Pope Francis c. mid 2010s, photo by neneo/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Date of Birth: December 17, 1936
Ethnicity: Italian
Pope Francis is the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, a title he holds ex officio as Bishop of Rome, and Sovereign of the Vatican City. He was elected to the office, on 13 March, 2013.
He was Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2013.
Pope Francis is the son of Regina Maria Sivori (Gogna) and Mario Giuseppe Francesco Bergoglio Vassallo. His father was born in Turin, Piedmont, Italy. His mother was born in Argentina, of Italian descent, with roots in Liguria and Piedmont.
Pope Francis’ patrilineal line can be traced back eight generations, to Bernardo Bergoglio, who died, c. 1612, in Robella, Province of Asti, Piedmont, Italy.
Pope Francis’ paternal grandfather was Giovanni/Juan Angelo “Albino” Bergoglio (the son of Francesco Bergoglio Giacchino and Maria Teresa Bugnano). Giovanni was born in Portacomaro Stazione, Province of Asti, Piedmont, Italy. Francesco was born in Montechiaro d’Asti, the son of Giuseppe Bergoglio, who was from Schierano, near Passerano Marmorito, and of Maria Giacchino, who was from Cocconato. Pope Francis’ great-grandmother Maria Teresa was born in San Martino al Tanaro, now San Martino Alfieri.
Pope Francis’ paternal grandmother was Rosa Margherita Vasallo (the daughter of Pietro Vasallo and Angela Crema). Rosa was born in Piana Crixia, Province of Savona, Liguria, Italy. Pietro was born in Liguria, the son of Cesare Vassallo, who was born in Castino, Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy, and of Maria “Angela” Sugliano/Suriano di Gorrino. Pope Francis’ great-grandmother Angela Crema was born in Cortemilia, Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy, the daughter of Giuseppe Crema, a farmer, and of Angela Maria Marchisio.
Pope Francis’ maternal grandfather was Francisco Sivori Sturla (the son of Vincenzo/Vicenzo Girolamo Sívori and Caterina Sturla). Francisco was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian parents. Vincenzo was born in Cogorno, Province of Genoa, Liguria, Italy, the son of Antonio Sivori and Caterina Daneri. Pope Francis’ great-grandmother Caterina Sturla was also born in Liguria, Italy, and was the daughter of Giuseppe Sturla and Magdalena/Maddalena Pinasco.
Pope Francis’ maternal grandmother was María Gogna (the daughter of Pietro/Pedro Giovanni/Juan Antonio Gogna and Regina Demergazzo). María was born in Cabella Ligure, Province of Alessandria, Piedmont, Italy. Pietro was the son of Giacomo Gogna. Regina was the daughter of Giovanni Demergazzo. The surname Gogna was originally spelled Gugna.
Sources: Genealogies of Pope Francis –
