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{{Short description|Head of the Catholic Church since 2013}}{{pp-blp|small=yes}}{{Use Oxford spelling|date=March 2024}}{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}

factoids

| birth_place = Buenos Aires, Argentina| nationality = Argentine (with Vatican citizenship)| religion = Catholic| residence = Domus Sanctae Marthae

• Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina (1973–1979)
• Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (1992–1997)
• Titular Bishop of Auca (1992–1997)
• Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1998–2013)
• Cardinal Priest of San Roberto Bellarmino (2001–2013)
• Ordinary for the Faithful of the Eastern Rites in Argentina (1998–2013)
• President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference (2005–2011)

{edih}| signature = FirmaPapaFrancisco.svg| coat_of_arms = File:Coat of arms of Franciscus.svgPress reports have provided a variety of translations for the phrase. According to Vatican Radio: “Pope Francis has chosen the motto Miserando atque eligendo, meaning lowly but chosen; literally in Latin by having mercy, by choosing him. The motto is one Francis used as bishop. It is taken from the homilies of the Bede on Gospel of Matthew>Saint Matthew’s Gospel relating to his vocation: ‘Jesus saw the tax collector and by having mercy chose him as an apostle saying to him: Follow me.{{’“}}HTTP://EN.RADIOVATICANA.VA/NEWS/2013/03/18/POPE_FRANCIS_:_MISERANDO_ATQUE_ELIGENDO.../EN1-674605 >ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20130705010045/HTTP://EN.RADIOVATICANA.VA/NEWS/2013/03/18/POPE_FRANCIS_%3A_MISERANDO_ATQUE_ELIGENDO.../EN1-674605 TITLE=POPE FRANCIS: “MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO“... LAST=SCARISBRICK PUBLISHER=VATICAN RADIO URL-STATUS=DEAD, }}| module = {{Ordination| denomination = Catholic| embed = yes|ordained deacon by =|date of diaconal ordination =|place of diaconal ordination =|ordained priest by = Ramón José Castellano|date of priestly ordination = 13 December 1969|place of priestly ordination =Antonio Quarracino>Antonio Cardinal Quarracino|co-consecrators = Ubaldo Calabresi and Emilio Ogñénovich|date of consecration = 27 June 1992|place of consecration =|elevated by = Pope John Paul II|date of elevation = 21 February 2001|sources = |bishop 1 = Horacio Ernesto Benites Astoul|consecration date 1 = 1 May 1999|bishop 2 = Jorge Rubén Lugones|consecration date 2 = 30 July 1999|bishop 3 = Jorge Eduardo Lozano|consecration date 3 = 25 March 2000|bishop 4 = Joaquín Mariano Sucunza|consecration date 4 = 21 October 2000|bishop 5 = José Antonio Gentico|consecration date 5 = 28 April 2001|bishop 6 = Fernando Carlos Maletti|consecration date 6 = 18 September 2001|bishop 7 = Andrés Stanovnik|consecration date 7 = 16 December 2001|bishop 8 = Mario Aurelio Poli|consecration date 8 = 20 April 2002|bishop 9 = Eduardo Horacio García|consecration date 9 = 16 August 2003|bishop 10 = Adolfo Armando Uriona|consecration date 10 = 8 May 2004|bishop 11 = Eduardo Maria Taussig|consecration date 11 = 25 September 2004Raúl Martín (bishop)>Raúl Martín|consecration date 12 = 20 May 2006|bishop 13 = Hugo Manuel Salaberry Goyeneche|consecration date 13 = 21 August 2006|bishop 14 = Óscar Vicente Ojea Quintana|consecration date 14 = 2 September 2006|bishop 15 = Hugo Nicolás Barbaro|consecration date 15 = 4 July 2008|bishop 16 = Enrique Eguía Seguí|consecration date 16 = 11 October 2008|bishop 17 = Ariel Edgardo Torrado Mosconi|consecration date 17 = 13 December 2008|bishop 18 = Luis Alberto Fernández Alara|consecration date 18 = 27 March 2009|bishop 19 = Vicente Bokalic Iglic|consecration date 19 = 29 May 2010|bishop 20 = Alfredo Horacio Zecca|consecration date 20 = 18 August 2011Jean-Marie Speich>Jean-Marie Antoine Joseph Speich|consecration date 21 = 24 October 2013|bishop 22 = Giampiero Gloder|consecration date 22 = 24 October 2013|bishop 23 = Fernando Vérgez Alzaga|consecration date 23 = 15 November 2013|bishop 24 = Fabio Fabene|consecration date 24 = 30 May 2014|bishop 25 = Angelo De Donatis|consecration date 25 = 9 November 2015|bishop 26 = Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot|consecration date 26 = 19 March 2016|bishop 27 = Peter Bryan Wells|consecration date 27 = 19 March 2016|bishop 28 = Waldemar StanisÅ‚aw Sommertag|consecration date 28 = 19 March 2018|bishop 29 = Alfred Xuereb|consecration date 29 = 19 March 2018|bishop 30 = José Avelino Bettencourt|consecration date 30 = 19 March 2018|bishop 31 = Alberto Ricardo Lorenzelli Rossi|consecration date 31 = 22 June 2019Michael Czerny>Michael F. Czerny|consecration date 32 = 4 October 2019|bishop 33 = Paolo Borgia|consecration date 33 = 4 October 2019Antoine Camilleri (prelate)>Antoine Camilleri|consecration date 34 = 4 October 2019|bishop 35 = Paolo Rudelli|consecration date 35 = 4 October 2019|bishop 36 = Guido Marini|consecration date 36 = 17 October 2021|bishop 37 = Andrés Gabriel Ferrada Moreira|consecration date 37 = 17 October 2021}}

• Maximum College of St. Joseph
• Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel
• Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy
• Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology

}}| honorific_suffix =}}{{Catholic Church sidebar}}Pope Francis (; ; ; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio;{{efn|Pronounced {{IPA-es|ˈxoɾxe ˈmaɾjo βeɾˈɣoÉ£ljo|}} in Spanish, and {{IPA-it|berˈɡɔʎʎo|}} in Italian.}} 17 December 1936) is the Pope and head of the Catholic Church, the bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He is the first pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century papacy of the Syrian Pope Gregory III.Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked for a time as a bouncer and a janitor as a young man before training to be a chemist and working as a technician in a food science laboratory. After recovering from a severe illness of pneumonia and cysts, he was inspired to join the Jesuits in 1958. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979 was the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. He led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina. The administrations of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner considered him to be a political rival.Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March. He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi. Throughout his public life, Francis has been noted for his humility, emphasis on God’s mercy, international visibility as pope, concern for the poor, and commitment to interreligious dialogue. He is credited with having a less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, for instance choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace used by previous popes.Francis has made women full members of dicasteries in the Roman Curia.WEB, Dallas, Kelsey, 3 October 2023, The pope’s latest comments on same-sex marriage, explained,www.deseret.com/faith/2023/10/3/23901388/pope-comments-on-same-sex-marriage, 4 October 2023, Deseret News, en, 7 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231007060808/https://www.deseret.com/faith/2023/10/3/23901388/pope-comments-on-same-sex-marriage, live, NEWS, Faiola, Andy, Boorstein, Michelle, Brady, Kate, 2 October 2023, Amid liberal revolt, pope signals openness to blessings for gay couples, en, Washington Post,www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/02/pope-francis-gay-blessings-synod/, 7 October 2023, 4 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231004142753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/02/pope-francis-gay-blessings-synod/, live, He maintains that the Catholic Church should be more sympathetic toward members of the LGBT community and has permitted the blessings of same-sex couples, so long as the blessing does not resemble a marriage.WEB, Graham, Ruth, Harmon, Amy, 18 December 2023, American Catholics Split on Pope’s Blessing for Gay Couples,www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/us/pope-francis-lgbtq-catholic.html, 19 December 2023, The New York Times, 19 December 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231219223700/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/us/pope-francis-lgbtq-catholic.html, live, Francis is a critic of unbridled capitalism, consumerism, and overdevelopment;WEB, Davies, Lizzy, 15 December 2013, Pope says he is not a Marxist, but defends criticism of capitalism,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/15/pope-francis-defends-criticism-of-capitalism-not-marxist, live,web.archive.org/web/20131215222912/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/15/pope-francis-defends-criticism-of-capitalism-not-marxist, 15 December 2013, The Guardian, Rome, Italy, he has made action on climate change a leading focus of his papacy.WEB, Sherwood, Harriet, 7 September 2021, Christian leaders unite to issue stark warning over climate crisis,www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/christian-leaders-unite-to-issue-stark-warning-over-climate-crisis, 7 September 2021, The Guardian, en, 7 September 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210907121928/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/christian-leaders-unite-to-issue-stark-warning-over-climate-crisis, live, Widely interpreted as denouncing the death penalty as intrinsically evil,WEB, Trabbic, Joseph G., 16 August 2018, Capital punishment: Intrinsically evil or morally permissible?,www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/08/16/capital-punishment-intrinsically-evil-or-morally-permissible/, 4 October 2023, Catholic World Report, en-US, 23 December 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231223000529/https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/08/16/capital-punishment-intrinsically-evil-or-morally-permissible/, live, he has termed it “an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person”, “inadmissible”, and committed the Church to its abolition,WEB, New revision of number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty – Rescriptum “ex Audentia SS.mi”,press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/08/02/180802a.html, 1 October 2023, press.vatican.va, 4 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231004013124/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/08/02/180802a.html, live, saying that there can be “no going back from this position”.In international diplomacy, Francis has criticized the rise of right-wing populism, called for the decriminalization of homosexuality,WEB, 25 January 2023, The AP Interview: Pope Francis: Homosexuality not a crime,apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212, 25 January 2023, Associated Press, AP News, en, 25 January 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230125071151/https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212, live, helped to restore full diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, negotiated a deal with China to define how much influence the Communist Party has in appointing Chinese bishops, and has supported the cause of refugees during the European and Central American migrant crises, calling on the Western World to significantly increase immigration levels.WEB, Rocca, Francis X., 22 September 2023, Pope Francis Calls Protection of Migrants a Duty of Civilization,www.wsj.com/world/europe/pope-faces-down-growing-backlash-against-migrants-in-europe-390ad042, 4 October 2023, WSJ, en-US, 30 September 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230930183750/https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/pope-faces-down-growing-backlash-against-migrants-in-europe-390ad042, live, NEWS, Lauter, David, Bierman, Noah, 18 February 2016, Trump and Pope Francis clash over immigration, another extraordinary campaign twist, Los Angeles Times,www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pope-on-trump-wall-20160218-story.html, 20 April 2018, 20 June 2018,www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pope-on-trump-wall-20160218-story.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20180620153341www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pope-on-trump-wall-20160218-story.html,">web.archive.org/web/20180620153341www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pope-on-trump-wall-20160218-story.html, live, In 2022, he apologized for the Church’s role in the “cultural genocide” of the Canadian indigenous peoples.NEWS, Horowitz, Jason, 30 July 2022, Francis Calls Abuse of Indigenous People in Canada a ‘Genocide’, en-US, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/world/americas/pope-francis-canada-genocide.html, 7 October 2023, 0362-4331, 7 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231107101356/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/world/americas/pope-francis-canada-genocide.html, live, On 4 October 2023, Francis convened the beginnings of the Synod on Synodality, described as the culmination of his papacy and the most important event in the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council.NEWS, Horowitz, Jason, Povoledo, Elisabetta, 2 October 2023, What Is a Synod in the Catholic Church? And Why Does This One Matter?, en-US, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/what-is-a-synod-pope-church.html, 7 October 2023, 0362-4331, 13 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231113215348/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/what-is-a-synod-pope-church.html, live, NEWS, Horowitz, Jason, 2 October 2023, Vatican Assembly Puts the Church’s Most Sensitive Issues on the Table, en-US, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/pope-francis-synod.html, 7 October 2023, 0362-4331, 7 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231007051525/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/pope-francis-synod.html, live,

Early years

(File:Jorge Mario Bergoglio attended a salesian school between 1948 and 1949.jpg|thumb|Jorge Mario Bergoglio (fourth boy from the left in the third row from the top) at age 12, Salesian College (c. 1948–49))Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936WEB, Direttorju Ekklezjastiku 2016,ms.maltadiocese.org/WEBSITE/2016/DIRETTORJU2016.pdf, 30 June 2016, The Church in Malta, mt, en, 1–2,ms.maltadiocese.org/WEBSITE/2016/DIRETTORJU2016.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20161122212612ms.maltadiocese.org/WEBSITE/2016/DIRETTORJU2016.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20161122212612ms.maltadiocese.org/WEBSITE/2016/DIRETTORJU2016.pdf, 22 November 2016, in Flores, a neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. He was the eldest of five children of Mario José Bergoglio (1908–1959) and Regina María Sívori (1911–1981). Mario Bergoglio was an Italian immigrant accountant born in Portacomaro (Province of Asti) in Italy’s Piedmont region. Regina Sívori was a housewife born in Buenos Aires to a family of northern Italian (Piedmontese-Genoese) origin. Mario José’s family left Italy in 1929 to escape the fascist rule of Benito Mussolini.{{sfn|Rosales|Olivera|2013|p=5}} According to María Elena Bergoglio (born 1948), the pope’s only living sibling, they did not emigrate for economic reasons. His other siblings were Oscar Adrián (1938–deceased), Marta Regina (1940–2007), and Alberto Horacio (1942–2010).NEWS,www.lanacion.com.ar/1563022-los-bergoglio-la-familia-mas-sorprendida, Los Bergoglio, la familia más sorprendida, The Bergoglio, the most surprised family, es, 14 March 2013, La Nación, 22 April 2015, 10 January 2016,www.lanacion.com.ar/1563022-los-bergoglio-la-familia-mas-sorprendida," title="web.archive.org/web/20160110202837www.lanacion.com.ar/1563022-los-bergoglio-la-familia-mas-sorprendida,">web.archive.org/web/20160110202837www.lanacion.com.ar/1563022-los-bergoglio-la-familia-mas-sorprendida, dead, BOOK,books.google.com/books?id=uDekDwAAQBAJ&q=Oscar+Adrian+Bergoglio+1938&pg=PA12, People’s Pope, Holanda, Helládio, 24 May 2019, Clube de Autores (managed), pt-PT, 19 October 2020, 10 March 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240310114925/https://books.google.com/books?id=uDekDwAAQBAJ&q=Oscar+Adrian+Bergoglio+1938&pg=PA12#v=snippet&q=Oscar%20Adrian%20Bergoglio%201938&f=false, live, Two great-nephews, Antonio and Joseph, died in a traffic collision. His niece, Cristina Bergoglio, is a painter based in Madrid, Spain.WEB,www.elmundo.es/loc/2015/03/29/55159452e2704e25158b457b.html, La sobrina ‘artista’ del Papa presenta su obra en Madrid, El Mundo, 3 March 2015, 20 March 2020, 8 March 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210308040430/https://www.elmundo.es/loc/2015/03/29/55159452e2704e25158b457b.html, live, WEB,www.antena3.com/se-estrena/noticias/escribir-pincel-documental-obra-pictorica-cristina-bergoglio-sobrina-papa-francisco_201906245d14ce060cf2ee729a41cf22.html, ‘Escribir con el pincel’, el documental sobre la obra pictórica de Cristina Bergoglio, la sobrina del Papa Francisco, Se Estrena, Antena 3 (Spanish TV channel), Antena 3, 27 June 2019, 20 March 2020, 8 March 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210308095718/https://www.antena3.com/se-estrena/noticias/escribir-pincel-documental-obra-pictorica-cristina-bergoglio-sobrina-papa-francisco_201906245d14ce060cf2ee729a41cf22.html, live, In the sixth grade, Bergoglio attended Wilfrid Barón de los Santos Ángeles, a school of the Salesians of Don Bosco, in Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires Province. He attended the technical secondary school Escuela Técnica Industrial Nº 27 Hipólito Yrigoyen, named after a past Argentine president, and graduated with a chemical technician’s diploma.WEB,www.ncronline.org/blogs/does-pope-francis-have-masters-degree-chemistry, Does Pope Francis have a master’s degree in chemistry?, 3 June 2015, National Catholic Reporter, 25 April 2019, 20 March 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210320133457/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/does-pope-francis-have-masters-degree-chemistry, live, WEB,www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-holy-ce/, Fact Check: False: Pope Francis Has a Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Snopes.com, 4 June 2015, 25 April 2019, 28 January 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220128020611/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-holy-ce/, live, In that capacity, he spent several years working in the food section of Hickethier-Bachmann Laboratory, where he worked under Esther Ballestrino. Earlier, he was a bouncer and a janitor.When he was 21 years old, after life-threatening pneumonia and three cysts, Bergoglio had part of a lung excised.

Jesuit (1958–2013)

Bergoglio found his vocation to the priesthood while he was on his way to celebrate the Spring Day. He passed by a church to go to confession, and was inspired by the priest.Sergio Rubin; Francesca Ambrogetti, Pope Francis – Conversations with Jorge Bergoglio. pp. 45–46 Bergoglio studied at the archdiocesan seminary, Inmaculada Concepción Seminary, in Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires, and, after three years, entered the Society of Jesus as a novice on 11 March 1958. Bergoglio has said that, as a young seminarian, he had a crush on a girl he met and briefly doubted about continuing the religious career.NEWS, 20 March 2013, Pope Francis Spoke of Being ‘Dazzled’ by Girl, Possible Change of Celibacy Rule, Balitang America, NBC News,balitangamerica.tv/pope-francis-spoke-of-being-dazzled-by-girl-possible-change-of-celibacy-rule/,web.archive.org/web/20190308004414/https://balitangamerica.tv/pope-francis-spoke-of-being-dazzled-by-girl-possible-change-of-celibacy-rule/, 8 March 2019, As a Jesuit novice he studied humanities in Santiago, Chile.NEWS, En 1958, Bergoglio hizo su noviciado en Chile, es,www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Nacional/2013/03/829934/En-1958-Bergoglio-hizo-su-noviciado-en-Chile, 19 March 2013, La Segunda, 13 March 2013, 18 March 2013,www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Nacional/2013/03/829934/En-1958-Bergoglio-hizo-su-noviciado-en-Chile," title="web.archive.org/web/20130318032737www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Nacional/2013/03/829934/En-1958-Bergoglio-hizo-su-noviciado-en-Chile,">web.archive.org/web/20130318032737www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Nacional/2013/03/829934/En-1958-Bergoglio-hizo-su-noviciado-en-Chile, live, After his novitiate in the Society of Jesus, Bergoglio officially became a Jesuit on 12 March 1960, when he made the religious profession of the initial, perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience of a member of the order.Lanser, p. 96Rosales & Olivera, p. 42In 1960, Bergoglio obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio Máximo de San José in San Miguel, Buenos Aires Province. He taught literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, a high school in Santa Fe, from 1964 to 1965. In 1966, he taught the same courses at the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires.WEB,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio.html, Biography of the Holy Father Francis, The Holy See, 15 May 2015, 15 March 2021,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20210315031550www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio.html,">web.archive.org/web/20210315031550www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio.html, live,

Presbyterate (1969–1992)

