Here's what we know about his family:
A family of Italian immigrants
© Getty ImagesPope Francis comes from a family of Italian immigrants who made a life in Buenos Aires. His grandfather, Giovanni Angelo Bergoglio, left Italy at 20 and moved to Argentina with his wife, Rosa Vassallo, in 1929 to escape Mussolini’s regime. That journey shaped the family’s story.
His dad, Mario José, worked in the railway industry, while his mom stayed home to raise the kids. They grew up in the Flores neighborhood, with strong values, deep faith, and a solid connection to their Italian roots.
Despite everything that’s come with being Pope, Jorge never lost touch with family. In 2022, he traveled to Asti to celebrate his cousin Carla Rabezzana’s birthday. In Argentina, his nephews include Felipe Bergoglio, a soccer player, and another who became a priest. He keeps those relationships alive through calls and small gestures. His sister María Elena has said that his kindness and love for family haven’t changed—they’ve just stretched across borders.
The Pope's siblings
© Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesPope Francis' childhood was full of simple, meaningful moments. Family life was tight-knit and centered around their Italian roots—his mom, Regina, would cook homemade gnocchi, and his dad, Mario, an accountant who left Italy in 1929 to escape fascism, taught them the value of hard work.
Pope Francis was the eldest of five siblings. They were Alberto Horacio, Marta Regina, María Elena, and Óscar Adrián. The only surviving sibling is María Elena, who lives in Argentina and leads a private life.
In his biography, Pope Francis reminisced about his life and his family, discussing the many tragedies that they'd lived through. His father died when María Elena was a young girl, with the Pope becoming her father figure. His siblings died over the past decades: Óscar died in 1997, Marta in 2007, and Alberto in 2010.
"Life in my family has known a lot of sadness, tears, and pain, but even in the most difficult times we've experienced a smile and a laugh that could provide us with the energy we needed to find our way back," wrote the Pope in his memoir "Hope," as reported by our sister website HOLA! Spain.
The sister behind the Pope
María Elena Pope Francis’ youngest sibling and only surviving sister, has always been close to her brother Jorge. They grew up side by side in Buenos Aires, sharing laughs, dancing the tango, and leaning on each other through everyday life. He was the protective older brother, and those memories stayed with both of them.
When he was elected Pope in 2013, María Elena told El Universal in Mexico that she actually prayed he wouldn’t be chosen. She was worried it would separate them. But despite the distance, their bond held strong. Jorge still calls her regularly from Rome, and they stay in touch through long, heartfelt conversations.
© Getty ImagesHis election made history. He became the first Pope from Latin America, a moment that brought both pride and a sense of loss to his family.
Even with her health challenges, including hospitalizations in 2015, María Elena has shared glimpses of their relationship. She says he hasn’t changed—still kind, grounded, and the same brother she’s always known. Their connection remains one of the constants in his life, no matter how much else has changed.
The family's ties with soccer
© Getty ImagesPope Francis grew up in a family that was passionate about soccer, particularly with San Lorenzo, a club located in Boedo, Buenos Aires. They were die-hard fans—going to games together, cheering from the stands. Jorge stayed loyal to the team all his life, keeping his membership card and watching matches whenever he could.
His dad, Mario, was just as devoted. Sadly, he died of a heart attack at a San Lorenzo match, sitting next to Jorge’s brother, Alberto.
Off the field, life at home was full of faith and tradition. Jorge remembered dancing tango with his sister María Elena—just part of everyday life in Buenos Aires. Religion was a big part of their world. His mom, Regina, led nightly prayers, and his dad backed his growing interest in theology. At 17, a life-changing confession made things clear for Jorge: he wanted to become a priest.
The Pope has different nephews, including Felipe Bergoglio, a 20-year-old soccer player who plays in the Italian team Castiglione 1919. On a previous occasion, Felipe shared that he was 10 years old when his grandfather became Pope.
© Getty Images
