Last updated on: 2/19/2017 | Author: ProCon.org

Pope Francis Biography

Title:
266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church
Position:
Pro to the question "Should All Americans Have the Right (Be Entitled) to Health Care?"
Reasoning:

“[H]ealth is not a consumer good, but rather a universal right, and therefore access to health care services cannot be a privilege.

Health care, especially at the most basic level, is indeed denied in many parts of the world… Access to health care services, treatment and medicines remains a mirage. The poorest are unable to pay and are excluded from hospital services, even the most essential primary care.”

“Pope Francis: Health Care Is a ‘Universal Right,’ Not a ‘Consumer Good,'” catholicculture.org, May 9, 2016
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Mar. 2013-present
  • President, Bishops’ Conference of Argentina, 2005-2011
  • General Relator to the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Episcopal Ministry, Oct. 2001
  • Cardinal, Roman Catholic Church of Argentina, 2001-2013
  • Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Feb. 1998-2013
  • Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires, June 1997-1998
  • Titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires, 1992-1998
  • Rector and Professor, Theology, Colegio of San José, 1980-86
  • Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, 1973-1979
  • Novice Master, Villa Barilari in San Miguel, Argentina, 1972-1973
  • Ordained as Catholic Priest, Dec. 13, 1969
  • Professor, Literature and Psychology, Colegio del Salvatore, 1966
  • Professor, Literature and Psychology, Immaculate Conception College, 1964-1965
Education:
  • Graduated, Theology, Colegio de San José, San Miguel, Argentina, 1970
  • Graduated, Philosophy, Colegio de San José in San Miguel, 1963
Other:
  • Nominated for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize
  • Named Person of the Year, TIME magazine, Dec. 2013
  • Lives in a 2-room apartment instead of the Papal accommodations in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace where former popes lived
  • First Jesuit Priest to be named Pope, as well as the first non-European
  • Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 17, 1936
Quoted in:
Pro & Con Quotes: Should All Americans Have the Right (Be Entitled) to Health Care?