In 1967 Bergoglio began his theological studies at Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel and on 13 December 1969 was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. He served as the master of novices for the province there and became a professor of theology.NEWS, Biografía: ¿Quién es Jorge Bergoglio?,www.news.va/es/news/biografia-quien-es-jorge-mario-bergoglio, 8 May 2015, Vatican, 13 March 2013, 14 March 2013,www.news.va/es/news/biografia-quien-es-jorge-mario-bergoglio," title="web.archive.org/web/20130314204037www.news.va/es/news/biografia-quien-es-jorge-mario-bergoglio,">web.archive.org/web/20130314204037www.news.va/es/news/biografia-quien-es-jorge-mario-bergoglio, dead, Bergoglio completed his final stage of spiritual training as a Jesuit, tertianship, at Alcalá de Henares, Spain, and took final, solemn vows as a Jesuit, including the fourth vow of obedience to missioning by the pope, on 22 April 1973. He was named provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina that July, for a six-year term which ended in 1979.WEB,www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-b.htm#Bergoglio,www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-b.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20140318051517www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-b.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20140318051517www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-b.htm, 18 March 2014, The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church â€“ Biographies â€“ A, Florida International University, 19 March 2013, dead, In 1973, shortly after being named provincial superior, he had made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem but his stay was shortened by the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War.WEB,www.lastampa.it/2014/03/29/esteri/vatican-insider/en/why-bergoglio-travels-so-little-NbBzQ8c3DvALud1JCTH5HP/pagina.html, Why Bergoglio travels so little, 29 March 2014, Vatican Insider, 6 May 2014, 6 October 2014,www.lastampa.it/2014/03/29/esteri/vatican-insider/en/why-bergoglio-travels-so-little-NbBzQ8c3DvALud1JCTH5HP/pagina.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20141006082919www.lastampa.it/2014/03/29/esteri/vatican-insider/en/why-bergoglio-travels-so-little-NbBzQ8c3DvALud1JCTH5HP/pagina.html,">web.archive.org/web/20141006082919www.lastampa.it/2014/03/29/esteri/vatican-insider/en/why-bergoglio-travels-so-little-NbBzQ8c3DvALud1JCTH5HP/pagina.html, dead, After the completion of his term of office, in 1980 he was named the rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel where he had studied.The Vatican Today, 13 March 2013, Biography: who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio? {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018141414www.news.va/en/news/biography-who-is-jorge-mario-bergoglio |date=18 October 2017 }}. Retrieved 6 April 2013 Before taking up this new appointment, he spent the first three months of 1980 in Ireland to learn English, staying at the Jesuit Centre at the Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Dublin.The Irish Independent, 30 March 2013, weblink {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110130508www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-year-pope-francis-came-to-live-in-dublin-29163804.html|date=10 November 2013}}. Retrieved 10 November 2013 He served at San Miguel for six years until 1986 when, at the discretion of Jesuit superior-general Peter Hans Kolvenbach, he was replaced by someone more in tune with the worldwide trend in the Society of Jesus toward emphasizing social justice, rather than his emphasis on popular religiosity and direct pastoral work.Austen Ivereigh, The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope, Henry Holt 2014He spent several months at the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology in Frankfurt, Germany, considering possible dissertation topics.WEB, Neuigkeiten 14.03,www.sankt-georgen.de/, Hochschule, Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen, 14 March 2013, ...einige Monate in Sankt Georgen verbrachte, um sich mit einzelnen Professoren über ein Dissertationsprojekt zu beraten. Zu einem Abschluss in Sankt Georgen ist es nicht gekommen., 12 April 2013,www.sankt-georgen.de/nachrichten/nachrichten.html," title="archive.today/20130412091638www.sankt-georgen.de/nachrichten/nachrichten.html,">archive.today/20130412091638www.sankt-georgen.de/nachrichten/nachrichten.html, live, He settled on exploring the work of the German / Italian theologian Romano Guardini, particularly his study of ‘Contrast’ published in his 1925 work Der Gegensatz. He returned to Argentina earlier than expected to serve as a confessor and spiritual director to the Jesuit community in Córdoba.NEWS, Biografía de Jorge Bergoglio, es,www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/86958, 14 March 2013, El Litoral, 14 March 2013, 15 March 2013,www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/86958," title="web.archive.org/web/20130315233601www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/86958,">web.archive.org/web/20130315233601www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/86958, dead, It was believed that while in Germany, he saw the painting of Mary, Untier of Knots in Augsburg and brought a copy of the painting to Argentina, but in an interview for the German newsweekly Die Zeit in 2017, Pope Francis stated that he had never been to Augsburg.NEWS, Ich kenne auch die leeren Momente” Was bedeutet Glaube? Ein ZEIT-Gespräch mit Papst Franziskus.,www.zeit.de/2017/11/papst-franziskus-vatikan-katholische-kirche-interview,web.archive.org/web/20170726123339/https://www.zeit.de/2017/11/papst-franziskus-vatikan-katholische-kirche-interview, dead, 26 July 2017, 25 April 2020, die Zeit, 6 April 2017, {{efn|This devotion has since spread to Brazil; it “attracts people with small problems”.NEWS, Bellos, Alex, Virgin painting ties Brazilians in knots,www.theguardian.com/world/2001/dec/24/alexbellos, 14 March 2013, The Guardian, 23 December 2001, London, 25 August 2013,www.theguardian.com/world/2001/dec/24/alexbellos," title="web.archive.org/web/20130825230223www.theguardian.com/world/2001/dec/24/alexbellos,">web.archive.org/web/20130825230223www.theguardian.com/world/2001/dec/24/alexbellos, live, Bergoglio had an image of Mary Untier of Knots inscribed on a chalice he presented to Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.NEWS, Jiménez, Pablo, The Pope’s chalice: silver-made, austere and featuring Our Lady of Luján,www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126383/the-popes-chalice-silvermade-austere-and-featuring-our-lady-of-luj%C3%A1n, 14 March 2013, Buenos Aires Herald, 14 March 2013, 17 March 2013,www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126383/the-popes-chalice-silvermade-austere-and-featuring-our-lady-of-luj%C3%A1n," title="web.archive.org/web/20130317114309www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126383/the-popes-chalice-silvermade-austere-and-featuring-our-lady-of-luj%C3%A1n,">web.archive.org/web/20130317114309www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126383/the-popes-chalice-silvermade-austere-and-featuring-our-lady-of-luj%C3%A1n, dead, }} As a student at the Salesian school, Bergoglio was mentored by Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest Stefan Czmil. Bergoglio often rose hours before his classmates to serve Divine Liturgy for Czmil.Paul Vallely, Pope Francis: Untying the Knots, Bloomsbury, 2013NEWS, Shkodziska, Oksana, Patriarch Sviatoslav: Newly Elected Pope Knows Ukrainian Catholic Church, its Liturgy and Spirituality,risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/catholics/ugcc/51592, Religious Information Service of Ukraine, 13 March 2013, 15 March 2013, 17 March 2013,risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/catholics/ugcc/51592," title="web.archive.org/web/20130317063725risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/catholics/ugcc/51592,">web.archive.org/web/20130317063725risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/catholics/ugcc/51592, live, Bergoglio was asked in 1992 by Jesuit authorities not to reside in Jesuit houses, because of continued tensions with Jesuit leaders and scholars, a sense of Bergoglio’s “dissent”, views of his Catholic orthodoxy and his opposition to theology of liberation, and his work as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires.WEB,www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/understand-pope-francis-look-jesuits, To understand Pope Francis, look to the Jesuits, 12 March 2014, ncronline.org, 29 October 2016, 28 August 2016,web.archive.org/web/20160828172510/https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/understand-pope-francis-look-jesuits, live, WEB,www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2015/01/07/4158763.htm, Setting the Record Straight on Pope Francis: A Reply to Frank Brennan, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 7 January 2015, 21 July 2015, 24 May 2015,www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2015/01/07/4158763.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20150524004542www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2015/01/07/4158763.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20150524004542www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2015/01/07/4158763.htm, live, BOOK, Vallely, Paul,books.google.com/books?id=JQQoAAAAQBAJ&q=pope+francis+hans+kolvenbach&pg=PA60, Pope Francis: Untying the knots, C Black, 2013, 978-1-4729-0372-3, en, 19 October 2020, 10 March 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240310114849/https://books.google.com/books?id=JQQoAAAAQBAJ&q=pope+francis+hans+kolvenbach&pg=PA60#v=snippet&q=pope%20francis%20hans%20kolvenbach&f=false, live, As a bishop he was no longer subject to his Jesuit superior.WEB, 18 March 2013, Is Pope Francis still a Jesuit?,www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-francis-still-jesuit, 6 September 2020, National Catholic Reporter, en, 12 November 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201112000851/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-francis-still-jesuit, live, From then on, he did not visit Jesuit houses and was in “virtual estrangement from the Jesuits” until after his election as pope.

Pre-papal episcopate (1992–2013)

Bergoglio was named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and consecrated on 27 June 1992 as titular bishop of Auca,The titular see of Auca, established in 1969, is seated at Villafranca Montes de Oca, Spain: Titular See of Auca, Spain {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222184219www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t0229.htm |date=22 December 2017 }}. with Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, archbishop of Buenos Aires, serving as principal consecrator.WEB, Bergoglio, Jorge Mario,www.aica.org/guia-s-T2Jpc3Bvcw==-91, es, Breve biografía de obispos, La Agencia Informativa Católica Argentina, 15 March 2013, 12 March 2016,aica.org/guia-s-t2jpc3bvcw==-91," title="web.archive.org/web/20160312140844aica.org/guia-s-t2jpc3bvcw==-91,">web.archive.org/web/20160312140844aica.org/guia-s-t2jpc3bvcw==-91, dead, He chose as his episcopal motto Miserando atque eligendo.NEWS,www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-14/francis-toughened-by-argentine-politics-ready-for-papal-test.html, Francis Toughened by Argentine Politics Ready for Papal Test, Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 15 March 2013, 16 March 2013,www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-14/francis-toughened-by-argentine-politics-ready-for-papal-test.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316192345www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-14/francis-toughened-by-argentine-politics-ready-for-papal-test.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130316192345www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-14/francis-toughened-by-argentine-politics-ready-for-papal-test.html, live, It is drawn from Saint Bede’s homily on Matthew 9:9–13: “because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him”.WEB,www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301207.htm,www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301207.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20130317181215www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301207.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20130317181215www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301207.htm, dead, 17 March 2013, Pope’s episcopal motto comes from homily by English doctor of church, Glatz, Carol, 15 March 2013, Catholic News Service, 16 March 2013, On 3 June 1997, Bergoglio was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires with right of succession. Upon Quarracino’s death on 28 February 1998, Bergoglio became metropolitan archbishop of Buenos Aires. In that role, Bergoglio created new parishes and restructured the archdiocese administrative offices, led pro-life initiatives, and created a commission on divorces.WEB, Jesuit Argentine Cardinal Bergoglio elected pope, takes name Francis,www.jesuit.org/2013/03/13/jesuit-argentine-cardinal-jesuit-bergoglio-elected-pope-takes-name-francis-i,www.jesuit.org/2013/03/13/jesuit-argentine-cardinal-jesuit-bergoglio-elected-pope-takes-name-francis-i," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316025854www.jesuit.org/2013/03/13/jesuit-argentine-cardinal-jesuit-bergoglio-elected-pope-takes-name-francis-i,">web.archive.org/web/20130316025854www.jesuit.org/2013/03/13/jesuit-argentine-cardinal-jesuit-bergoglio-elected-pope-takes-name-francis-i, 16 March 2013, jesuit.org, 16 March 2013, One of Bergoglio’s major initiatives as archbishop was to increase the church’s presence in the slums of Buenos Aires. Under his leadership, the number of priests assigned to work in the slums doubled.MAGAZINE,www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/slum-priests-pope-franciss-early-years/274201/, Haley Cohen, “Slum Priest: Pope Francis’ Early Year”, The Atlantic, 20 March 2013, The Atlantic, 20 March 2013, 23 June 2013, 1 July 2013,www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/slum-priests-pope-franciss-early-years/274201/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130701142605www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/slum-priests-pope-franciss-early-years/274201/,">web.archive.org/web/20130701142605www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/slum-priests-pope-franciss-early-years/274201/, live, This work led to him being called the “Slum Bishop”.NEWS,articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-09/features/sns-rt-us-pope-un-20140509_1_pope-francis-first-non-european-pope-united-nations, U.N. should encourage redistribution of wealth, pope says, Reuters, 9 May 2014, 8 November 2014, Puella, Phillip, 9 November 2014,articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-09/features/sns-rt-us-pope-un-20140509_1_pope-francis-first-non-european-pope-united-nations," title="web.archive.org/web/20141109031856articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-09/features/sns-rt-us-pope-un-20140509_1_pope-francis-first-non-european-pope-united-nations,">web.archive.org/web/20141109031856articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-09/features/sns-rt-us-pope-un-20140509_1_pope-francis-first-non-european-pope-united-nations, live, Early in his time as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio sold off the archdiocese’s shares in multiple banks and turned its accounts into those of a normal customer in international banks. The shares in banks had led the local church to a propensity toward high spending and the archdiocese was consequently nearly bankrupt. As a normal customer of the bank, the church was forced into a higher fiscal discipline.NEWS, Coday, Dennis,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/former-aide-says-francis-may-close-vatican-bank, John Allen, “Former aide says Francis may close Vatican Bank”, National Catholic Reporter, 4 April 2013, 23 June 2013, 10 July 2013,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/former-aide-says-francis-may-close-vatican-bank," title="web.archive.org/web/20130710015333ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/former-aide-says-francis-may-close-vatican-bank,">web.archive.org/web/20130710015333ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/former-aide-says-francis-may-close-vatican-bank, live, On 6 November 1998, while remaining archbishop of Buenos Aires, he was named ordinary for those Eastern Catholics in Argentina who lacked a prelate of their own church. Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said that Bergoglio understands the liturgy, rites, and spirituality of Shevchuk’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and always “took care of our Church in Argentina” as ordinary for Eastern Catholics during his time as archbishop of Buenos Aires.In 2000, Bergoglio was the only church official to reconcile with Jerónimo Podestá, a former bishop who had been suspended as a priest after opposing the Argentine Revolution military dictatorship in 1972. He defended Podestá’s wife from Vatican attacks on their marriage.NEWS, Magister, Sandro, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Profession: Servant of the Servants of God,chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y, 16 March 2013, L’espresso, Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso, Rome, Italy, 2 December 2002, 16 March 2013,chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316052340chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y,">web.archive.org/web/20130316052340chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y, live, NEWS, Margaret, Hebblethwaite, The Pope Francis I know,www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/the-pope-francis-i-know, 16 March 2013, The Guardian, 14 March 2013, London, England, Luro talked to me at length about her friend, of whom she has the highest opinion, and told me how she would write to him almost weekly, and he would always reply by ringing her up and having a short chat. When Podesta was dying, Bergoglio was the only Catholic cleric who went to visit him in hospital, and, when he died, the only one who showed public recognition of his great contribution to the Argentinian church., 26 September 2013,www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/the-pope-francis-i-know," title="web.archive.org/web/20130926235557www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/the-pope-francis-i-know,">web.archive.org/web/20130926235557www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/the-pope-francis-i-know, live, NEWS, Stella, Calloni, Acusado de tener vínculos con la dictadura; la derecha lo defiende, es,www.jornada.unam.mx/2013/03/14/politica/004n1pol, La Jornada, Desarrollo de Medios S.A. de C.V, Mexico City, Mexico, 13 March 2013, 27 October 2018, 16 March 2013,www.jornada.unam.mx/2013/03/14/politica/004n1pol," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316234306www.jornada.unam.mx/2013/03/14/politica/004n1pol,">web.archive.org/web/20130316234306www.jornada.unam.mx/2013/03/14/politica/004n1pol, live, That same year, Bergoglio said the Argentine Catholic Church needed “to put on garments of public penance for the sins committed during the years of the dictatorship” in the 1970s, during the Dirty War.NEWS, Magister, Sandro, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Profession: Servant of the Servants of God,chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y, L’espresso, Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso, Rome, Italy, 2 December 2002, 16 March 2013, 16 March 2013,chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316052340chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y,">web.archive.org/web/20130316052340chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y, live, Bergoglio made it his custom to celebrate the Holy Thursday ritual washing of feet in places such as jails, hospitals, retirement homes or slums.NEWS, Philip, Pullella, Pope to hold major Holy Week service in youth jail,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-jail-idUSBRE92K0CF20130321, Reuters, London, 21 March 2013, 22 March 2013, 10 January 2016,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-jail-idUSBRE92K0CF20130321," title="web.archive.org/web/20160110202839www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-jail-idUSBRE92K0CF20130321,">web.archive.org/web/20160110202839www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-jail-idUSBRE92K0CF20130321, live, In 2007, just two days after Benedict XVI issued new rules for using the liturgical forms that preceded the Second Vatican Council, Cardinal Bergoglio established a fixed place for a weekly Mass in this extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.Sergio Rubin, “Regresó la misa en latín, con mujeres cubiertas por mantillas”. Clarin.(17 September 2007). Archived. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925115753www.clarin.com/sociedad/regreso-misa-latin-mujeres-cubiertas-mantillas_0_rJHgqqkkAFg.html |date=25 September 2019 }}. It was celebrated weekly.NEWS, El latín volvió a las misas,www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=31360, Línea Capital, 14 March 2013, 17 September 2007, es, 29 October 2013,www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=31360," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029190531www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=31360,">web.archive.org/web/20131029190531www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=31360, dead, On 8 November 2005, Bergoglio was elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three-year term (2005–08).NEWS, Elige Sus Nuevas Autoridades La Conferencia Episcopal,www.mercedesya.com.ar/noticias/30008397-elige-sus-nuevas-autoridades-la-conferencia-episcopal.htm, 21 March 2013, Mercedes Ya, 7 November 2005, 29 October 2013,www.mercedesya.com.ar/noticias/30008397-elige-sus-nuevas-autoridades-la-conferencia-episcopal.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029193258www.mercedesya.com.ar/noticias/30008397-elige-sus-nuevas-autoridades-la-conferencia-episcopal.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20131029193258www.mercedesya.com.ar/noticias/30008397-elige-sus-nuevas-autoridades-la-conferencia-episcopal.htm, live, He was reelected to another three-year term on 11 November 2008.NEWS, El cardenal Bergoglio fue reelegido frente a la Conferencia Episcopal,www.derf.com.ar/noticias.asp?cod_des=232534&ID_Seccion=33&fecemi=11/11/2008&, 21 March 2013, DERF, 11 November 2008,www.derf.com.ar/noticias.asp?cod_des=232534&ID_Seccion=33&fecemi=11%2F11%2F2008&," title="web.archive.org/web/20130522051308www.derf.com.ar/noticias.asp?cod_des=232534&ID_Seccion=33&fecemi=11%2F11%2F2008&,">web.archive.org/web/20130522051308www.derf.com.ar/noticias.asp?cod_des=232534&ID_Seccion=33&fecemi=11%2F11%2F2008&, 22 May 2013, dead, He remained a member of that commission’s permanent governing body, president of its committee for the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, and a member of its liturgy committee for the care of shrines. While head of the Argentine Catholic bishops’ conference, Bergoglio issued a collective apology for his church’s failure to protect people from the Junta during the Dirty War.NEWS, Speciale, Alessandro, Vatican defends Pope Francis’ actions during Argentina’s ‘Dirty War’,www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/vatican-defends-pope-francis-actions-during-argentinasdirty-war/2013/03/15/070f5324-8db5-11e2-adca-74ab31da3399_story.html, 16 March 2013, The Washington Post, 15 March 2013, 17 March 2015,www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/vatican-defends-pope-francis-actions-during-argentinasdirty-war/2013/03/15/070f5324-8db5-11e2-adca-74ab31da3399_story.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150317070611www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/vatican-defends-pope-francis-actions-during-argentinasdirty-war/2013/03/15/070f5324-8db5-11e2-adca-74ab31da3399_story.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150317070611www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/vatican-defends-pope-francis-actions-during-argentinasdirty-war/2013/03/15/070f5324-8db5-11e2-adca-74ab31da3399_story.html, live, When he turned 75 in December 2011, Bergoglio submitted his resignation as archbishop of Buenos Aires to Pope Benedict XVI as required by canon law. Still, as he had no coadjutor archbishop, he stayed in office, waiting for an eventual replacement appointed by the Vatican.NEWS, Bergoglio presenta su renuncia como arzobispo de Buenos Aires, aunque seguirá en el cargo,noticias.terra.com.ar/politica/bergoglio-presenta-su-renuncia-como-arzobispo-de-buenos-aires-aunque-seguira-en-el-cargo,148ef548c2444310VgnVCM20000099f154d0RCRD.html, 22 March 2013, Terra Noticias, 15 December 2011, 1 July 2014,noticias.terra.com.ar/politica/bergoglio-presenta-su-renuncia-como-arzobispo-de-buenos-aires-aunque-seguira-en-el-cargo,148ef548c2444310VgnVCM20000099f154d0RCRD.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140701073209noticias.terra.com.ar/politica/bergoglio-presenta-su-renuncia-como-arzobispo-de-buenos-aires-aunque-seguira-en-el-cargo,148ef548c2444310VgnVCM20000099f154d0RCRD.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140701073209noticias.terra.com.ar/politica/bergoglio-presenta-su-renuncia-como-arzobispo-de-buenos-aires-aunque-seguira-en-el-cargo,148ef548c2444310VgnVCM20000099f154d0RCRD.html, dead,

