Initially trained as a chemist, Bergoglio taught literature, psychology, philosophy and theology before taking over as Buenos Aires archbishop in 1998.
"In just six years, he went from being a priest in a small convent in a province, to being archbishop of Buenos Aires and future Cardinal Primate of Argentina. His career has been meteoric." said Bergoglio's authorised biographer, Sergio Rubin.
Bergoglio became cardinal in 2001, when the economy was collapsing, and won respect for blaming unrestrained capitalism for impoverishing millions of Argentines.
