On a day like today, but 11 years ago, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, became Pope Francisco, the first Latin American pontiff, the first Argentinean pope and the first Jesuit pope. He was elected on 13 March 2013, at the age of 76, and since then, the Supreme Pontiff has left a profound mark on the Catholic Church and the world, and has brought with him a committed approach to humility, his adherence to the preferential option for the poor and dialogue with people of different backgrounds and faiths.

As part of the anniversary of the Pope's election, we spoke with the military bishop, Santiago Olivera, a spiritual reference in the Casa Rosada and in the Quinta de Olivos, who was appointed by Pope Francisco on 28 March 2017 and has played a key role in the Armed Forces and Federal Security Forces since 2017.

With a career that goes back to his days as Vicar General in the Diocese of Morón, Bishop Olivera recalled the evolution of his closeness with the then Cardinal Bergoglio: "I have known Pope Francisco for many, many years. I had been Vicar General in the Diocese of Morón, which is close to the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, where Bergoglio was first auxiliary bishop, coadjutor bishop, archbishop of Buenos Aires and then cardinal. In 2008 I was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Cruz del Eje, in the north-east of Cordoba, and that relationship of being bishop in 2008 meant that we had a close episcopal relationship with Cardinal Bergoglio".

Francis has marked a new era in the history of the Catholic Church. "Although any cardinal could be named Pope, the election of Francis was experienced as a pleasant surprise of the Holy Spirit, an event that marked a moment of growth and maturity in the Universal Church," said Olivera.

This eleventh anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on Pope Francisco's achievements, challenges and continuing legacy in the Catholic Church and beyond. His teachings continue to be a beacon for many, and his impact is reflected in the way he addresses contemporary issues with a humane and sympathetic approach. "It has been a pontificate of openness, a pontificate that invited the whole Church to walk synodal paths, with a special look at the poor, walking with the poor and having precisely the origin of our reason for being which is Jesus Christ, who came for the poorest, for sinners, for the needy, and this strengthened Pope Francisco in his gestures, in his presence, in his relationship with the most unprotected or with the most, we could say, on the edge of the road of life," Bishop Olivera reflected.

His election in March 2013 was greeted with enthusiasm around the world, and since then he has had a profoundly reformist stance. His central message has been a call for a more humble Church, closer to the poor and committed to peace and justice. Through his symbolic gestures and concrete actions, he has demonstrated his commitment to the marginalised and vulnerable. "I believe that the Church and history will magnify the figure of the Pope. Undoubtedly Pope Francisco is a point of reference, he is the Vicar of Christ on Earth. As Argentines we have to feel grateful, moved and truly chosen by God because a pope from our land, a bishop of our Argentine episcopate who has travelled and walked and who has given so many teachings in our land is chosen by the Spirit, by his cardinals who elected him in the conclave, but fundamentally by the Holy Spirit, it is a reason for true gratitude," Bishop Olivera stressed.

On 12 February, His Holiness Pope Francisco received President Javier Milei in audience at the Vatican.

During the private meeting, which lasted more than an hour and set a record in the history of these meetings, the traditional exchange of gifts took place and the President of the Nation explained some of the most important points of his social policy, which is channelled through the brand new Ministry of Human Capital.

By means of a formal letter and later, ratifying it in person, President Javier Milei formally invited the Supreme Pontiff to visit our country in august of this year.