Cardinalate (2001–2013)

File:Catéchèse 18 juin 2008 par le cardinal Bergoglio -2.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|right|Bergoglio on 18 June 2008 giving a catechesiscatechesisAt the consistory of 21 February 2001, Archbishop Bergoglio was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II with the title of cardinal priest of San Roberto Bellarmino, a church served by Jesuits and named for one; he was formally installed in that church the following 14 October. When he travelled to Rome for the ceremony, he and his sister María Elena visited the village in northern Italy where their father was born.NEWS, Jorge is against regimes. It is because of fascism that our father emigrated,www.lastampa.it/2013/03/17/esteri/vatican-insider/en/translate-to-english-jorge-e-contro-i-regimi-colpa-del-fascismo-se-nostro-padre-emigro-dsLa2d3qBmg6w2j0djj5qK/pagina.html, 18 March 2013, La Stampa, 17 March 2013, 10 January 2016,www.lastampa.it/2013/03/17/esteri/vatican-insider/en/translate-to-english-jorge-e-contro-i-regimi-colpa-del-fascismo-se-nostro-padre-emigro-dsLa2d3qBmg6w2j0djj5qK/pagina.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20160110202838www.lastampa.it/2013/03/17/esteri/vatican-insider/en/translate-to-english-jorge-e-contro-i-regimi-colpa-del-fascismo-se-nostro-padre-emigro-dsLa2d3qBmg6w2j0djj5qK/pagina.html,">web.archive.org/web/20160110202838www.lastampa.it/2013/03/17/esteri/vatican-insider/en/translate-to-english-jorge-e-contro-i-regimi-colpa-del-fascismo-se-nostro-padre-emigro-dsLa2d3qBmg6w2j0djj5qK/pagina.html, dead, As cardinal, Bergoglio was appointed to five administrative positions in the Roman Curia. He was a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Congregation for the Clergy, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Commission for Latin America. Later that year, when Cardinal Edward Egan returned to New York following the September 11 attacks, Bergoglio replaced him as relator (recording secretary) in the Synod of Bishops,WEB, X Ordinary General Assembly (30 September â€“ 27 October 2001),press.catholica.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sinodo_indice_en.html,press.catholica.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sinodo_indice_en.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20110219231945press.catholica.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sinodo_indice_en.html,">web.archive.org/web/20110219231945press.catholica.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sinodo_indice_en.html, 19 February 2011, Synod of Bishops, Holy See, 14 April 2013, and, according to the Catholic Herald, created “a favourable impression as a man open to communion and dialogue”.NEWS, Poirier, José Maria, Features Quiet thunder in Argentina,www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2013/03/13/quiet-thunder-in-argentina/, 18 March 2013, Catholic Herald, 13 March 2013,www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2013/03/13/quiet-thunder-in-argentina/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130319001817www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2013/03/13/quiet-thunder-in-argentina/,">web.archive.org/web/20130319001817www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2013/03/13/quiet-thunder-in-argentina/, 19 March 2013, dead, NEWS, Synodus Episcoporum Bulletin 30 September â€“ 27 October 2001, 27 October 2001,www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b33_02.html, 14 March 2013, Holy See Press Office, 5 November 2013,www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b33_02.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131105215701www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b33_02.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131105215701www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b33_02.html, live, (File:Card. Jorge Bergoglio SJ, 2008.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in 2008)Cardinal Bergoglio became known for personal humility, doctrinal conservatism, and a commitment to social justice. A simple lifestyle contributed to his reputation for humility. He lived in a small apartment, rather than in the elegant bishop’s residence in the suburb of Olivos. He took public transportation and cooked his own meals.NEWS, Rubin, Sergio, ‘El Jesuita,’ biography of Jorge Bergoglio, tells of Pope Francis’ humble beginnings in the church that he maintained throughout his cardinalship,www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-francis-humble-affable-servant-article-1.1288163, 18 March 2013, Daily News, New York, 14 March 2013, 18 March 2013,www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-francis-humble-affable-servant-article-1.1288163," title="web.archive.org/web/20130318050915www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-francis-humble-affable-servant-article-1.1288163,">web.archive.org/web/20130318050915www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-francis-humble-affable-servant-article-1.1288163, live, He limited his time in Rome to “lightning visits”.NEWS,www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_16457_l3.htm, What I would have said at the Consistory, Falasca, Sefania, November 2007, 30 Giorni, 15 March 2013, 12 July 2018,www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_16457_l3.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20180712154526www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_16457_l3.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20180712154526www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_16457_l3.htm, live, He was devoted to St. Thérèse of Lisieux and enclosed a small picture of her in the letters he wrote, calling her “a great missionary saint”.WEB, Maureen O’Riordan,www.thereseoflisieux.org/my-blog-about-st-therese/2013/5/3/pope-francis-and-saint-therese-of-lisieux-to-depend-solely-o.html, Saint Therese of Lisieux – “Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway” Blog – Pope Francis and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: “To depend solely on the tenderness of God”, Thérèse of Lisieux, 27 December 2013, 29 October 2013,www.thereseoflisieux.org/my-blog-about-st-therese/2013/5/3/pope-francis-and-saint-therese-of-lisieux-to-depend-solely-o.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131029191556www.thereseoflisieux.org/my-blog-about-st-therese/2013/5/3/pope-francis-and-saint-therese-of-lisieux-to-depend-solely-o.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131029191556www.thereseoflisieux.org/my-blog-about-st-therese/2013/5/3/pope-francis-and-saint-therese-of-lisieux-to-depend-solely-o.html, live, After Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005, Bergoglio attended his funeral and was considered one of the papabile for succession to the papacy.JOURNAL,articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17, 17 April 2005, 14 March 2013, Argentine Cardinal Named in Kidnap Lawsuit, Los Angeles Times, 16 March 2013,articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316043207articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17,">web.archive.org/web/20130316043207articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17, live, He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. In the National Catholic Reporter, John L. Allen Jr. reported that Bergoglio was a frontrunner in the 2005 conclave.NEWS, Allen, John L. Jr., Profile: New pope, Jesuit Bergoglio, was runner-up in 2005 conclave,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/papabile-day-men-who-could-be-pope-13, 15 March 2013, National Catholic Reporter, 3 March 2013, 3 June 2017,web.archive.org/web/20170603205738/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/papabile-day-men-who-could-be-pope-13, dead, NEWS, Allen, John L. Jr., Handicapping the conclave,www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/update/conclave/pt041405a.htm, 15 March 2013, National Catholic Reporter, 14 April 2005, 6 August 2012,www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/update/conclave/pt041405a.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20120806032925www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/update/conclave/pt041405a.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20120806032925www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/update/conclave/pt041405a.htm, live, In September 2005, the Italian magazine Limes published claims that Bergoglio had been the runner-up and main challenger to Cardinal Ratzinger at that conclave and that he had received 40 votes in the third ballot, but fell back to 26 at the fourth and decisive ballot.NEWS, Cardinal breaks conclave vow of secrecy,www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/23/conclave.diary.ap/index.html, Associated Press, CNN, 13 March 2013,www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/23/conclave.diary.ap/index.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20051001062114www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/23/conclave.diary.ap/index.html,">web.archive.org/web/20051001062114www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/23/conclave.diary.ap/index.html, 1 October 2005, 23 September 2005, JOURNAL,www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0505401.htm,webarchive.loc.gov/all/20050928201437/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0505401.htm, dead, 28 September 2005, Catholic News, 23 September 2005, Article based on diary says German cardinal became pope with 84 votes, Cindy, Wooden, Article gives numbers for the four votes; Ratzinger had most votes, followed by Bergoglio. The claims were based on a diary purportedly belonging to an anonymous cardinal who had been present at the conclave.Rubin, p. 13 According to the Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli, this number of votes had no precedent for a Latin American papabile. La Stampa reported that Bergoglio was in close contention with Ratzinger during the election, until he made an emotional plea that the cardinals should not vote for him.NEWS,www.lastampa.it/2013/03/10/vaticaninsider/ita/inchieste-e-interviste/ecco-come-and-davvero-il-conclave-del-PpFofMHBKez0AvYBLzCgBN/pagina.html, Ecco come andò davvero il Conclave del 2005, it, La Stampa, Marco, Tosatti, 30 January 2017, 2 August 2017,www.lastampa.it/2013/03/10/vaticaninsider/ita/inchieste-e-interviste/ecco-come-and-davvero-il-conclave-del-PpFofMHBKez0AvYBLzCgBN/pagina.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170802133514www.lastampa.it/2013/03/10/vaticaninsider/ita/inchieste-e-interviste/ecco-come-and-davvero-il-conclave-del-PpFofMHBKez0AvYBLzCgBN/pagina.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170802133514www.lastampa.it/2013/03/10/vaticaninsider/ita/inchieste-e-interviste/ecco-come-and-davvero-il-conclave-del-PpFofMHBKez0AvYBLzCgBN/pagina.html, live, According to the source, Cardinal Bergoglio begged “almost in tears” (“quasi in lacrime” in Italian) According to Tornielli, Bergoglio made this request to prevent the conclave from delaying too much in the election of a pope.Rubin, p. 15As a cardinal, Bergoglio was associated with Communion and Liberation, a Catholic evangelical lay movement of the type known as associations of the faithful.WEB, One of Pope Francis’ allegiances might tell us something about the church’s future, Manson, Jamie,ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/one-pope-francis-allegiances-might-tell-us-something-about-churchs-future, National Catholic Reporter, 15 March 2013, 15 March 2013, 18 March 2013,ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/one-pope-francis-allegiances-might-tell-us-something-about-churchs-future," title="web.archive.org/web/20130318002733ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/one-pope-francis-allegiances-might-tell-us-something-about-churchs-future,">web.archive.org/web/20130318002733ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/one-pope-francis-allegiances-might-tell-us-something-about-churchs-future, live, He sometimes made appearances at the annual gathering known as the Rimini Meeting held during the late summer months in Italy. In 2005, Cardinal Bergoglio authorized the request for beatification—the third step toward sainthood—for six members of the Pallottine community murdered in the San Patricio Church massacre.NEWS, Sánchez Alvarado, Gretta, Francisco: ‘El verdadero poder es el servicio’,www.el-nacional.com/mundo/Francisco-verdadero-poder-servicio_0_156584605.html, 22 March 2013, El Nacional, 20 March 2013, dead,el-nacional.com/mundo/Francisco-verdadero-poder-servicio_0_156584605.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130321065400el-nacional.com/mundo/Francisco-verdadero-poder-servicio_0_156584605.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130321065400el-nacional.com/mundo/Francisco-verdadero-poder-servicio_0_156584605.html, 21 March 2013, NEWS, Sainthood effort for 5 slain recalls Argentine ‘dirty war’,articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-08-12/news/0508120166_1_beatification-buenos-aires-argentine-dirty, Chicago Tribune, 12 August 2005, 23 March 2013, Colin, McMahon, 16 May 2013,articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-08-12/news/0508120166_1_beatification-buenos-aires-argentine-dirty," title="web.archive.org/web/20130516123540articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-08-12/news/0508120166_1_beatification-buenos-aires-argentine-dirty,">web.archive.org/web/20130516123540articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-08-12/news/0508120166_1_beatification-buenos-aires-argentine-dirty, live, At the same time, Bergoglio ordered an investigation into the murders themselves, which had been widely blamed on the National Reorganization Process, the military junta that ruled Argentina at the time.

Argentine government relations

Dirty War

{{See also|Dirty War}}Bergoglio was the subject of allegations regarding the Argentine Navy’s kidnapping of two Jesuit priests, Orlando Yorio and Franz Jalics, in May 1976, during Argentina’s Dirty War.NEWS,www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/new-pope-theologically-conservative-but-with-a-common-touch.html,www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/new-pope-theologically-conservative-but-with-a-common-touch.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130314170716www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/new-pope-theologically-conservative-but-with-a-common-touch.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130314170716www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/new-pope-theologically-conservative-but-with-a-common-touch.html, 14 March 2013, subscription, live, A Conservative With a Common Touch, 13 March 2013, The New York Times, Rother, Larry, Schmall, Emily, 14 March 2013, He feared for the priests’ safety and had tried to change their work prior to their arrest; contrary to reports, he did not try to throw them out of the Jesuit order.NEWS,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-jesuits-and-dirty-war, Thomas Reese, “Francis, the Jesuits and the Dirty War”, National Catholic Reporter, 17 March 2013, Coday, Dennis, 17 March 2013, National Catholic Reporter, 23 June 2013, 6 June 2013,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-jesuits-and-dirty-war," title="web.archive.org/web/20130606012812ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-jesuits-and-dirty-war,">web.archive.org/web/20130606012812ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-jesuits-and-dirty-war, live, In 2005, Myriam Bregman, a human rights lawyer, filed a criminal complaint against Bergoglio, as superior in the Society of Jesus of Argentina, accusing him of involvement in the kidnapping.NEWS,articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17, Argentine Cardinal Named in Kidnap Lawsuit, 17 April 2005, Los Angeles Times, 13 March 2013, 16 March 2013,articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316043207articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17,">web.archive.org/web/20130316043207articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17, live, Her complaint did not specify how Bergoglio was involved; Bergoglio’s spokesman flatly denied the allegations. The complaint was ultimately dismissed. The priests were tortured,NEWS,www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195, Pope Francis Is Known For Simplicity And Humility, 13 March 2013, Associated Press, Bergoglio—who ran Argentina’s Jesuit order during the dictatorship—told Rubin that he regularly hid people on church property during the dictatorship, and once gave his identity papers to a man with similar features, enabling him to escape across the border.,www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316234307www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195,">web.archive.org/web/20130316234307www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195, 16 March 2013, 13 March 2013, but were found alive five months later, drugged and semi-naked. Yorio accused Bergoglio of effectively handing them over to the death squads by declining to tell the authorities that he endorsed their work. Yorio, who died in 2000, said in a 1999 interview that he believed that Bergoglio did nothing “to free us, in fact just the opposite”.NEWS, Pope’s activity in Dirty War Draws Scrutiny, 17 March 2013, Chicago Tribune, 27, Miroff, Nick, Jalics initially refused to discuss the complaint after moving into seclusion in a German monastery.WEB,www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/pope_francis_a_look_at_the_lif.html, Pope Francis: A look at the life of the first South American pontiff, 13 March 2013, The Star-Ledger, 13 March 2013, 16 March 2013,www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/pope_francis_a_look_at_the_lif.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316071314www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/pope_francis_a_look_at_the_lif.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130316071314www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/pope_francis_a_look_at_the_lif.html, live, Two days after the election of Francis, Jalics issued a statement confirming the kidnapping and attributing the cause to a former lay colleague who became a guerrilla, was captured, then named Yorio and Jalics when interrogated.WEB,www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html, Declaration of Father Franz Jalics SJ, 15 March 2013, German Jesuit Web site, de, 16 March 2013,www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316013724www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130316013724www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html, 16 March 2013, dead, The following week, Jalics issued a second, clarifying statement: “It is wrong to assert that our capture took place at the initiative of Father Bergoglio (…) the fact is, Orlando Yorio and I were not denounced by Father Bergoglio.“NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/21/pope-francis-argentinian-junta-priest, Pope Francis did not denounce me to Argentinian junta, says priest, Watts, Jonathan, 21 March 2013, The Guardian, London, 21 March 2013, 5 September 2013,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/21/pope-francis-argentinian-junta-priest," title="web.archive.org/web/20130905003957www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/21/pope-francis-argentinian-junta-priest,">web.archive.org/web/20130905003957www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/21/pope-francis-argentinian-junta-priest, live, WEB,www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erganzende-erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html, Second Declaration of Father Franz Jalics SJ, 20 March 2013, German Jesuit Web site, de, 21 March 2013,www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erganzende-erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20160328015725www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erganzende-erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html,">web.archive.org/web/20160328015725www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erganzende-erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html, 28 March 2016, dead, Bergoglio told his authorized biographer, Sergio Rubin, that after the priests’ imprisonment, he worked behind the scenes for their release; Bergoglio’s intercession with dictator Jorge Rafael Videla on their behalf may have saved their lives.NEWS,www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195, Pope Francis Is Known For Simplicity And Humility, 13 March 2013, Associated Press, both men were freed after Bergoglio took extraordinary, behind-the-scenes action to save them—including persuading dictator Jorge Videla’s family priest to call in sick so that he could say Mass in the junta leader’s home, where he privately appealed for mercy.,www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316234307www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195,">web.archive.org/web/20130316234307www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195, 16 March 2013, 13 March 2013, Bergoglio also told Rubin that he had often sheltered people from the dictatorship on church property, and once gave his own identity papers to a man who looked like him, so he could flee Argentina. The interview with Rubin, reflected in the biography El jesuita, is the only time Bergoglio has spoken to the press about those events.WEB,contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html, Dias inolvidables para su biógrafo, 17 March 2013, El Papa del fin del mundo, Clarín, es, Unforgettable days for his biographer, Pablo Javier Blanco, 13 March 2013, 19 March 2013,contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130319210706contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130319210706contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html, live, Alicia Oliveira, a former Argentine judge, has also reported that Bergoglio helped people flee Argentina during the rule of the junta.WEB,www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Oliveira-Garre-sabe-todo-lo-que-hizo-Bergoglio-20130315-0019.html, Alicia Oliveira: “Garré sabe todo lo que hizo Bergoglio”, Indart, Ramón, 15 March 2013, es, Perfil, 22 March 2013, dead,www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Oliveira-Garre-sabe-todo-lo-que-hizo-Bergoglio-20130315-0019.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130518130955www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Oliveira-Garre-sabe-todo-lo-que-hizo-Bergoglio-20130315-0019.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130518130955www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Oliveira-Garre-sabe-todo-lo-que-hizo-Bergoglio-20130315-0019.html, 18 May 2013, Since Francis became pope, Gonzalo MoscaNEWS,www.lanacion.com.ar/1566175-yo-pensaba-si-el-padre-este-era-consciente-de-lo-que-se-estaba-jugando, Yo pensaba si el padre éste era consciente de lo que se estaba jugando, 23 March 2013, La Nacion, 23 June 2013, 27 March 2013,www.lanacion.com.ar/1566175-yo-pensaba-si-el-padre-este-era-consciente-de-lo-que-se-estaba-jugando," title="web.archive.org/web/20130327104407www.lanacion.com.ar/1566175-yo-pensaba-si-el-padre-este-era-consciente-de-lo-que-se-estaba-jugando,">web.archive.org/web/20130327104407www.lanacion.com.ar/1566175-yo-pensaba-si-el-padre-este-era-consciente-de-lo-que-se-estaba-jugando, live, and José CaraviasNEWS,internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/03/24/actualidad/1364087082_791943.html, Un cura español dice que el Papa evitó que lo mataran durante la dictadura argentina, 24 March 2013, El País, 23 June 2013, 28 May 2013,internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/03/24/actualidad/1364087082_791943.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130528190823internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/03/24/actualidad/1364087082_791943.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130528190823internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/03/24/actualidad/1364087082_791943.html, live, have related to journalists accounts of how Bergoglio helped them flee the Argentine dictatorship.Oliveira described the future pope as “anguished” and “very critical of the dictatorship” during the Dirty War.NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21794798, Argentina ‘Dirty War’ accusations haunt Pope Francis, 15 March 2013, BBC News, Hernandez, Vladimir, 18 March 2013, 18 March 2013,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21794798," title="web.archive.org/web/20130318023019www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21794798,">web.archive.org/web/20130318023019www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21794798, live, Oliveira met with him at the time and urged Bergoglio to speak out—he told her that “he couldn’t. That it wasn’t an easy thing to do.” Artist and human rights activist Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, the 1980 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, said: “Perhaps he didn’t have the courage of other priests, but he never collaborated with the dictatorship. … Bergoglio was no accomplice of the dictatorship.“JOURNAL, Goni, Uki, 15 March 2013, Pope Francis: role during Argentina’s military era disputed,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/15/pope-francis-argentina-military-era, The Guardian, Jonathan, Watts, 12 December 2016, 1 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20161201205222/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/15/pope-francis-argentina-military-era, live, JOURNAL, 14 March 2013, ‘Bergoglio had no links with the dictatorship,’ Peace Nobel Prize winner,www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126367/%E2%80%98bergoglio-had-no-links-with-the-dictatorship%E2%80%99-peace-nobel-prize-winner, Buenos Aires Herald, 15 March 2013, 24 July 2020,www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126367/%E2%80%98bergoglio-had-no-links-with-the-dictatorship%E2%80%99-peace-nobel-prize-winner," title="web.archive.org/web/20200724233031www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126367/%E2%80%98bergoglio-had-no-links-with-the-dictatorship%E2%80%99-peace-nobel-prize-winner,">web.archive.org/web/20200724233031www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126367/%E2%80%98bergoglio-had-no-links-with-the-dictatorship%E2%80%99-peace-nobel-prize-winner, dead, Graciela Fernández Meijide, member of the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights, also said that there was no proof linking Bergoglio with the dictatorship. She told the Clarín newspaper: “There is no information and Justice couldn’t prove it. I was in the APDH during all the dictatorship years and I received hundreds of testimonies. Bergoglio was never mentioned. It was the same in the CONADEP. Nobody mentioned him as instigator or as anything.“JOURNAL, Fioriti, Santiago, Atacan a Bergoglio porque Cristina no quería que fuera Papa,www.clarin.com/mundo/Atacan-Bergoglio-Cristina-queria-Papa_CLAFIL20130315_0002.pdf, Clarín (Argentine newspaper), Clarín, es, 15 March 2013, 19 March 2013,www.clarin.com/mundo/Atacan-Bergoglio-Cristina-queria-Papa_CLAFIL20130315_0002.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20130319054439www.clarin.com/mundo/Atacan-Bergoglio-Cristina-queria-Papa_CLAFIL20130315_0002.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20130319054439www.clarin.com/mundo/Atacan-Bergoglio-Cristina-queria-Papa_CLAFIL20130315_0002.pdf, dead, Ricardo Lorenzetti, President of the Argentine Supreme Court, also has said that Bergoglio is “completely innocent” of the accusations.WEB,vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francedco-francis-francisco-23329/, “Bergoglio is completely innocent,” says Argentina’s Supreme Court, 18 March 2013, Vatican Insider, 23 June 2013, dead,vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francedco-francis-francisco-23329/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130526015515vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francedco-francis-francisco-23329/,">web.archive.org/web/20130526015515vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francedco-francis-francisco-23329/, 26 May 2013, Historian Uki Goñi pointed that, during early 1976, the military junta still had a good image among society, and that the scale of the political repression was not known until much later; Bergoglio would have had little reason to suspect that the detention of Yorio and Jalics could end up in their deaths.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/19/pope-francis-argentina-1970s, Pope Francis: what did he really do in Argentina in the 1970s?, Goñi, Uki, 19 March 2013, The Guardian, 11 February 2015, 12 February 2015,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/19/pope-francis-argentina-1970s," title="web.archive.org/web/20150212201312www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/19/pope-francis-argentina-1970s,">web.archive.org/web/20150212201312www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/19/pope-francis-argentina-1970s, live, When Bergoglio became pope, an alleged photo of him giving the sacramental bread to dictator Jorge Rafael Videla became popular in social networks. It has also been used by the newspaper Página/12.WEB,www.zoomnews.es/34129/actualidad/mundo/bergoglio-historia-papa-francisco-dictadura-argentina-videla, Bergoglio: la verdadera historia del Papa Francisco y la dictadura de Videla, Cifuentes, Pedro, 15 March 2013, Zoom News, es, Bergoglio: the true story of Pope Francis and Videla’s dictatorship, 28 May 2015, dead,www.zoomnews.es/34129/actualidad/mundo/bergoglio-historia-papa-francisco-dictadura-argentina-videla," title="archive.today/20130701131917www.zoomnews.es/34129/actualidad/mundo/bergoglio-historia-papa-francisco-dictadura-argentina-videla,">archive.today/20130701131917www.zoomnews.es/34129/actualidad/mundo/bergoglio-historia-papa-francisco-dictadura-argentina-videla, 1 July 2013, The photo was soon proved to be false. It was revealed that the priest, whose face is not visible in the photo, was Carlos Berón de Astrada. The photo was taken at the church “Pequeña Obra de la Divina Providencia Don Orione” in 1990, not during the Dirty War, and after Videla’s presidential pardon. The photo was produced by the agency AFP and it was initially published by the Crónica newspaper.WEB,www.infotechnology.com/internet/The-fake-viral-photo-of-pope-Francis-who-is-the-priest-that-gives-the-communion-to-Videla-20130319-0002.html, The fake viral photo of pope Francis: who is the priest that gives the communion to Videla, 19 March 2013, Info Technology, amp, Joaquín Garau, Pablo Martín Fernández, 11 February 2015, 12 February 2015,www.infotechnology.com/internet/The-fake-viral-photo-of-pope-Francis-who-is-the-priest-that-gives-the-communion-to-Videla-20130319-0002.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150212212239www.infotechnology.com/internet/The-fake-viral-photo-of-pope-Francis-who-is-the-priest-that-gives-the-communion-to-Videla-20130319-0002.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150212212239www.infotechnology.com/internet/The-fake-viral-photo-of-pope-Francis-who-is-the-priest-that-gives-the-communion-to-Videla-20130319-0002.html, live,

