Pope Francis: Cardinalate (2001–2013)

Image: Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in 2008 By Aibdescalzo – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, (Wikipedia)

Cardinalate of Jorge Mario Bergoglio

Appointment and Initial Duties

On 21 February 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the College of Cardinals, assigning him the title of Cardinal Priest of San Roberto Bellarmino. He was formally installed at the titular church on 14 October of that year. During his visit to Rome for the consistory, Bergoglio and his sister María Elena visited their father’s hometown in northern Italy, deepening personal ties with their Italian heritage.

Following his elevation, Cardinal Bergoglio was appointed to five major administrative roles within the Roman Curia:

• Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments

• Congregation for the Clergy

• Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

• Pontifical Council for the Family

• Pontifical Commission for Latin America

Later in 2001, after the September 11 attacks, Cardinal Edward Egan returned to New York, and Bergoglio was chosen to replace him as relator (recording secretary) for the Synod of Bishops. His performance earned praise, and he was described by the Catholic Herald as “a man open to communion and dialogue.”

Style and Reputation

Cardinal Bergoglio became widely known for his humility, doctrinal conservatism, and social justice advocacy. He chose to live in a small apartment rather than the traditional archbishop’s palace, often used public transportation, and cooked his meals—a lifestyle that resonated with his pastoral image. He limited his trips to Rome to short, necessary visits, often referred to as “lightning visits.”

2005 Papal Conclave

After Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005, Bergoglio participated as a cardinal elector in the 2005 papal conclave. He was considered one of the leading contenders (papabile) to succeed John Paul II, and many sources cited him as a frontrunner.

The Italian magazine Limes later reported that Bergoglio was runner-up to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was ultimately elected Pope Benedict XVI. According to a diary allegedly written by an anonymous cardinal present at the conclave, Bergoglio received 40 votes on the third ballot, before falling back to 26 on the decisive fourth ballot. La Stampa and journalist Andrea Tornielli reported that Bergoglio made an emotional appeal asking his fellow cardinals not to vote for him, likely to prevent delays in the election process and ensure unity.

Engagement with Lay Movements and Beatification Efforts

Bergoglio had close ties with Communion and Liberation, a Catholic lay movement focused on evangelization. He occasionally attended the movement’s Rimini Meeting, an annual cultural and religious gathering in Italy.

In 2005, Bergoglio authorized the opening of the beatification process for six members of the Pallottine community, who had been murdered during the San Patricio Church massacre in 1976. He also initiated a formal investigation into the killings, which previous testimony suggested were carried out by the Argentine Navy under the orders of Rear Admiral Rubén Chamorro.

References

• Catholic-Hierarchy.org. “Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.” Retrieved from https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbergj.html

• Allen, John L. Jr. The Rise of Benedict XVI: The Inside Story of How the Pope Was Elected and Where He Will Take the Catholic Church. Doubleday, 2005.

• Catholic News Service. “New cardinals named by John Paul II.” February 21, 2001.

• The Catholic Herald. “Bergoglio impresses at Synod of Bishops.” October 2001.

• Tornielli, Andrea. Francis: Pope of a New World. Ignatius Press, 2013.

• Limes. “Il secondo dopo Ratzinger?” September 2005.

• La Stampa. “I voti segreti del conclave del 2005.” September 2005.

• National Catholic Reporter. Allen, John L. Jr. “Profile: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.” April 2005.

• The Tablet. “Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio: Humble reformer.” March 2013.

• Communion and Liberation. “Cardinal Bergoglio at the Rimini Meeting.” August 2005.

• Catholic News Agency. “Pallottine Martyrs: Cause for Beatification Opens.” July 2005.

• Reuters. “Bergoglio launches probe into 1976 church massacre.” 2005.

• Página/12. “San Patricio: Una masacre sin justicia.” July 2006.

• Shevchuk, Sviatoslav. “Bergoglio’s Care for Eastern Catholics in Argentina.” Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. March 2013.

• Vatican Press Office. Annuario Pontificio, various years.

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