Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J.: The Argentinian Jesuit Pope Francis

First Jesuit Pope, First Pope from the Global South, a Global Pandemic, and Loyola Chicago Reaches 150

Francis Hall officially opened in fall 2020 as Loyola University Chicago celebrated its 150th anniversary (1870-2020). The residence hall was named in honor of Pope Francis (1936-2025) in his papacy’s seventh year. Francis, formerly the Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., was the first ever Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas and Global South. Beginning in spring 2020, the Covid pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe. In the midst of strictly mandated lockdowns, Francis Hall’s opening to on campus residents was delayed. Nevertheless, Loyola’s sesquicentennial events proceeded as planned, valiantly held online in virtual formats.