Fernando de la Rúa

Fernando de la Rúa replaced Carlos Menem as president of Argentina in 1999. As an archbishop, Bergoglio celebrated the annual Mass at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on the First National Government holiday, 25 May. In 2000, Bergoglio criticized the perceived apathy of society.Rubin, p. 19 Argentina faced an economic depression at the time, and the Catholic Church criticized the fiscal austerity of the government, which increased poverty. De la Rúa asked the church to promote a dialogue between the leaders of economic and political sectors to find a solution for the crisis. He claims that he talked with Bergoglio and proposed to take part in the meeting, but Bergoglio would have told him that the meeting was cancelled because of a misunderstanding by De la Rúa’s assistant, who may have declined the president’s assistance. Bishop Jorge Casaretto considers it unlikely, as De la Rúa only made the request in newspaper interviews, but never made a formal request to the church.Reato, p. 160The Justicialist Party won the 2001 elections and got the majority in the Congress, and appointed Ramón Puerta as president of the Senate. As vice-president Carlos Álvarez resigned shortly before, this left an opposing party second in the order of precedence. Bergoglio asked for an interview with Puerta, and had a positive impression of him. Puerta told him that the Justicialist party was not plotting to oust De la Rúa, and promised to help the president promote the laws that may be required.Reato, pp. 222–223During police repression of the riots of December 2001, he contacted the Ministry of the Interior and asked that the police distinguish rioters and vandals from peaceful protesters.Rubin, pp. 18–19

Néstor and Cristina Kirchner

File:Pope Francis with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner 4.jpg|thumb|Francis with Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, holding traditional Argentine mate drinkware]]When Bergoglio celebrated Mass at the cathedral for the 2004 First National Government holiday, President Néstor Kirchner attended and heard Bergoglio request more political dialogue, reject intolerance, and criticize exhibitionism and strident announcements.NEWS,www.lanacion.com.ar/604859-el-mensaje-de-la-iglesia-era-para-kirchner, El mensaje de la Iglesia era para Kirchner, Obarrio, Mariano, 27 May 2004, La Nación, es, The message of the church was for Kirchner, 13 March 2013, 29 March 2013,www.lanacion.com.ar/604859-el-mensaje-de-la-iglesia-era-para-kirchner," title="web.archive.org/web/20130329094231www.lanacion.com.ar/604859-el-mensaje-de-la-iglesia-era-para-kirchner,">web.archive.org/web/20130329094231www.lanacion.com.ar/604859-el-mensaje-de-la-iglesia-era-para-kirchner, dead, Kirchner celebrated the national day elsewhere the following year and the Mass in the cathedral was suspended.NEWS,www.lanacion.com.ar/706830-suspendio, Suspendió la Iglesia el tedeum en la Capital, Colonna, Lucas, 24 May 2005, La Nación, es, The church suspended the tedeum in the capital, 13 March 2013, {{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2006, Bergoglio helped the fellow Jesuit Joaquín Piña to win the elections in the Misiones Province and prevent an amendment of the local constitution that would allow indefinite re-elections. Kirchner intended to use that project to start similar amendments at other provinces, and eventually to the national constitution.Reato, pp. 224–225 Kirchner considered Bergoglio as a political rival to the day he died in October 2010.NEWS,www.lanacion.com.ar/1562777-jorge-bergoglio-y-los-kirchner-anos-de-una-relacion-tensa, Jorge Bergoglio y los Kirchner: años de una relación tensa, 14 March 2013, La Nación, es, Jorge Bergoglio and the Kirchners: years of a tense relation, 13 March 2013, 19 March 2013,www.lanacion.com.ar/1562777-jorge-bergoglio-y-los-kirchner-anos-de-una-relacion-tensa," title="web.archive.org/web/20130319041650www.lanacion.com.ar/1562777-jorge-bergoglio-y-los-kirchner-anos-de-una-relacion-tensa,">web.archive.org/web/20130319041650www.lanacion.com.ar/1562777-jorge-bergoglio-y-los-kirchner-anos-de-una-relacion-tensa, dead, Bergoglio’s relations with Kirchner’s widow and successor, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, have been similarly tense. In 2008, Bergoglio called for national reconciliation during disturbances in the country’s agricultural regions, which the government interpreted as a support for anti-government demonstrators. The campaign to enact same-sex marriage legislation was a particularly tense period in their relations.When Bergoglio was elected pope, the initial reactions were mixed. Most of the Argentine society cheered it, but the pro-government newspaper Página/12 published renewed allegations about the Dirty War, and the president of the National Library described a global conspiracy theory. The president took more than an hour before congratulating the new pope, and only did so in a passing reference within a routine speech. Due to the pope’s popularity in Argentina, Cristina Kirchner made what the political analyst Claudio Fantini called a “Copernican shift” in her relations with him and fully embraced the Francis phenomenon.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/christina-fernandez-de-kirchner-pope-francis, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner turns Pope Francis from foe to friend, 27 March 2013, The Guardian, 15 March 2014, 17 March 2014,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/christina-fernandez-de-kirchner-pope-francis," title="web.archive.org/web/20140317010556www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/christina-fernandez-de-kirchner-pope-francis,">web.archive.org/web/20140317010556www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/christina-fernandez-de-kirchner-pope-francis, live, On the day before his inauguration as pope, Bergoglio, now Francis, had a private meeting with Kirchner. They exchanged gifts and lunched together. This was the new pope’s first meeting with a head of state, and there was speculation that the two were mending their relations.NEWS,www.cp24.com/world/pope-s-diplomacy-put-to-test-as-leaders-flock-to-rome-1.1200040, Pope’s diplomacy put to test as leaders flock to Rome, 18 March 2013, CP24, Associated Press, 15 May 2015, 20 June 2015,www.cp24.com/world/pope-s-diplomacy-put-to-test-as-leaders-flock-to-rome-1.1200040," title="web.archive.org/web/20150620125831www.cp24.com/world/pope-s-diplomacy-put-to-test-as-leaders-flock-to-rome-1.1200040,">web.archive.org/web/20150620125831www.cp24.com/world/pope-s-diplomacy-put-to-test-as-leaders-flock-to-rome-1.1200040, live, WEB,www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2013/0318/Making-nice-Argentina-s-Kirchner-and-Pope-Francis-meet-in-Rome-video, Making nice? Argentina’s Kirchner and Pope Francis meet in Rome, Gilbert, Jonathan, 18 March 2013, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 March 2013, 25 March 2013,www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2013/0318/Making-nice-Argentina-s-Kirchner-and-Pope-Francis-meet-in-Rome-video," title="web.archive.org/web/20130325221658www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2013/0318/Making-nice-Argentina-s-Kirchner-and-Pope-Francis-meet-in-Rome-video,">web.archive.org/web/20130325221658www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2013/0318/Making-nice-Argentina-s-Kirchner-and-Pope-Francis-meet-in-Rome-video, live, Página/12 removed their controversial articles about Bergoglio, written by Horacio Verbitsky, from their web page, as a result of this change.WEB,www.perfil.com/politica/Pagina12-saco-notas-de-Verbitsky-sobre-Bergoglio-y-la-dictadura-20141118-0024.html, Página 12 sacó notas de Verbitsky sobre Bergoglio y la dictadura, 18 November 2014, Perfil, es, Página 12 removed Verbitsky’s articles about Bergoglio and the dictatorship, 28 May 2015, dead,www.perfil.com/politica/Pagina12-saco-notas-de-Verbitsky-sobre-Bergoglio-y-la-dictadura-20141118-0024.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150620125109www.perfil.com/politica/Pagina12-saco-notas-de-Verbitsky-sobre-Bergoglio-y-la-dictadura-20141118-0024.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150620125109www.perfil.com/politica/Pagina12-saco-notas-de-Verbitsky-sobre-Bergoglio-y-la-dictadura-20141118-0024.html, 20 June 2015,

Javier Milei

Before Javier Milei’s election to the Argentine presidency, he was very critical of Francis, describing him as “imbecile” and a “communist turd”. His disparaging comments sparked controversy among Catholics.NEWS, Goñi, Uki, 27 August 2023, The ‘false prophet’ v the pope: Argentina faces clash of ideologies in election,www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/27/the-false-prophet-v-the-pope-argentina-faces-clash-of-ideologies-in-election, 26 February 2024, The Observer, en-GB, 0029-7712, 1 February 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240201094926/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/27/the-false-prophet-v-the-pope-argentina-faces-clash-of-ideologies-in-election, live, However, following his inauguration, Milei softened his position and formally invited Francis to Argentina. Milei visited the Vatican on 11 February 2024, the day Francis canonized María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, the first female Argentine saint.WEB,www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/02/12/pope-francis-argentina-president-javier-milei-vatican-247286, Pope Francis and Argentina’s President Milei hit it off, 12 February 2024, 24 February 2024, 24 February 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240224144947/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/02/12/pope-francis-argentina-president-javier-milei-vatican-247286, live,

Papacy (2013–present)

