This profile is part of the 2016 Global Citizen March Madness Challenge. The challenge asks you to vote for your favorite global citizens, as we match them up “tournament style” from a “Sweet 16” starting round, all the way down to a champion on April 4th.
Vote now in the Sweet 16 Round for all of your favorites HERE
Name: Jorge Mario Bergoglio (aka Pope Francis, His Holiness)
Hometown: Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Profession: The Catholic Pope
Issue division: Environment
Quick facts:
- Climate change is a main focus in his papacy
- Loves to tango
- Hasn't watched TV in 25 years
- Proud supporter of San Lorenzo de Almagro Football club
Pope Francis is our oldest, at 79 years, competitor in our Global Citizen’s Environmental division in our Sweet Sixteen edition of March Madness. Pope Francis’ stance on climate change and its connection to poverty has had a resounding effect on people around the world. Social scientists state that making climate change his papacy platform has produced a type of Francis Effect, where non-climate change believers can suddenly see the importance of taking care of the Earth. Pope Francis’ teachings have made many Americans now believe that global warming is happening, and that it is a social fairness and moral issue.
Pope Francis has been laying down the climate change law since he took over as “His Holiness” back in 2013. To Pope Francis, environmental protection is a main part of ending world poverty. To him, environmental protection is foundational to living a good life.
“Any harm done to the environment, therefore, is harm done to humanity” - Pope Francis at UN General Assembly (Sept. 2015)
If YOU want to live in a better world, then pass the ball to Pope Francis, his three pointers will bring an end to global poverty.
First round match-up
