Before he became the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Jorge Mario Bergoglio—now known as Pope Francis—held a job that few would associate with a future pontiff. In his early twenties, living in Buenos Aires, he worked as a nightclub bouncer, standing at the entrance of a local bar.
A Youth Spent in Buenos Aires
Born in 1936 to Italian immigrant parents in Argentina, Bergoglio took on several jobs as a young man. Among them, he worked as a chemical technician and later as a cleaner in a factory.
Nights at the Door
The bouncer job came during a period when he was still discerning his path in life. It stood out for its contrast with his later life of religious devotion and leadership. His responsibilities included managing the entrance and helping maintain order—tasks that required calm, patience, and judgment.
Confirmed by the Pontiff Himself
He first revealed this fact in December 2013, during a casual address to a group of parishioners in Rome. Vatican officials later confirmed the detail. At the time, he used the anecdote to illustrate how no job is too humble and how all work can be a form of service and experience.
From Security to Seminary
He left the bar scene behind when he entered the Jesuit seminary in 1958, eventually becoming the first Jesuit pope in history.
Before leading the Catholic Church, Pope Francis worked as a nightclub bouncer in Buenos Aires.
This surprising job was just one of several roles Jorge Mario Bergoglio held before choosing the priesthood. The future pope once guarded bar doors at night…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/hdLNSNJiVX
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) April 21, 2025