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Vatican II revisited|Theology of Pope Francis#Church leadership}}{{multiple image| align = right| direction = horizontal| width = | caption_align = center| header_align = center| header = Coat of arms of Pope Francis| image1 = Coat of arms of Jorge Mario Bergoglio.svg| width1 = 150| alt1 = | caption1 = As cardinal| image2 = Coat of arms of Franciscus.svg| width2 = 113| alt2 = | caption2 = As popeVirgin Mary, the grape-like plant—the spikenard—is associated with Saint Joseph and the Holy Name of Jesus>IHS is the symbol of the Jesuits.VATICAN RELEASES POPE FRANCIS’ COAT OF ARMS, MOTTO AND RING >URL= HTTPS://WWW.TELEGRAPH.CO.UK/NEWS/RELIGION/THE-POPE/9937813/VATICAN-RELEASES-POPE-FRANCIS-COAT-OF-ARMS-MOTTO-AND-RING.HTMLURL-STATUS= DEADNEWSPAPER=THE DAILY TELEGRAPH>DATE=18 MARCH 2013 LOCATION=LONDON, HTTPS://WWW.VATICAN.VA/HOLY_FATHER/FRANCESCO/ELEZIONE/STEMMA-PAPA-FRANCESCO_IT.HTML >TITLE=LO STEMMA DI PAPA FRANCESCO ACCESS-DATE=18 MARCH 2013 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20140209090516/HTTP://WWW.VATICAN.VA/HOLY_FATHER/FRANCESCO/ELEZIONE/STEMMA-PAPA-FRANCESCO_IT.HTML, live, }}Elected at 76 years old, Francis was reported to be healthy and his doctors have said his missing lung tissue, removed in his youth, does not significantly affect his health. The only concern would be decreased respiratory reserve if he had a respiratory infection. In the past, one attack of sciatica in 2007 prevented him from attending a consistory and delayed his return to Argentina for several days.Francis is the first Jesuit pope. This was a significant appointment, because of the sometimes tense relations between the Society of Jesus and the Holy See.Caleb K. Bell (14 March 2013). “Why the first Jesuit pope is a big deal”. Religion News Service. Retrieved 8 June 2015. He came in second to Cardinal Ratzinger on all the ballots in the 2005 conclave and at the time appeared as the only other viable candidate.www.foxnews.com/story/2005/09/23/cardinal-spills-secrets-from-conclave.html" title="web.archive.org/web/20170825062938www.foxnews.com/story/2005/09/23/cardinal-spills-secrets-from-conclave.html">“Cardinal Spills Secrets from Conclave”. Fox News Channel. Associated Press. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 31 March 2024.He is also the first from the Americas,MAGAZINE,world.time.com/2013/03/13/pope-of-the-americas/, Pope of the Americas, 13 March 2013, Time (magazine), Time, Howard Chua-Eoan, 8 June 2015, 31 May 2015,world.time.com/2013/03/13/pope-of-the-americas/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150531041636world.time.com/2013/03/13/pope-of-the-americas/,">web.archive.org/web/20150531041636world.time.com/2013/03/13/pope-of-the-americas/, live, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere.NEWS, Fordham Experts Weigh in on Pope Francis’ First Decade,news.fordham.edu/living-the-mission/fordham-experts-weigh-in-on-pope-francis-first-decade/, 9 March 2023, Fordham Newsroom, 8 March 2023, 9 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230309164135/https://news.fordham.edu/living-the-mission/fordham-experts-weigh-in-on-pope-francis-first-decade/, live, Many media reported him as being the first non-European pope, but he is actually the 11th; the previous was Gregory III from Syria, who died in 741. Moreover, although Francis was not born in Europe, he is ethnically European; his father and maternal grandparents are from northern Italy.NEWS,www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/13/sorry-jorge-mario-bergoglio-is-not-the-first-non-european-pope/, Sorry, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is not the first non-European pope, Fisher, Max, 13 March 2013, The Washington Post, 8 June 2015, 15 June 2015,www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/13/sorry-jorge-mario-bergoglio-is-not-the-first-non-european-pope/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150615144215www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/13/sorry-jorge-mario-bergoglio-is-not-the-first-non-european-pope/,">web.archive.org/web/20150615144215www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/13/sorry-jorge-mario-bergoglio-is-not-the-first-non-european-pope/, live, As pope, his manner is less formal than that of his immediate predecessors: a style that news coverage has referred to as “no frills”, noting that it is “his common touch and accessibility that is proving the greatest inspiration”.“Pope Francis brings no-frills style to papacy” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901074015www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57576725/pope-francis-brings-no-frills-style-to-papacy/ |date=1 September 2013 }}, CBS News, 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013 On the night of his election, he took a bus back to his hotel with the cardinals, rather than be driven in the papal car.NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316, Pope Francis wants a ‘poor Church for the poor’, 16 March 2013, Reuters, 16 March 2013, 26 December 2015,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316," title="web.archive.org/web/20151226013425www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316,">web.archive.org/web/20151226013425www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316, live, The next day, he visited Cardinal Jorge María Mejía in the hospital and chatted with patients and staff.WEB,abcnews.go.com/International/retired-argentine-cardinal-heart-attack/comments?type=story&id=18736841, Pope visits ailing Argentine cardinal in hospital, ABC News,abcnews.go.com/International/retired-argentine-cardinal-heart-attack/comments?type=story&id=18736841," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316062247abcnews.go.com/International/retired-argentine-cardinal-heart-attack/comments?type=story&id=18736841,">web.archive.org/web/20130316062247abcnews.go.com/International/retired-argentine-cardinal-heart-attack/comments?type=story&id=18736841, 16 March 2013, 9 May 2014, At his first media audience, the Saturday after his election, the pope explained his papal name choice, citing Saint Francis of Assisi as “the man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man”, and he added “[h]ow I would like a poor Church, and for the poor”.In addition to his native Spanish, he speaks fluent Italian (the official language of Vatican City and the “everyday language” of the Holy See) and German. He is also conversant in Latin (the official language of the Holy See),NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/13/new-pope-thirteen-key-facts, Pope Francis: 13 key facts about the new pontiff, 13 March 2013, The Guardian, London, 13 March 2013, 17 March 2013,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/13/new-pope-thirteen-key-facts," title="web.archive.org/web/20130317120117www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/13/new-pope-thirteen-key-facts,">web.archive.org/web/20130317120117www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/13/new-pope-thirteen-key-facts, live, French,NEWS,www.news.va/it/news/briefing-di-padre-lombardi, Briefing di padre Lombardi, 14 March 2013, The Vatican Today, 14 March 2013, 18 October 2017,www.news.va/it/news/briefing-di-padre-lombardi," title="web.archive.org/web/20171018142947www.news.va/it/news/briefing-di-padre-lombardi,">web.archive.org/web/20171018142947www.news.va/it/news/briefing-di-padre-lombardi, dead, Portuguese,NEWS,www.corriere.it/cronache/13_marzo_14/papa-francesco-primo-giorno_9d687672-8c78-11e2-ab2c-711cc67f5f67.shtml, Francis and those humble gestures by the Pope, he does not sit on a throne, paying the bill at the hotel, 14 March 2013, Corriere Della Sera, it, 1 April 2013, 31 March 2013,www.corriere.it/cronache/13_marzo_14/papa-francesco-primo-giorno_9d687672-8c78-11e2-ab2c-711cc67f5f67.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20130331184311www.corriere.it/cronache/13_marzo_14/papa-francesco-primo-giorno_9d687672-8c78-11e2-ab2c-711cc67f5f67.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20130331184311www.corriere.it/cronache/13_marzo_14/papa-francesco-primo-giorno_9d687672-8c78-11e2-ab2c-711cc67f5f67.shtml, live, and English,NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-first-day, Pope Francis, first day after election, 14 March 2013, The Guardian, London, Peter Walker, Paul Owen, David Batty, amp, 19 March 2013, 27 June 2013,www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-first-day," title="web.archive.org/web/20130627230237www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-first-day,">web.archive.org/web/20130627230237www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-first-day, live, Willey, David, News analysis sidebar to “Pope Francis delivers Easter plea for peace” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014121611www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21986185 |date=14 October 2018 }}, BBC News, 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013 and he understands the Piedmontese language and some Genoese.NEWS,www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301486.htm,webarchive.loc.gov/all/20130402184851/http%3A//www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301486.htm, dead, 2 April 2013, Can’t chant, can’t speak English? Pope says it’s because he’s tone-deaf, Glatz, Carol, 2 April 2013, Catholic News Service, 15 September 2013, Francis chose not to live in the official papal residence in the Apostolic Palace, but to remain in the Vatican guest house, in a suite in which he can receive visitors and hold meetings. He is the first pope since Pope Pius X to live outside the papal apartments.WEB,ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments, Pope Francis to live in Vatican guesthouse, not papal apartments, Wooden, Cindy, 26 March 2013, 26 March 2013, National Catholic Reporter, 29 March 2013,ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments," title="web.archive.org/web/20130329080857ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments,">web.archive.org/web/20130329080857ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments, live, Francis still appears at the window of the Apostolic Palace for the Sunday Angelus.Speciale, Alessandro, “Pope Francis opts for Vatican guesthouse instead of spacious papal apartment” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511074129www.religionnews.com/2013/03/26/pope-francis-opts-for-vatican-guesthouse-instead-of-papal-apartment/ |date=11 May 2013 }}, Religion News Service, 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013As a Jesuit pope, he has been “making clear that a fundamental task of the faithful is not so much to follow rules but to discern what God is calling them to do. He is altering the culture of the clergy, steering away from what he has named as “clericalism” (which dwells on priestly status and authority) and toward an ethic of service (Francis says the church’s shepherds must have the “smell of the sheep”, always staying close to the People of God).“WEB,www.jesuits.org/stories/five-years-later-changes-under-pope-francis-are-revealing-his-jesuit-dna/, Five Years Later Changes under Pope Francis are Revealing his Jesuit DNA, William, Bole, 5 March 2018, jesuits.org, 27 September 2022, 11 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230811001454/https://www.jesuits.org/stories/five-years-later-changes-under-pope-francis-are-revealing-his-jesuit-dna/, live, On 13 December 2023, in an interview with Mexican broadcaster Televisa, Francis said that his “great devotion” was to the Salus populi Romani icon at the Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Francis also told the news outlet that his tomb was already prepared at the basilica near the icon. Francis will be the first pope since Pope Leo XIII to be buried outside the Vatican.WEB, 13 December 2023, The pope says he wants to be buried in the Rome basilica, not in the Vatican,apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-basilica-burial-argentina-ba9dc3ccbf4210df16e64d4032451671, 13 December 2023, AP News, en, 21 February 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240221181507/https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-basilica-burial-argentina-ba9dc3ccbf4210df16e64d4032451671, live,

Election

(File:Papa Francisco recién elegido 2.jpg|thumb|left|Francis appears in public for the first time as pope, at St. Peter’s Basilica balcony, 13 March 2013.)Bergoglio was elected pope on 13 March 2013,WEB,www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/index_sp.htm, FRANCISCUS, 13 March 2013, Holy See, Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam: Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Georgium MariumSanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscum,web.archive.org/web/20130315203915/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/index_sp.htm, 15 March 2013, dead, WEB,www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope, Habemus Papam! Cardinal Bergoglio Elected Pope Francis, Official Vatican Network, 14 March 2013, 16 March 2013,www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope," title="web.archive.org/web/20130316043440www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope,">web.archive.org/web/20130316043440www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope, dead, the second day of the 2013 papal conclave, taking the papal name Francis.NEWS,www.cnbc.com/id/100538976, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina Named as New Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, 13 March 2013, CNBC, 13 March 2013, 30 July 2013,www.cnbc.com/id/100538976," title="web.archive.org/web/20130730114209www.cnbc.com/id/100538976,">web.archive.org/web/20130730114209www.cnbc.com/id/100538976, live, Francis was elected on the fifth ballot of the conclave.NEWS,www.catholicsun.org/2013/03/13/white-smoke-cardinals-elect-new-pope-on-fifth-ballot/, White smoke: Cardinals elect new pope on fifth ballot, 13 March 2013, The Catholic Sun, 15 March 2013, 17 May 2013,www.catholicsun.org/2013/03/13/white-smoke-cardinals-elect-new-pope-on-fifth-ballot/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130517150203www.catholicsun.org/2013/03/13/white-smoke-cardinals-elect-new-pope-on-fifth-ballot/,">web.archive.org/web/20130517150203www.catholicsun.org/2013/03/13/white-smoke-cardinals-elect-new-pope-on-fifth-ballot/, live, The Habemus papam announcement was delivered by the cardinal protodeacon, Jean-Louis Tauran.NEWS,www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/03/a-new-pope-and-maybe-a-new-era.html, A New Pope, and Maybe a New Era, Suarez, Ray, PBS NewsHour, 15 March 2013, 21 January 2014,www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/03/a-new-pope-and-maybe-a-new-era.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140121190305www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/03/a-new-pope-and-maybe-a-new-era.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140121190305www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/03/a-new-pope-and-maybe-a-new-era.html, dead, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn later said that Bergoglio was elected following two supernatural signs, one in the conclave - and hence confidential - and a Latin-American couple, friends of Schönborn at Vatican City, who whispered Bergoglio’s name in the elector’s ear; Schönborn commented “if these people say Bergoglio, that’s an indication of the Holy Spirit”.NEWS,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10056994/Pope-Francis-elected-after-supernatural-signs-in-the-Conclave-Cardinal.html, dead,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10056994/Pope-Francis-elected-after-supernatural-signs-in-the-Conclave-Cardinal.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130515045005www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10056994/Pope-Francis-elected-after-supernatural-signs-in-the-Conclave-Cardinal.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130515045005www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10056994/Pope-Francis-elected-after-supernatural-signs-in-the-Conclave-Cardinal.html, 15 May 2013, subscription, Gale OneFile: News, 17 October 2023, Pope Francis elected after supernatural ‘signs’ in the Conclave, says Cardinal, Bingham, John, 14 May 2013, The Daily Telegraph, The Telegraph, London, Instead of accepting his cardinals’ congratulations while seated on the papal throne, Francis received them standing, reportedly an immediate sign of a changing approach to formalities at the Vatican.NEWS,www.neurope.eu/article/habemus-papam-new-pope-new-lifestyle-vatican, Habemus Papam: New Pope, new lifestyle in the Vatican, 15 March 2013, New Europe, 15 March 2013,www.neurope.eu/article/habemus-papam-new-pope-new-lifestyle-vatican," title="web.archive.org/web/20130317034759www.neurope.eu/article/habemus-papam-new-pope-new-lifestyle-vatican,">web.archive.org/web/20130317034759www.neurope.eu/article/habemus-papam-new-pope-new-lifestyle-vatican, 17 March 2013, dead, During his first appearance as pontiff on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, he wore a white cassock, not the red, ermine-trimmed mozzettaNEWS,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-personality-begins-to-change-routines/, Pope Francis’ personality begins to change routines, Uebbing, David, Catholic News Agency, 15 March 2013, 17 March 2013,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-personality-begins-to-change-routines/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130317100134www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-personality-begins-to-change-routines/,">web.archive.org/web/20130317100134www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-personality-begins-to-change-routines/, live, used by previous popes.WEB,www.dieter-philippi.de/en/ecclesiastical-fineries/the-mozzetta-of-the-pope, The Mozzetta of the Pope, Philippi, Dieter, Philippi Collection, 15 March 2013, 20 January 2013,www.dieter-philippi.de/en/ecclesiastical-fineries/the-mozzetta-of-the-pope," title="web.archive.org/web/20130120042532www.dieter-philippi.de/en/ecclesiastical-fineries/the-mozzetta-of-the-pope,">web.archive.org/web/20130120042532www.dieter-philippi.de/en/ecclesiastical-fineries/the-mozzetta-of-the-pope, live, He also wore the same iron pectoral cross that he had worn as archbishop of Buenos Aires, rather than the gold one worn by his predecessors.After being elected and choosing his name, his first act was bestowing the Urbi et Orbi blessing on thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Before blessing the crowd, he asked those in St. Peter’s Square to pray for his predecessor, “the bishop emeritus of Rome” Pope Benedict XVI, and for himself as the new “bishop of Rome”.NEWS,in.reuters.com/article/pope-francis-blessing-idINDEE92C0FE20130313, Pope Francis delivers first blessing, asks world for prayers | Reuters, 14 March 2013, Reuters, 19 March 2013, 10 January 2016,in.reuters.com/article/pope-francis-blessing-idINDEE92C0FE20130313," title="web.archive.org/web/20160110202839in.reuters.com/article/pope-francis-blessing-idINDEE92C0FE20130313,">web.archive.org/web/20160110202839in.reuters.com/article/pope-francis-blessing-idINDEE92C0FE20130313, live, Francis held his papal inauguration on 19 March 2013 in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. He celebrated Mass in the presence of various political and religious leaders from around the world.NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21839069, Pope Francis in plea for poor as inauguration Mass held, 19 March 2013, BBC News, 21 March 2013, 21 March 2013,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21839069," title="web.archive.org/web/20130321153132www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21839069,">web.archive.org/web/20130321153132www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21839069, live, In his homily Francis focused on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the liturgical day on which the Mass was celebrated.WEB, Pope Francis,www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontificato_en.html, Homily of Pope Francis, 19 March 2013, Holy See, 23 March 2013, 22 March 2013,www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontificato_en.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130322054014www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontificato_en.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130322054014www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontificato_en.html, live,

Name

File:Pope Francis among the people at St. Peter’s Square - 12 May 2013.jpg|thumb|Francis in St. Peter’s SquareSt. Peter’s SquareAt his first audience on 16 March 2013, Francis told journalists that he had chosen the name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, and had done so because he was especially concerned for the well-being of the poor.Michael Martinez, CNN Vatican analyst: Pope Francis’ name choice ‘precedent shattering’ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008012331www.cnn.com/2013/03/13/world/pope-name/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |date=8 October 2020 }}, CNN (13 March 2013). Retrieved 13 March 2013. He explained that, as it was becoming clear during the conclave voting that he would be elected the new bishop of Rome, the Brazilian Cardinal Cláudio Hummes had embraced him and whispered, “Don’t forget the poor”, which had made Bergoglio think of the saint.NEWS, Laura, Smith-Spark, Hada, Messia,edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1, live, 17 March 2013,edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1," title="web.archive.org/web/20130317035923edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1,">web.archive.org/web/20130317035923edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1, Pope Francis explains name, calls for church ‘for the poor’, CNN, 16 March 2013, 7 July 2022, NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21812545, Pope Francis wants ‘poor Church for the poor’, 16 March 2013, BBC News, 16 March 2013, 4 December 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211204142721/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21812545, live, Bergoglio had previously expressed his admiration for St. Francis, explaining that: “He brought to Christianity an idea of poverty against the luxury, pride, vanity of the civil and ecclesiastical powers of the time. He changed history.“Bethune, Brian, “Pope Francis: How the first New World pontiff could save the church” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803171059www2.macleans.ca/2013/03/26/man-of-the-people-2/ |date=3 August 2013 }}, Maclean’s, 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013This is the first time that a pope has been named Francis. On the day of his election, the Vatican clarified that his official papal name was “Francis”, not “Francis I”, i.e. no regnal number is used for him. A Vatican spokesman said that the name would become Francis I if and when there is a Francis II. It is the first time since Lando’s 913–914 pontificate that a serving pope holds a name not used by a predecessor.{{efn|John Paul I, elected in 1978, took a new combination of already used names, in honour of his two immediate predecessors, John XXIII and Paul VI.BOOK, Knowles, Leo, Modern Heroes of the Church, 2003, Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, Huntington, IN, 978-1-931709-46-0, 115,books.google.com/books?id=lP3Iw8WV_MoC&pg=PA115, {{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} }}Francis also said that some cardinal electors had jokingly suggested to him that he should choose either “Adrian”, since Adrian VI had been a reformer of the church, or “Clement” to settle the score with Clement XIV, who had suppressed the Jesuit order.Audience to Representatives of the Communications Media â€“ Address of the Holy Father Pope Francis {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402220159www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/march/documents/papa-francesco_20130316_rappresentanti-media_en.html |date=2 April 2014 }} â€“ vatican.va â€“ Paul VI Audience Hall Saturday, 16 March 2013Marco R. della Cava, Pope Francis charms media in first press address {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825194800www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/16/pope-francis-press-conference/1992355/ |date=25 August 2017 }}, USA Today (16 March 2013). Retrieved 16 March 2013. In February 2014, it was reported that Bergoglio, had he been elected in 2005, would have chosen the pontifical name of “John XXIV” in honour of John XXIII. It was said that he told Cardinal Francesco Marchisano: “John, I would have called myself John, like the Good Pope; I would have been completely inspired by him”.NEWS,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-once-thought-taking-name-john-after-pope-john-xxiii, Francis once thought of taking the name John, after Pope John XXIII, 11 February 2014, National Catholic Reporter, 26 May 2015, 5 March 2016,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-once-thought-taking-name-john-after-pope-john-xxiii," title="web.archive.org/web/20160305070944ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-once-thought-taking-name-john-after-pope-john-xxiii,">web.archive.org/web/20160305070944ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-once-thought-taking-name-john-after-pope-john-xxiii, dead,

Curia

(File:Francis Inauguration fc10.jpg|thumb|Inauguration of Francis, 19 March 2013)On 16 March 2013, Francis asked all those in senior positions of the Roman Curia to provisionally continue in office.NEWS,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-drops-first-hint-reform-may-be-real, Francis drops first hint that reform may be real, Allen, John L. Jr., 16 March 2013, National Catholic Reporter, 17 March 2013, 19 March 2013,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-drops-first-hint-reform-may-be-real," title="web.archive.org/web/20130319014326ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-drops-first-hint-reform-may-be-real,">web.archive.org/web/20130319014326ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-drops-first-hint-reform-may-be-real, live, He named Alfred Xuereb as his personal secretary.NEWS,www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Gozitan-Mons-Alfred-Xuereb-appointed-Pope-Francis-secretary-20130318, Gozitan Mgr Alfred Xuereb appointed Pope’s official secretary, Stagno-Navarra, Karl, 18 March 2013, Malta Today, 21 March 2013, 21 March 2013,www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Gozitan-Mons-Alfred-Xuereb-appointed-Pope-Francis-secretary-20130318," title="web.archive.org/web/20130321001926www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Gozitan-Mons-Alfred-Xuereb-appointed-Pope-Francis-secretary-20130318,">web.archive.org/web/20130321001926www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Gozitan-Mons-Alfred-Xuereb-appointed-Pope-Francis-secretary-20130318, live, On 6 April he named José Rodríguez Carballo as secretary for the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, a position that had been vacant for several months.NEWS,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-appoints-franciscan-religious-congregation, Pope appoints Franciscan to religious congregation, McElwee, Joshua J., 6 April 2013, National Catholic Reporter, 7 April 2013, 7 October 2013,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-appoints-franciscan-religious-congregation," title="web.archive.org/web/20131007163804ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-appoints-franciscan-religious-congregation,">web.archive.org/web/20131007163804ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-appoints-franciscan-religious-congregation, dead, Francis abolished the bonuses paid to Vatican employees upon the election of a new pope, amounting to several million Euros, opting instead to donate the money to charity.NEWS,www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/04/19/Pope-scraps-Vatican-staff-bonuses-directs-money-to-charity/UPI-14541366354800/, Pope scraps Vatican staff bonuses, directs money to charity, 19 April 2013, United Press International, 21 April 2013, 21 April 2013,www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/04/19/Pope-scraps-Vatican-staff-bonuses-directs-money-to-charity/UPI-14541366354800/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130421152338www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/04/19/Pope-scraps-Vatican-staff-bonuses-directs-money-to-charity/UPI-14541366354800/,">web.archive.org/web/20130421152338www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/04/19/Pope-scraps-Vatican-staff-bonuses-directs-money-to-charity/UPI-14541366354800/, live, He also abolished the €25,000 annual bonus paid to the cardinals serving on the Board of Supervisors for the Vatican bank.NEWS,www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2013/04/15/news/pope-francis-sets-up-a-group-of-eight-cardinals-to-advise-him-1.36103794, Ior: Cuts to the cardinals’ “earnings”, Galeazi, Giacomo, 19 April 2013, Las Stampa: Vatican Insider, 21 April 2013, 8 March 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210308150136/https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2013/04/15/news/pope-francis-sets-up-a-group-of-eight-cardinals-to-advise-him-1.36103794, live, On 13 April 2013, he named eight cardinals to a new Council of Cardinal Advisers to advise him on revising the organizational structure of the Roman Curia. The group included several known as critics of Vatican operations and only one member of the Curia.NEWS,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-taps-eight-cardinals-lead-reform, Pope taps eight cardinals to lead reform, Allen, John L. Jr., 13 April 2013, National Catholic Reporter, 14 April 2013, 2 September 2013,ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-taps-eight-cardinals-lead-reform," title="web.archive.org/web/20130902010024ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-taps-eight-cardinals-lead-reform,">web.archive.org/web/20130902010024ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-taps-eight-cardinals-lead-reform, dead, They are Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Vatican City State governorate; Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa from Chile; Oswald Gracias from India; Reinhard Marx from Germany; Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; George Pell from Australia; Seán O’Malley from the United States; and Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga from Honduras. He appointed Bishop Marcello Semeraro secretary for the group and scheduled its first meeting for 1–3 October.NEWS,vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francis-francisco-24044/, Pope Francis sets up a group of eight cardinals to advise him, O’Connell, Gerard, 13 April 2013, La Stampa: Vatican Insider, 13 April 2013, 15 April 2013,vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francis-francisco-24044/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130415015644vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francis-francisco-24044/,">web.archive.org/web/20130415015644vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francis-francisco-24044/, live,

