The last time someone from outside Europe led the Roman Catholic Church was the year 741, when Pope Gregory III, born in Syria, ended his 10-year reign.
Pope Francis is a member of the Society of Jesus - the Jesuits. He is the first Jesuit to be elected as pope.
Pope Adrian VI was the only Dutch pope and the last non-Italian to be elected pope until John Paul II in 1978. He reigned from January 9, 1522, until September 14, 1523.
From St. Peter to Pope Francis I there have been 266 popes.
Pope Benedict XVI was from Germany. Pope Francis I is from Argentina.
Before the election of Pope Francis there was never a pope from any of the Americas.
If you are referring to Pope Francis, his name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the current (2014) Pope Francis, elected on March 13, 2013.
If you are referring to Pope Francis, he was the Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Pope Benedict XVI was pope from 2005 until February 28, 2013, when he retired.
If you are referring to Pope Francis, he was the Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, before being elected as pope.
Pope Francis was named Jorge Mario Bergoglio at birth.