Dar es Salaam, April 24 -- VATICAN CITY: POPE Francis, the first Argentinian pope from the Global South, was elected on 13 March 2013.

His service as the Bishop of Rome and the spiritual head of all Catholic Christians has marked a significant period in the Catholic Churchs life.

Over his 88 years, Pope Francis lived in generous and creative service to God, the Society of Jesus (of which he was a member), the Catholic Church and, in his time as pope, the global community.

Inspired by the example and spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order, Pope Francis has consistently shown deep compassion for the poor, the sick, prisoners and the elderly.

Throughout his ministry — whether as a priest, bishop, car...