Early issues

In March 2013, 21 British Catholic peers and members of Parliament from all parties asked Francis to allow married men in Great Britain to be ordained as priests, keeping celibacy as the rule for bishops. They asked it on the grounds that it would be anomalous that married Anglican priests can be received into the Catholic Church and ordained as priests, by means of either the Pastoral Provision of 20 June 1980 or the 2009 Anglican ordinariate, but married Catholic men cannot do the same.Teahan, Madeleine, “Catholic MPs urge Pope Francis to allow ordination of married men” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402203035www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/03/27/catholic-mps-urge-pope-francis-to-allow-ordination-of-married-men/ |date=2 April 2013 }}, The Catholic Herald, 27 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013Fouad Twal, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, included a call in his 2013 Easter homily for the pope to visit Jerusalem.“Jerusalem prelate urges pope to visit holy city” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402152354www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130331/jerusalem-prelate-urges-pope-visit-the-holy-city |date=2 April 2016 }}, GlobalPost (from Agence France-Presse), 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013 Louis Raphael I, the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch, asked the pope to visit the “embattled Christian community” in Iraq.“Chaldean prelate invites pope to visit Iraq” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520185754www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=17405 |date=20 May 2013 }}, catholicculture.org, 22 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013 In March 2021, Pope Francis went to Iraq on a first-ever papal visit to the diminishing Christian communities of Mesopotamia fallen apart after years of conflict.WEB, Bibbo, Barbara, Pope arrives in Baghdad for the first ever papal visit to Iraq,www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/4/pope-francis-embarks-on-historic-visit-to-iraq, 5 March 2021, www.aljazeera.com, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera, en, 27 March 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210327085854/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/4/pope-francis-embarks-on-historic-visit-to-iraq, live, On the first Holy Thursday following his election, Francis washed and kissed the feet of ten male and two female juvenile offenders, not all Catholic, aged from 14 to 21, imprisoned at Rome’s Casal del Marmo detention facility, telling them the ritual of foot washing is a sign that he is at their service.Speciale, Alessandro, “Pope washes feet of two girls, two Muslims at youth prison” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818110121www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/pope-washes-feet-of-two-girls-two-muslims-at-youth-prison/2013/03/28/0a7c573e-97e5-11e2-b5b4-b63027b499de_story.html |date=18 August 2017 }}, The Washington Post (On Faith), 29 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013 This was the first time that a pope had included women in this ritual; although he had already done so when he was archbishop. One of the male and one of the female prisoners were Muslim.On 31 March 2013, Francis used his first Easter homily to make a plea for peace throughout the world, specifically mentioning the Middle East, Africa, and North and South Korea.Lymon, Eric J., “Pope Francis makes pleas for peace on Easter Sunday” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018142711www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/31/easter-vatican-pope/2039617/ |date=18 October 2017 }}, USA Today, 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013 He also spoke out against those who give in to “easy gain” in a world filled with greed, and made a plea for humanity to become a better guardian of creation by protecting the environment. He said that “[w]e ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace.““Pope Francis delivers Easter plea for peace” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014121611www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21986185 |date=14 October 2018 }}, BBC News, 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013 In 2019 he stated that ecocide was a sin and should be made “a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised as such by the international community”.WEB, 17 September 2020, Pope Supports Classifying ‘Ecocide’ as an International Crime,www.nationalreview.com/corner/pope-supports-classifying-ecocide-as-an-international-crime/, 16 June 2023, National Review, en-US, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616130655/https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/pope-supports-classifying-ecocide-as-an-international-crime/, live, NEWS, 16 September 2020, This movement wants to make harming the planet an international crime, en-GB, The Guardian,www.theguardian.com/climate-academy/2020/sep/16/ecocide-environment-destruction-international-crime, 16 June 2023, 0261-3077, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616130655/https://www.theguardian.com/climate-academy/2020/sep/16/ecocide-environment-destruction-international-crime, live, WEB, 15 November 2019, Pope Francis: Catechism will be updated to define ecological sins,www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/11/15/pope-francis-catechism-will-be-updated-define-ecological-sins, 16 June 2023, America Magazine, en, 16 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230616130654/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/11/15/pope-francis-catechism-will-be-updated-define-ecological-sins, live, Although the Vatican had prepared greetings in 65 languages, Francis chose not to read them. According to the Vatican, the pope “at least for now, feels at ease using Italian, the everyday language of the Holy See”.www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-pope-francis-easter-mass-20130331%2C0%2C1763686.story" title="web.archive.org/web/20130401151028www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-pope-francis-easter-mass-20130331%2C0%2C1763686.story">“Pope Francis makes an Easter plea for peace”, Los Angeles Times (from AP), 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013File:VISITA PAPA FRANCISCO I (19473235041).jpg|thumb|Thousands welcomed Francis in GuayaquilGuayaquilIn 2013, Francis initially reaffirmed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s program to reform the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious,NEWS,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/, Pope backs reform of US sisters’ leadership conference, Uebbing, David, 15 April 2013, Catholic News Agency, 19 April 2013, 18 April 2013,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130418021114www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/,">web.archive.org/web/20130418021114www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/, live, initiated under his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. The New York Times reported that the Vatican had formed the opinion in 2012 that the sisters’ group was tinged with feminist influences, focused too much on ending social and economic injustice and not enough on stopping abortion, and permitted speakers at its meetings who questioned church doctrine.NEWS,www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/pope-upholds-reprimand-of-nuns-group.html,www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/pope-upholds-reprimand-of-nuns-group.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130419022016www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/pope-upholds-reprimand-of-nuns-group.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130419022016www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/pope-upholds-reprimand-of-nuns-group.html, 19 April 2013, subscription, live, Pope Upholds Reprimand of American Nuns’ Group, Goodstein, Laurie, 15 April 2013, The New York Times, 27 May 2015, NEWS,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/, David Uebbing, “Pope backs reform of US sisters’ leadership conference”, Catholic News Agency, 15 April 2013, Catholic News Agency, 23 June 2013, 22 June 2013,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130622053426www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/,">web.archive.org/web/20130622053426www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/, live, In April 2015 the investigation was brought to a close. While the timing of the closure may have anticipated a visit by Francis to the U.S. in September 2015, it was noted that the sisters’ emphasis is close to that of Francis.Vatican Ends Battle With U.S. Catholic Nuns’ Group {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526031044www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/us/catholic-church-ends-takeover-of-leadership-conference-of-women-religious.html |date=26 May 2017 }} The New York Times, 16 April 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015On 12 May, Francis carried out his first canonizations of candidates approved for sainthood during the reign of Benedict XVI: the first Colombian saint, Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena, the second female Mexican saint, María Guadalupe García Zavala, both of the 20th century, and the 813 15th-century Martyrs of Otranto. He said: “While we venerate the martyrs of Otranto, ask God to support the many Christians who still suffer from violence and give them the courage and fate and respond to evil with goodness.“WEB,www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/05/201351212314711566.html, Francis canonises first saints of his papacy, 12 May 2013, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera, 12 May 2013, 13 May 2013,www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/05/201351212314711566.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130513014907www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/05/201351212314711566.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130513014907www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/05/201351212314711566.html, live,

Synodal church

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Decentralization}}Francis has overseen synods on the family (2014), on youth (2018), and on the church in the Amazon region (2019). In 2019 Francis’s apostolic constitution Episcopalis communio allowed that the final document of a synod may become magisterial teaching simply with papal approval. The constitution also allowed for laity to contribute input directly to the synod’s secretary general.NEWS,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-approves-new-constitution-for-synod-of-bishops-79689, Pope Francis approves new constitution for Synod of Bishops, Brockhaus, Hannah, 18 September 2018, 21 May 2019, Catholic News Agency, 5 March 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210305075140/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-approves-new-constitution-for-synod-of-bishops-79689, live, Some analysts see the creation of a truly synodal church as likely to become the greatest contribution of Francis’s papacy.WEB, Mitchell, Charlotte, 2 February 2020, Pope Francis, everyman pontiff: Profile,www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/pope-francis-everyman-pontiff-profile-200101104012522.html, live,web.archive.org/web/20201003053120/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/2/2/pope-francis-everyman-pontiff-profile, 3 October 2020, 5 February 2020, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera,

Consultation with Catholic laity

File:FrancisQuitoR.png|thumb|Francis in leftA February 2014 survey by the World Values Survey cited in The Washington Post and Time shows how the unity Francis had created could be challenged. Although views about Francis personally were favourable, many Catholics disagreed with at least some of his teachings. The survey found that members of the Catholic Church are deeply divided over abortion, artificial contraception, divorce, the ordination of women, and married priests.NEWS,www.washingtonpost.com/national/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds/2014/02/08/e90ecef4-8f89-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html, Pope Francis faces church divided over doctrine, global poll of Catholics finds, Boorstein, Michelle, 9 February 2014, The Washington Post, 4 October 2014, 6 October 2014,www.washingtonpost.com/national/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds/2014/02/08/e90ecef4-8f89-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20141006121938www.washingtonpost.com/national/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds/2014/02/08/e90ecef4-8f89-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html,">web.archive.org/web/20141006121938www.washingtonpost.com/national/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds/2014/02/08/e90ecef4-8f89-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html, live, NEWS,world.time.com/2014/02/09/poll-catholic-beliefs-at-odds-with-vatican-doctrine/,world.time.com/2014/02/09/poll-catholic-beliefs-at-odds-with-vatican-doctrine/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140209223758world.time.com/2014/02/09/poll-catholic-beliefs-at-odds-with-vatican-doctrine/,">web.archive.org/web/20140209223758world.time.com/2014/02/09/poll-catholic-beliefs-at-odds-with-vatican-doctrine/, dead, 9 February 2014, Poll: Catholic Beliefs at Odds With Vatican Doctrine, Frizell, Sam, 9 February 2014, Time (magazine), Time, 4 October 2014, In the same month Francis asked parishes to provide answers to an official questionnairepress.vatican.va/content/dam/salastampa/it/bollettino/documentazione-linkata/Documento-preparatorio-IIIAssGenStraod_ENG.pdf" title="web.archive.org/web/20141027095239press.vatican.va/content/dam/salastampa/it/bollettino/documentazione-linkata/Documento-preparatorio-IIIAssGenStraod_ENG.pdf">Vatican: Synod of Bishops – Extraordinary General Assembly – Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization – Preparatory Document, Vatican City 2013. Includes questionnaire to be circulated to Churches. described as a “much broader consultation than just a survey“NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27060172, Roman Catholic Church refuses survey request, 17 April 2014, BBC News, 4 October 2014, 25 August 2014,www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27060172," title="web.archive.org/web/20140825154410www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27060172,">web.archive.org/web/20140825154410www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27060172, live, regarding opinions among the laity. He continued to assert Catholic doctrine, in less dramatic tone than his recent predecessors, who maintained that the Catholic Church is not a democracy of popular opinion.WEB,news.gnom.es/news/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds, Pope Francis faces church divided over doctrine, global poll of Catholics finds, Clement, Scott, 23 February 2014, National News Service,news.gnom.es/news/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds," title="web.archive.org/web/20140223020300news.gnom.es/news/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds,">web.archive.org/web/20140223020300news.gnom.es/news/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds, 23 February 2014, 26 May 2015, Linda Woodhead of Lancaster University wrote of the survey Francis initiated, “it’s not a survey in any sense that a social scientist would recognize”. Woodhead said that many ordinary Catholics would have difficulty understanding theological jargon there. Nonetheless, she suspected the survey might be influential.WEB,www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/7408/new_poll___faithful_catholics__an_endangered_species, New Poll: ‘Faithful Catholics’ an Endangered Species, 12 December 2013, University of Southern California, 4 October 2014, 3 June 2014,www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/7408/new_poll___faithful_catholics__an_endangered_species," title="web.archive.org/web/20140603173438www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/7408/new_poll___faithful_catholics__an_endangered_species,">web.archive.org/web/20140603173438www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/7408/new_poll___faithful_catholics__an_endangered_species, live, The Catholic Church in England and Wales {{As of|2014|4|lc=y}} had refused to publish results of this survey; a church spokesman said a senior Vatican official had expressly asked for summaries to remain confidential, and that orders had come from the pope that the information should not be made public until after October. This disappointed many reformers who hoped the laity would be more involved in decision-making. Some other Catholic churches, for example in Germany and Austria, published summaries of the responses to the survey, which showed a wide gap between church teaching and the behaviour of ordinary Catholics.In a column he wrote for the Vatican’s semi-official newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, the then-Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, American cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, who has a long-standing reputation as one of the church’s most vocal conservative hard-liners, said that Francis opposed both abortion and gay marriage.NEWS,www.washingtonpost.com/local/us-cardinal-raymond-burke-pope-francis-opposes-abortion-and-gay-marriage/2014/02/21/de5dbf52-9b36-11e3-975d-107dfef7b668_story.html, U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke: Pope Francis opposes abortion and gay marriage, Gibson, David, 21 February 2014, The Washington Post, 28 May 2015, 28 May 2015,www.washingtonpost.com/local/us-cardinal-raymond-burke-pope-francis-opposes-abortion-and-gay-marriage/2014/02/21/de5dbf52-9b36-11e3-975d-107dfef7b668_story.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150528183118www.washingtonpost.com/local/us-cardinal-raymond-burke-pope-francis-opposes-abortion-and-gay-marriage/2014/02/21/de5dbf52-9b36-11e3-975d-107dfef7b668_story.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150528183118www.washingtonpost.com/local/us-cardinal-raymond-burke-pope-francis-opposes-abortion-and-gay-marriage/2014/02/21/de5dbf52-9b36-11e3-975d-107dfef7b668_story.html, live, The Vatican’s chief spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, also noted in the Vatican press office during the 2014 consistory meetings that Francis and Cardinal Walter Kasper would not change or redefine any dogmas pertaining to church theology on doctrinal matters.WEB,www.romereports.com/pg155838-lombardi-no-cardinal-believes-in-changing-church-doctrine-en, Lombardi: No cardinal believes in changing Church doctrine, Rome Reports, 24 May 2014, dead,www.romereports.com/pg155838-lombardi-no-cardinal-believes-in-changing-church-doctrine-en," title="web.archive.org/web/20140301012319www.romereports.com/pg155838-lombardi-no-cardinal-believes-in-changing-church-doctrine-en,">web.archive.org/web/20140301012319www.romereports.com/pg155838-lombardi-no-cardinal-believes-in-changing-church-doctrine-en, 1 March 2014,

Institute for the Works of Religion

In the first months of Francis’s papacy, the Institute for the Works of Religion, informally known as the Vatican Bank, said that it would become more transparent in its financial dealingsWEB,www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201351616303447140.html, Pope Francis condemns global ‘cult of money’, 16 May 2013, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera, 28 May 2015, 3 April 2015,www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201351616303447140.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150403022453www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201351616303447140.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150403022453www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201351616303447140.html, live, There had long been allegations of corruption and money laundering connected with the bank.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/26/vatican-bank-pope-francis-commission, Vatican bank faces review by Pope Francis commission, Davies, Lizzy, 26 June 2013, The Guardian, 26 May 2015, 18 June 2015,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/26/vatican-bank-pope-francis-commission," title="web.archive.org/web/20150618125252www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/26/vatican-bank-pope-francis-commission,">web.archive.org/web/20150618125252www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/26/vatican-bank-pope-francis-commission, live, NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23094320, Monsignor Nunzio Scarano held in Vatican bank inquiry, Willey, David, 28 June 2013, BBC News, 18 July 2013, 18 July 2013,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23094320," title="web.archive.org/web/20130718183525www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23094320,">web.archive.org/web/20130718183525www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23094320, live, Francis appointed a commission to advise him about reform of the Bank, and the finance consulting firm Promontory Financial Group was assigned to carry out a comprehensive investigation of all customer contacts of the bank on these facts.WEB,www.news.va/en/news/update-on-the-case-of-mons-nunzio-scarano, Update on the case of Mons. Nunzio Scarano, 12 July 2013, Justice and Peace, Vatican Radio, 6 August 2013, {{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Because of this affair the Promoter of Justice at the Vatican Tribunal applied a letter rogatory for the first time in the history of the Republic of Italy at the beginning of August 2013.WEB,en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/08/03/monsignor_scarano:_vatican_forwards_request_to_italy/in2-716914, Monsignor Scarano: Vatican forwards request to Italy, 3 August 2013, Justice and Peace, Vatican Radio, 6 August 2013, 10 March 2024,www.radiovaticana.va/page404.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20240310115026www.radiovaticana.va/page404.html,">web.archive.org/web/20240310115026www.radiovaticana.va/page404.html, live, In January 2014, Francis replaced four of the five cardinal overseers of the Vatican Bank, who had been confirmed in their positions in the final days of Benedict XVI’s papacy.NEWS,ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-replaces-cardinals-serving-vatican-bank-oversight-commission, Pope replaces cardinals serving on Vatican bank oversight commission, Glatz, Carol, 15 January 2014, National Catholic Reporter, 18 January 2014, 3 February 2014,ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-replaces-cardinals-serving-vatican-bank-oversight-commission," title="web.archive.org/web/20140203214920ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-replaces-cardinals-serving-vatican-bank-oversight-commission,">web.archive.org/web/20140203214920ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-replaces-cardinals-serving-vatican-bank-oversight-commission, live, Lay experts and clerics were looking into how the bank was run. Ernst von Freyberg was put in charge. Moneyval feels more reform is needed, and Francis may be willing to close the bank if the reforms prove too difficult.WEB,www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/pope-francis-report-card, 12 months a pope: Francis’s report card after a year at the top, Davies, Lizzy, The Guardian, 13 March 2014, 4 October 2014, 16 October 2014,www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/pope-francis-report-card," title="web.archive.org/web/20141016184725www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/pope-francis-report-card,">web.archive.org/web/20141016184725www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/pope-francis-report-card, live, There is uncertainty how far reforms can succeed.WEB,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/13/can-pope-francis-clean-up-gods-bank, Can Pope Francis clean up God’s bank?, Vallely, Paul, The Guardian, 13 August 2015, 12 December 2016, 22 October 2019,web.archive.org/web/20191022023400/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/13/can-pope-francis-clean-up-gods-bank, live,

Papal documents

On 29 June 2013, Francis published the encyclical Lumen fidei, which was largely the work of Benedict XVI but awaiting a final draft at his retirement.WEB,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei.html, Lumen Fidei (29 June 2013), Francis, w2.vatican.va, 25 September 2019, 15 January 2021,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20210115115142www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei.html,">web.archive.org/web/20210115115142www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei.html, live, On 24 November 2013, Francis published his first major letter as pope, the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium,WEB,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of the Holy Father Francis to the Bishops, Clergy, Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World, Holy See, 26 December 2019, 11 August 2015,w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150811092426w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150811092426w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html, live, which he described as the programmatic of his papacy.WEB,www.ncronline.org/news/theology/evangelii-gaudium-amounts-francis-i-have-dream-speech, ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ amounts to Francis’ ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, 26 November 2013, National Catholic Reporter, 25 September 2019, 25 September 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190925121644/https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/evangelii-gaudium-amounts-francis-i-have-dream-speech, live, On 18 June 2015, he published his first own, original encyclical Laudato si’ concerning care for the planet.Jim Yardley & Laurie Goodstein (18 June 2015). “Pope Francis, in Sweeping Encyclical, Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change”. The New York Times. Retrieved 18 June 2015. On 8 April 2016, Francis published his second apostolic exhortation, Amoris laetitia,Pope Francis (8 April 2016), Amoris laetitia {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114152915www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html |date=14 January 2021 }}. The Holy See. Retrieved 20 April 2016. remarking on love within the family. Controversy arose at the end of 2016 when four cardinals formally asked Francis for clarifications, particularly on the issue of giving communion to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.NEWS,www.lastampa.it/2016/11/14/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/four-cardinals-openly-challenge-francis-over-amoris-laetitia-62np8ZYXQkeXyBamk0M0jP/pagina.html, Four cardinals openly challenge Francis over ‘Amoris Laetitia’, McElwee, Josh, 14 November 2016, Vatican Insider, 20 December 2016, 30 September 2017,www.lastampa.it/2016/11/14/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/four-cardinals-openly-challenge-francis-over-amoris-laetitia-62np8ZYXQkeXyBamk0M0jP/pagina.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170930212430www.lastampa.it/2016/11/14/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/four-cardinals-openly-challenge-francis-over-amoris-laetitia-62np8ZYXQkeXyBamk0M0jP/pagina.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170930212430www.lastampa.it/2016/11/14/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/four-cardinals-openly-challenge-francis-over-amoris-laetitia-62np8ZYXQkeXyBamk0M0jP/pagina.html, live, His motu proprios include Ai nostri tempi and De concordia inter codices. Francis issued another titled Maiorem hac dilectionem which created a new path toward canonization for certain causes.Francis established two new Secretariats (top-level departments) in the Roman Curia: the Secretariat for the Economy, and the Secretariat for Communications. He simplified the process for declaring matrimonial nullity.On 8 December 2017, Francis signed a new apostolic constitution on ecclesiastical universities and faculties Veritatis gaudium, published 29 January 2018.Pope revamps ecclesiastical universities in new apostolic constitution {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311115631www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-revamps-ecclesiastical-universities-in-new-apostolic-constitution-77172 |date=11 March 2021 }}, Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 29 January 2018.A further Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et exsultate (Rejoice and be glad), was published on 19 March 2018, dealing with “the call to holiness in today’s world” for all persons. He counters contemporary versions of the gnostic and Pelagian heresies and describes how Jesus’s beatitudes call people to “go against the flow”.Pope Francis, Gaudete et exsultate {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709164130www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html |date=9 July 2023 }}, 19 March 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018In February 2019, Francis acknowledged that priests and bishops were sexually abusing religious sisters.weblink {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208062100www.nytimes.com/2019/02/05/world/europe/pope-nuns-sexual-abuse.html|date=8 February 2019}} The New York Times, “Pope Acknowledges Nuns Were Sexually Abused by Priests and Bishops”, 5 February 2019 He addressed this and the clergy sex abuse scandal by convening a summit on clergy sexual abuse in Rome 21–24 February 2019.WEB, ‘A Life Destroyed’: Survivors And Pope Address Clergy Sex Abuse at Vatican Summit, NPR, 21 February 2019,www.npr.org/2019/02/21/696723194/a-life-destroyed-survivors-and-pope-at-vatican-summit-address-clergy-sex-abuse, 25 September 2019, Held, Amy, Poggioli, Sylvia, 25 September 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190925150514/https://www.npr.org/2019/02/21/696723194/a-life-destroyed-survivors-and-pope-at-vatican-summit-address-clergy-sex-abuse, live, As a follow-up to that summit, on 9 May 2019 Francis promulgated the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi which specified responsibilities, including reporting directly to the Holy See on bishops and on one’s superior, while simultaneously involving another bishop in the archdiocese of the accused bishop.WEB, Pope Francis Signs Motu Proprio to Prevent and Denounce Abuses in the Catholic Church,www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-signs-motu-proprio-to-prevent-and-denounce-abuses-in-the-catholic-church, 3 October 2020, NCR, 9 May 2019, en, 7 November 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201107224948/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-signs-motu-proprio-to-prevent-and-denounce-abuses-in-the-catholic-church, live, On 30 September 2020, he published the apostolic letter Scripturae sacrae affectus to celebrate the 16th centenary of the death of Jerome.WEB, 30 September 2020, New Apostolic Letter highlights St Jerome’s love of Scripture,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-09/new-apostolic-letter-highlights-st-jerome-s-love-of-scripture.html, 30 September 2020, Vatican News, en, 30 September 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200930153322/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-09/new-apostolic-letter-highlights-st-jerome-s-love-of-scripture.html, live, WEB, Esteves, Junno Arocho, 30 September 2020, Pope releases apostolic letter on Sacred Scripture,www.catholicnews.com/pope-releases-apostolic-letter-on-sacred-scripture/,web.archive.org/web/20201001234533/https://www.catholicnews.com/pope-releases-apostolic-letter-on-sacred-scripture/, dead, 1 October 2020, 30 September 2020, Catholic News Service, en-US, On 4 October 2020 on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Francis published the encyclical Fratelli tutti on fraternity and social friendship, using St. Francis’s own words to describe our universal brotherhood and sisterhood.WEB, Pentin, Edward, 4 October 2020, Pope’s New Encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti’ Outlines Vision for a Better World,www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world, 6 October 2020, National Catholic Register, en, 5 October 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201005111314/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world, live, On 8 December 2020 on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis published the apostolic letter Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart“).WEB, Apostolic Letter Patris Corde of the Holy Father Francis on the 150th Anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church (8 December 2020), Francis,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html, 14 March 2021, www.vatican.va, 10 December 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211210115314/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html, live, To mark the occasion, the Pope proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from 8 December 2020, to 8 December 2021 on the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.WEB, 8 December 2020, Pope Francis proclaims “Year of St Joseph” – Vatican News,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html, 14 March 2021, www.vaticannews.va, en, 21 October 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211021081135/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html, live, On 1 June 2021, Francis published the apostolic constitution Pascite gregem Dei.NEWS,www.washingtonpost.com/religion/pope-francis-issues-long-awaited-reform-of-vatican-penal-law/2021/06/01/fb957d84-c320-11eb-89a4-b7ae22aa193e_story.html, Pope Francis issues long-awaited reform of Vatican penal law - the Washington Post, The Washington Post, 15 January 2022,web.archive.org/web/20210604194621/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/pope-francis-issues-long-awaited-reform-of-vatican-penal-law/2021/06/01/fb957d84-c320-11eb-89a4-b7ae22aa193e_story.html, 4 June 2021, dead, Pope Francis issued the motu proprio Traditionis custodes on 16 July 2021. The document abrogated the permissions for the celebration of the Tridentine Mass previously established by Benedict XVI in the 2007 Summorum Pontificum, with Traditionis custodes instituting increased restrictions on the use of the 1962 Roman Missal. Pope Francis stated in a letter accompanying the motu proprio that emphasizing the Mass of Paul VI would bring “unity I intend to re-establish throughout the Church of the Roman Rite”.WEB,press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2021/07/16/0469/01015.html#ingL, Lettera del Santo Padre Francesco ai Vescovi di tutto il mondo per presentare il Motu Proprio «Traditionis Custodes» sull’uso della Liturgia Romana anteriore alla Riforma del 1970, 16.07.2021, Pope Francis, 16 July 2021, 17 July 2021, Rome, 17 July 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210717000601/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2021/07/16/0469/01015.html#ingL, live, On 11 February, Pope Francis met with two priests from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP) and reassured them that Traditionis Custodes did not affect their community and gave them permission, in writing, to use all the liturgical books of 1962. He also implied that Traditionis Custodes did not apply to all traditional Catholic communities, not just the FSSP.WEB, FSSP says Pope Francis has issued decree confirming its use of 1962 liturgical books,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250438/fssp-says-pope-francis-has-issued-decree-confirming-its-use-of-1962-liturgical-books, 10 March 2022, Catholic News Agency, en, 2 March 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220302141739/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250438/fssp-says-pope-francis-has-issued-decree-confirming-its-use-of-1962-liturgical-books, live,

Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue

(File:Stamps of Azerbaijan, 2016-1283s.jpg|thumb|The stamp is dedicated to the pastoral visit of Francis to Azerbaijan on 2 October 2016.)Pope Francis continued in the tradition of the Second Vatican Council and of the papacies since the Council in promoting ecumenism with other Christian denominations, as well as encouraging dialogue with leaders of other religions; he has also supported peace with those claiming no religious belief.

Clerical titles

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Clericalism}}In January 2014, Francis said that he would appoint fewer monsignors and only assign those honoured to the lowest of the three surviving ranks of monsignor, chaplain of His Holiness. It would be awarded only to diocesan priests at least 65 years old. During his 15 years as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis never sought the title for any of his priests. It is believed he associates it with clerical careerism and hierarchy, though he did not apply this restriction to clergy working in the Roman Curia or diplomatic corps, where careerism is an even greater concern.NEWS,vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/31027/, Pope abolishes honorary title of monsignor for diocesan priests under the age of 65, O’Connell, Gerard, 4 January 2014, Vatican Insider, 4 January 2014, 4 January 2014,vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/31027/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140104212828vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/31027/,">web.archive.org/web/20140104212828vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/31027/, dead,

Canonizations and beatifications

Francis presided over the first canonizations of his pontificate on 12 May 2013 in which he canonized the Martyrs of Otranto. Antonio Primaldo and his 812 companions who had been executed by the Ottomans in 1480,WEB,www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-02-11/papa-lascia-pontificato-febbraiio-114943.shtml?uuid=Abm8RITH, L’addio di papa Ratzinger: “Lascio per il bene della Chiesa”. Il fratello Georg: “Lo sapevo da mesi”, Il Sole 24 ORE, 27 August 2018, 22 February 2014,www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-02-11/papa-lascia-pontificato-febbraiio-114943.shtml?uuid=Abm8RITH," title="web.archive.org/web/20140222222141www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-02-11/papa-lascia-pontificato-febbraiio-114943.shtml?uuid=Abm8RITH,">web.archive.org/web/20140222222141www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-02-11/papa-lascia-pontificato-febbraiio-114943.shtml?uuid=Abm8RITH, live, as well as the religious sisters Laura of St. Catherine of Siena and María Guadalupe García Zavala – in this first canonization he surpassed the record of Pope John Paul II in canonizing the most saints in a pontificate. Francis approved the equipollent canonization of Angela of Foligno the following 9 October and then the Jesuit Peter Faber the following 17 December.WEB,www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=20123, Vatican cardinal explains why Pope Francis canonized St. Angela of Foligno, Catholic Culture, 7 January 2014, 14 October 2017, 19 May 2001,www.catholicculture.org/," title="web.archive.org/web/20010519103834www.catholicculture.org/,">web.archive.org/web/20010519103834www.catholicculture.org/, live, NEWS,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-declares-sainthood-of-early-jesuit-peter-faber, Pope Francis declares sainthood of early Jesuit, Peter Faber, Catholic News Agency, 17 December 2013, 14 October 2017, 14 October 2017,web.archive.org/web/20171014183732/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-declares-sainthood-of-early-jesuit-peter-faber, live, The pope approved further equipollent canonizations on 3 April 2014 for the Jesuit José de Anchieta as well as the Ursuline nun Marie of the Incarnation and bishop François de Laval.WEB,www.catholicworldreport.com/2014/04/07/pope-francis-canonizes-three-new-saints-of-the-americas/, Pope Francis canonizes three new saints of the Americas, Catholic World Report, 7 April 2014, 14 October 2017, 14 October 2017,www.catholicworldreport.com/2014/04/07/pope-francis-canonizes-three-new-saints-of-the-americas/," title="web.archive.org/web/20171014183004www.catholicworldreport.com/2014/04/07/pope-francis-canonizes-three-new-saints-of-the-americas/,">web.archive.org/web/20171014183004www.catholicworldreport.com/2014/04/07/pope-francis-canonizes-three-new-saints-of-the-americas/, live, Francis canonized his two predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II on 27 April 2014 and canonized six additional saints the following 23 November.WEB,edition.cnn.com/2014/04/27/world/pope-canonization/index.html, CNN, Sainthood for John Paul II, John XXIII in canonization ceremony, 27 April 2014, 14 October 2017, 14 October 2017,edition.cnn.com/2014/04/27/world/pope-canonization/index.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20171014183047edition.cnn.com/2014/04/27/world/pope-canonization/index.html,">web.archive.org/web/20171014183047edition.cnn.com/2014/04/27/world/pope-canonization/index.html, live, NEWS, Reuters,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/pope-declares-sainthood-of-two-indians-four-italians-idUSKCN0J70KT20141124, Pope declares sainthood of two Indians, four Italians, 24 November 2014, 14 October 2017, 14 October 2017,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/pope-declares-sainthood-of-two-indians-four-italians-idUSKCN0J70KT20141124," title="web.archive.org/web/20171014183708www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/pope-declares-sainthood-of-two-indians-four-italians-idUSKCN0J70KT20141124,">web.archive.org/web/20171014183708www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/pope-declares-sainthood-of-two-indians-four-italians-idUSKCN0J70KT20141124, live, The pope canonized Joseph Vaz on his visit to Sri Lanka on 14 January 2015 and canonized a further four saints on the following 17 May; he canonized Junípero Serra on 23 September while visiting the United States and then canonized four saints on 18 October including the first married couple to be named as saints.WEB,www.news.lk/fetures/item/5711-canonization-of-saint-joseph-vaz-the-first-sri-lankan-saint, Canonization of Saint Joseph Vaz, the first Sri Lankan Saint, News.lk, 14 October 2017, 14 October 2017,web.archive.org/web/20171014233758/https://www.news.lk/fetures/item/5711-canonization-of-saint-joseph-vaz-the-first-sri-lankan-saint, live, NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-palestinians-saints/pope-francis-canonizes-two-Palestinian-nuns-idUSKBN0O208420150517, Pope Francis canonizes two Palestinian nuns, 17 May 2015, Reuters, 14 October 2017, 14 October 2017,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-palestinians-saints/pope-francis-canonizes-two-Palestinian-nuns-idUSKBN0O208420150517," title="web.archive.org/web/20171014183831www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-palestinians-saints/pope-francis-canonizes-two-Palestinian-nuns-idUSKBN0O208420150517,">web.archive.org/web/20171014183831www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-palestinians-saints/pope-francis-canonizes-two-Palestinian-nuns-idUSKBN0O208420150517, live, WEB,edition.cnn.com/2015/09/23/us/pope-junipero-serra-canonization/index.html, Pope Francis canonizes controversial saint, CNN, 23 September 2017, 14 October 2017, 14 October 2017,edition.cnn.com/2015/09/23/us/pope-junipero-serra-canonization/index.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20171014233718edition.cnn.com/2015/09/23/us/pope-junipero-serra-canonization/index.html,">web.archive.org/web/20171014233718edition.cnn.com/2015/09/23/us/pope-junipero-serra-canonization/index.html, live, NEWS,www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/10/19/pope-francis-canonises-the-martins/, Pope Francis canonises Louis and Zélie Martin, Catholic Herald, 19 October 2015, 14 October 2017, 14 October 2017,www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/10/19/pope-francis-canonises-the-martins/," title="web.archive.org/web/20171014233703www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/10/19/pope-francis-canonises-the-martins/,">web.archive.org/web/20171014233703www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/10/19/pope-francis-canonises-the-martins/, dead, Francis canonized Maria Elisabeth Hesselblad and Stanislaus PapczyÅ„ski on 5 June 2016 and then canonized Teresa of Calcutta on 4 September; he canonized seven additional saints on 16 October.WEB, VOA News, 5 June 2016, 14 October 2017, Pope Proclaims 2 New Saints in Canonization Mass,www.voanews.com/a/pope-new-saints/3362508.html, 14 October 2017,web.archive.org/web/20171014233629/https://www.voanews.com/a/pope-new-saints/3362508.html, live, WEB, Mother Teresa officially becomes a saint at canonization ceremony in Vatican City, 5 September 2016, ABC News Australia, 14 October 2017,www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-04/mother-teresa-canonised-at-ceremony-in-st-peters-cathedral/7813048, 18 October 2017,www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-04/mother-teresa-canonised-at-ceremony-in-st-peters-cathedral/7813048," title="web.archive.org/web/20171018142914www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-04/mother-teresa-canonised-at-ceremony-in-st-peters-cathedral/7813048,">web.archive.org/web/20171018142914www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-04/mother-teresa-canonised-at-ceremony-in-st-peters-cathedral/7813048, live, WEB,www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-jose-gabriel-del-rosario-brochero-argentina-gaucho-priest-sainthood/, CBS News, 16 October 2016, Pope Francis makes Argentina’s “gaucho priest” and 6 others saints, 14 October 2017, 14 October 2017,web.archive.org/web/20171014184414/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-jose-gabriel-del-rosario-brochero-argentina-gaucho-priest-sainthood/, live, The pope canonized the two child visionaries Francisco and Jacinta Marto during his visit to Fátima in mid-2017 and canonized 35 additional saints on 15 October.WEB,www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/05/13/pope-francis-makes-history-and-canonizes-jacinta-and-francisco-two-child-saints, America Magazine, 13 May 2017, Gerard O’Connell, Pope Francis makes history and canonizes Jacinta and Francisco, two child saints, 23 May 2018, 24 May 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180524081038/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/05/13/pope-francis-makes-history-and-canonizes-jacinta-and-francisco-two-child-saints, live, WEB,cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/10/16/pope-canonizes-35-new-saints-including-feminist-priest/, Pope canonizes 35 new saints including a ‘feminist’ priest, 27 October 2017, 16 October 2017, Crux, Inés San Martín, 27 October 2017,web.archive.org/web/20171027131024/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/10/16/pope-canonizes-35-new-saints-including-feminist-priest/, dead, Francis recognized seven saints on 14 October 2018, chief among them, his predecessor Pope Paul VI and Óscar Romero.NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/slain-salvadorian-bishop-romero-and-pope-paul-vi-become-saints-idUSKCN1MO098, Slain Salvadoran bishop Romero and Pope Paul VI become saints, Reuters, Philip Pullella, 14 October 2018, 20 October 2018, 11 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230811001314/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/slain-salvadorian-bishop-romero-and-pope-paul-vi-become-saints-idUSKCN1MO098, live, Francis later confirmed the equipollent canonization for Bartholomew of Braga in mid-2019.WEB, 6 July 2019, A new saint for the Church and Fulton Sheen soon to be Blessed,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-07/pope-francis-sainthood-beatification-decree-sheen.html, 5 December 2021, Vatican News, en, 7 July 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190707121654/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-07/pope-francis-sainthood-beatification-decree-sheen.html, live, On 13 October 2019, Francis canonized five new saints, including Cardinal John Henry Newman.NEWS,catholicnewsagency.com/news/lead-kindly-light---pope-francis-names-newman-a-saint-78656, ‘Lead, kindly light’ – Pope Francis names Newman a saint, 13 October 2019, 13 October 2019, Catholic News Agency, Courtney Mares, 13 October 2019,web.archive.org/web/20191013095059/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/lead-kindly-light---pope-francis-names-newman-a-saint-78656, live, The pope confirmed the equipollent canonization for Margherita della Metola on 24 April 2021.WEB,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247399/pope-francis-declares-blind-14th-century-lay-dominican-a-saint, Pope Francis declares blind 14th-century lay Dominican a saint, Catholic News Agency, 24 April 2021, 24 April 2021, 28 April 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210428022818/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247399/pope-francis-declares-blind-14th-century-lay-dominican-a-saint, live, The pope has also continued the practice of having beatifications celebrated in the place of the individual’s origin though has presided over beatifications himself on three occasions: for Paul Yun Ji-Chung and 123 companions on 16 August 2014, his predecessor Pope Paul VI on 19 October 2014, and two Colombian martyrs on 8 September 2017.NEWS,www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28814553, Pope beatifies 124 South Korean Catholic martyrs, BBC News, 16 August 2014, 14 October 2017, 17 June 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180617182007/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28814553, live, NEWS, The New York Times, 19 October 2014, 14 October 2017, Pope Francis Beatifies an Earlier Reformer, Paul VI,www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/world/europe/pope-francis-beatifies-pope-paul-vi.html,www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/world/europe/pope-francis-beatifies-pope-paul-vi.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20141019221734www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/world/europe/pope-francis-beatifies-pope-paul-vi.html,">web.archive.org/web/20141019221734www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/world/europe/pope-francis-beatifies-pope-paul-vi.html, 19 October 2014, subscription, live, Elisabetta Povoledo, WEB, Vatican Radio, 14 October 2017, 8 September 2017, Pope in Colombia at Beatification Mass: ‘Reconciliation is not an abstract word’,en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/09/08/pope_in_colombia_at_beatification_mass_reconciliation_is_n/1335599, 14 October 2017,en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/09/08/pope_in_colombia_at_beatification_mass_reconciliation_is_n/1335599," title="web.archive.org/web/20171014183723en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/09/08/pope_in_colombia_at_beatification_mass_reconciliation_is_n/1335599,">web.archive.org/web/20171014183723en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/09/08/pope_in_colombia_at_beatification_mass_reconciliation_is_n/1335599, live, The pope has approved beatifications for a range of men and women including the likes of Álvaro del Portillo of Opus Dei (27 September 2014), the martyred archbishop Óscar Romero (23 May 2015), the prominent Polish cardinal Stefan WyszyÅ„ski (12 September 2021), and several large groups of Spanish martyrs.NEWS, Oscar Romero beatification draws huge El Salvador crowds, BBC News, 23 May 2015, 14 October 2017,www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-32859627, 15 June 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180615054035/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-32859627, live, Francis also confirmed his predecessor John Paul I to be Venerable on 8 November 2017,NEWS, Catholic Herald, 9 November 2017, 10 November 2017, Junno Arocho Esteves, Pope Francis officially declares John Paul I ‘venerable’,www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/11/09/pope-francis-officially-declares-john-paul-i-venerable/,www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/11/09/pope-francis-officially-declares-john-paul-i-venerable/," title="web.archive.org/web/20171110091738www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/11/09/pope-francis-officially-declares-john-paul-i-venerable/,">web.archive.org/web/20171110091738www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/11/09/pope-francis-officially-declares-john-paul-i-venerable/, 10 November 2017, dead, and Blessed on 4 September 2022.NEWS, Pope Francis beatifies his predecessor John Paul I, The Guardian, 4 September 2022, 3 April 2024,www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/04/pope-francis-beatifies-john-paul-i,

Doctors of the Church

On 21 February 2015, Francis signed a decree naming Saint Gregory of Narek as the 36th Doctor of the Church; he formally conferred the title upon the saint at a ceremony held in Saint Peter’s Basilica on 12 April 2015 with delegations from the Armenian Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church present.WEB,en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/13/newest_doctor_of_the_church_st_gregory_of_narek/1136368, Newest Doctor of the Church: St. Gregory of Narek, 13 April 2015, Vatican Radio, 23 September 2017, 16 November 2017,en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/13/newest_doctor_of_the_church_st_gregory_of_narek/1136368," title="web.archive.org/web/20171116130801en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/13/newest_doctor_of_the_church_st_gregory_of_narek/1136368,">web.archive.org/web/20171116130801en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/13/newest_doctor_of_the_church_st_gregory_of_narek/1136368, live, On 20 January 2022, Francis provided his approval to the suggestion to name Saint Irenaeus of Lyon as the 37th Doctor of the Church, formally conferring the title upon him, along with the supplementary title Doctor unitatis (“Doctor of Unity“) in a decree issued on 21 January.WEB,www.ncronline.org/news/theology/pope-receives-proposal-declare-st-irenaeus-doctor-church, Pope declares St. Irenaeus a doctor of the church, National Catholic Reporter, Junno Arocho Esteves, 21 January 2022, 7 February 2022, 7 February 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220207051050/https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/pope-receives-proposal-declare-st-irenaeus-doctor-church, live,

Consistories

At the first consistory of his papacy, held on 22 February 2014, Francis created 19 new cardinals. At the time of their elevation to that rank, 16 of these new cardinals were under eighty years of age and thus eligible to vote in a papal conclave.Pope Francis appoints 19 new cardinals in Rome ceremony {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103121944www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26301947 |date=3 January 2019 }}, BBC News, 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014 The new appointees included prelates from South America, Africa, and Asia, including appointees in some of the world’s poorest countries, such as Chibly Langlois from Haiti and Philippe Nakellentuba Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso.Pope Francis inducts new cardinals as predecessor Benedict looks on {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517185940www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-consistory-benedict-idUSBREA1L07X20140222 |date=17 May 2021 }}, Reuters, 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014 The consistory was a rare occasion in which Francis and his predecessor, Benedict XVI, appeared together in public.Benedict XVI also attended the second consistory on 14 February 2015, at which Francis elevated 20 new cardinals, with 15 under the age of eighty and five over the age of eighty. The pope continued his practice of appointing cardinals from the peripheries, such as Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar and Soane Patita Paini Mafi of Tonga.“Annuncio di Concistoro per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113112834www.news.va/en/news/230499 |date=13 November 2017 }}” NEWS.VA Official Vatican Network. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2018.Francis presided over the third consistory of his papacy on 19 November 2016, elevating 17 new cardinals. Of that total number at the time of their elevation, 13 were under the age of eighty and four were over the age of eighty. Francis continued his previous practice of elevating cardinals from the peripheries with an emphasis again on Asia and Africa, such as Patrick D’Rozario from Bangladesh and Dieudonné Nzapalainga from the Central African Republic, while also naming the first three American cardinals of his papacy and only one Curial appointment.NEWS,en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/28/pope_francis_allocution_at_cardinals_creation_consistory/1321890, Pope Francis: Allocution at Consistory for Creation of Cardinals, 5 February 2018, 5 February 2018,en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/28/pope_francis_allocution_at_cardinals_creation_consistory/1321890," title="web.archive.org/web/20180205184456en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/28/pope_francis_allocution_at_cardinals_creation_consistory/1321890,">web.archive.org/web/20180205184456en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/28/pope_francis_allocution_at_cardinals_creation_consistory/1321890, live, The pope presided over a fourth consistory for the elevation of five new cardinals on the afternoon of 28 June 2017. Each of the five were under the age of eighty and were thus eligible to vote in a papal conclave. This consistory was noteworthy for the fact that, with the pope continuing the trend of elevating cardinals from a diverse range of areas, no cardinals elevated are of the Roman Curia, and one was a mere auxiliary bishop.WEB,m.ncregister.com/daily-news/francis-fifth-a-synod-humanae-vitae-milestone-and-more-decentralized-church, Francis’ Fifth: A Synod, Humanae Vitae Milestone and More Decentralized Church, m.ncregister.com, 5 February 2018, 5 February 2018,m.ncregister.com/daily-news/francis-fifth-a-synod-humanae-vitae-milestone-and-more-decentralized-church," title="web.archive.org/web/20180205184637m.ncregister.com/daily-news/francis-fifth-a-synod-humanae-vitae-milestone-and-more-decentralized-church,">web.archive.org/web/20180205184637m.ncregister.com/daily-news/francis-fifth-a-synod-humanae-vitae-milestone-and-more-decentralized-church, live, Francis presided over his fifth consistory for the elevation of 14 new cardinals on 28 June 2018. The first eleven were under the age of eighty, and therefore, were eligible to vote in a future papal conclave while the last three were over the age of eighty, and thus, ineligible to vote in a papal conclave.NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-cardinals/pope-francis-names-14-new-cardinals-from-five-continents-idUSKCN1lL0CH, Pope Francis names 14 new cardinals from five continents, Reuters, Crispian Balmer, 20 May 2018, 23 December 2018, {{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The pope continued the practice of naming the Vicar of Rome and a curial prefect as cardinals, while naming his substitute for the Secretariat of State in anticipation of his transferral to a curial department. The pope also continued his practice of bestowing the red hat on those from peripheries such as Madagascar, Pakistan, and Iraq, and like in 2016, created a priest as a cardinal. The consistory was also noteworthy for the fact that Francis named the papal almoner Konrad Krajewski as a cardinal, marking the consistory the first occasion where the almoner was made a cardinal. Francis himself later said that he wanted the office of almoner to receive the red hat going forward as it was an important arm of the Vatican.NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-interview-changes/pope-to-make-vatican-changes-in-push-for-reform-transparency-idUSKBN1Jl1T8, 22 June 2018, 23 December 2018, Reuters, Philip Pullella, Pope to make Vatican changes in push for reform, transparency, {{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}On 1 September 2019, following his weekly Sunday Angelus address, Francis unexpectedly announced the appointment of 13 new cardinals. Of these, 10 appointees were under the age of 80 and would therefore become cardinal electors, besides three over 80. The new cardinals were formally installed at the consistory celebrated on 5 October 2019.NEWS,news.yahoo.com/pope-picks-cardinals-putting-stamp-104820408.html, Pope picks new cardinals, putting his stamp on Church’s future, Reuters, via Yahoo.com, Philip, Pullella, 1 September 2019, 2 September 2019, 1 September 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190901222635/https://news.yahoo.com/pope-picks-cardinals-putting-stamp-104820408.html, live, Most of the new cardinals come from the peripheries of the church and developing countries. Two new appointees were from Muslim majority countries (Morocco and Indonesia), while two others were known for their work on refugee and migration issues.NEWS,www.dw.com/en/freed-from-elevator-pope-names-new-cardinals-from-muslim-developing-countries/a-50249080, Deutsche Welle, Freed from elevator, pope names new cardinals from Muslim, developing countries, 1 September 2019, 2 September 2019, 1 September 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190901220938/https://www.dw.com/en/freed-from-elevator-pope-names-new-cardinals-from-muslim-developing-countries/a-50249080, live, This action took the number of cardinal electors appointed by Francis to the College of Cardinals to about 70 out of nearly 130.Francis created thirteen new cardinals on 28 November 2020; nine appointees were under the age of 80, therefore, could vote in a future papal conclave.NEWS, Pope announces a consistory for the creation of 13 new cardinals,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/pope-consistory-creation-13-new-cardinals-thirteen.html, 25 October 2020, Vatican News, 25 October 2020, 11 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230811001559/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/pope-consistory-creation-13-new-cardinals-thirteen.html, live, The pope also nominated four cardinals over the age of 80. Most of these new appointees continued the trend that Francis adhered to, appointing the first cardinals to represent Brunei and Rwanda. Francis also nominated the first African American cardinal (Gregory), while naming the first Conventual Franciscan (Gambetti) in almost 160 years, and the first from Siena (Lojudice) since 1801.NEWS, 7 November 2020,international.la-croix.com/news/letter-from-rome/the-popes-13-new-cardinals-and-the-next-conclave/13266, La Croix, The pope’s 13 new cardinals and the next conclave, 31 October 2020, Robert, Mickens, 5 November 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201105183925/https://international.la-croix.com/news/letter-from-rome/the-popes-13-new-cardinals-and-the-next-conclave/13266, live, Three of his appointees were only priests upon their nomination, therefore, two (Gambetti and Feroci) received their episcopal consecration, while one (Cantalamessa) was granted a papal dispensation from it.

Year of Mercy

File:A Szentév kapujának megnyitása 2015 - Opening of the Holy Door 2015 4.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Francis opens the Holy Door, marking the beginning of the Extraordinary Jubilee of MercyExtraordinary Jubilee of MercyWith his April 2015 papal bull of indiction, Misericordiae Vultus (Latin: “The Face of Mercy“), Francis inaugurated a Special Jubilee Year of Mercy, to run from 8 December 2015, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the last Sunday before Advent and the Solemnity of the Feast of Christ the King of the Universe on 20 November 2016.The Holy Doors of the major basilicas of Rome (including the Great Door of St. Peter’s) were opened, and special “Doors of Mercy” were opened at cathedrals and other major churches around the world, where the faithful can earn indulgences by fulfilling the usual conditions of prayer for the pope’s intentions, confession, and detachment from sin, and communion.WEB, The Gift Of The Indulgence (29 January 2000),www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html, 6 September 2020, www.vatican.va, 16 July 2020,www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20200716183145www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html,">web.archive.org/web/20200716183145www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html, live, During Lent of that year, special 24-hour penance services will be celebrated, and during the year, special qualified and experienced priests called “Missionaries of Mercy” will be available in every diocese to forgive even severe, special-case sins normally reserved to the Holy See’s Apostolic Penitentiary.Francis established the World Day of the Poor in his Apostolic Letter, Misericordia et Misera, issued on 20 November 2016 to celebrate the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.WEB, World Day of the Poor,justiceandpeace.org.au/world-day-of-the-poor/, Justice and Peace Office, 18 June 2018, 18 June 2018,justiceandpeace.org.au/world-day-of-the-poor/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180618175224justiceandpeace.org.au/world-day-of-the-poor/,">web.archive.org/web/20180618175224justiceandpeace.org.au/world-day-of-the-poor/, live, WEB,www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/card-ranjith-calls-for-prayers-and-practical-action-on-world-day-of-the-poor/39361/1, Card Ranjith calls for prayers and practical action on World Day of the Poor, 30 November 2017, Herald Malaysia Online, 18 June 2018, 18 June 2018,www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/card-ranjith-calls-for-prayers-and-practical-action-on-world-day-of-the-poor/39361/1," title="web.archive.org/web/20180618152259www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/card-ranjith-calls-for-prayers-and-practical-action-on-world-day-of-the-poor/39361/1,">web.archive.org/web/20180618152259www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/card-ranjith-calls-for-prayers-and-practical-action-on-world-day-of-the-poor/39361/1, live,

COVID-19 pandemic

{{see also|COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City}}During the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis cancelled his regular general audiences at St. Peter’s Square to prevent crowds from gathering and spreading the virus, which seriously affected Italy.NEWS, Philip Pullella,www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pope/pope-cancels-main-public-appearances-to-stop-crowds-gathering-amid-coronavirus-idUSKBN20U0JH, Reuters, 7 March 2020, Pope cancels main public appearances to stop crowds gathering amid coronavirus, 13 March 2020, 16 March 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200316102840/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pope/pope-cancels-main-public-appearances-to-stop-crowds-gathering-amid-coronavirus-idUSKBN20U0JH, live, He encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers;NEWS,www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/pope-tells-priests-to-go-out-and-meet-the-coronavirus-sick, Pope tells priests to go out and meet the coronavirus sick, 10 March 2020, Agence France-Presse, 13 March 2020, 11 March 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200311231926/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/pope-tells-priests-to-go-out-and-meet-the-coronavirus-sick, live, urged the faithful not to forget the poor during the time of crisis;WEB,www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-do-not-forget-the-poor-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic, Pope Francis: Do Not Forget the Poor During the Coronavirus Pandemic, National Catholic Register, 12 March 2020, 13 March 2020, 10 March 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240310114859/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-do-not-forget-the-poor-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic, live, offered prayers for people with the virus in China;WEB,www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-prays-for-coronavirus-victims-in-china, Pope Francis Prays for Coronavirus Victims in China, National Catholic Register, 26 January 2020, 13 March 2020, 26 January 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200126173844/https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-prays-for-coronavirus-victims-in-china, live, and invoked the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title Salus Populi Romani, as the Diocese of Rome observed a period of prayer and fasting in recognition of the victims.WEB,www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-asks-for-marys-protection-of-rome-against-coronavirus, Pope Francis Asks for Mary’s Protection of Rome Against Coronavirus, National Catholic Register, 12 March 2020, 13 March 2020, 10 March 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240310114957/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-asks-for-marys-protection-of-rome-against-coronavirus, live, The pontiff reacted with displeasure on 13 March 2020, at the news that the Vicar General had closed all churches in the Diocese of Rome. Despite Italy being under a quarantine lockdown, Francis pleaded “not to leave the ... people alone” and worked to partially reverse the closures.On 20 March 2020, Francis asked the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) to create a Vatican COVID-19 Commission to express the church’s concern for the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic and propose responses to the potential socio-economic challenges deriving from it.NEWS, We must think of the aftermath of COVID-19 so we are not unprepared, Vatican News,www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-04/turkson-think-covid19-aftermath-to-not-be-unprepared.html, 14 January 2021, 10 January 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210110140954/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-04/turkson-think-covid19-aftermath-to-not-be-unprepared.html, live, WEB,www.humandevelopment.va/en/vatican-covid-19.html, Vatican Covid-19 Commission – Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, www.humandevelopment.va, 14 May 2021, 14 May 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210514022448/https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/vatican-covid-19.html, live, On 27 March, Francis gave an extraordinary benediction Urbi et Orbi.WEB, Pope Francis to give extraordinary benediction urbi et orbi,catholicherald.co.uk/199149-2/, 7 September 2020, Catholic Herald, 27 March 2020, en-GB, 15 August 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200815144444/https://catholicherald.co.uk/199149-2/, live, In his homily on calming the storm in the Gospel of Mark, Francis described the setting: “Dense darkness has thickened on our squares, streets and cities; it looks over our lives filling everything with a deafening silence and a desolate void that paralyzes everything in its passage: you can feel it in the air, you can feel it in your gestures. ...In the face of suffering, where the true development of our peoples is measured, we discover and experience the priestly prayer of Jesus: ‘may all be one’.“WEB, 27 March 2020, Papa Francesco prega nella piazza San Pietro vuota: “Fitte tenebre si sono addensate, scenda la benedizione di Dio”,www.repubblica.it/vaticano/2020/03/27/news/_fitte_tenebre_si_sono_addensate_sulle_nostre_piazze_ma_scenda_su_tutti_la_benedizione_di_dio_-252483705/, 7 September 2020, la Repubblica, it, 26 May 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200526185235/https://www.repubblica.it/vaticano/2020/03/27/news/_fitte_tenebre_si_sono_addensate_sulle_nostre_piazze_ma_scenda_su_tutti_la_benedizione_di_dio_-252483705/, live, Francis maintains getting COVID vaccination is a moral obligation. Francis stated that people had a responsibility to look after themselves, “and this translates into respect for the health of those around us. Health care is a moral obligation.“Pope Francis has said getting vaccinated against coronavirus is a “moral obligation” and denounced how naysayers had been swayed by “baseless information”. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110132740www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/jan/10/covid-live-news-40-of-israel-could-be-infected-in-current-wave-germany-to-study-rapid-antigen-test-reliability-for-omicron?page=with:block-61dc232b8f08ad63cf6746c2 |date=10 January 2022 }} The Guardian;;In response to the economic harm created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis stated that now is the time to consider implementing a universal basic wage.WEB, 13 April 2020, Pope calls for consideration of ‘universal basic wage’ for unprotected workers - Vatican News,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/pope-letter-popular-movements-universal-basic-wage.html, 14 May 2022, www.vaticannews.va, en, 16 April 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200416093058/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/pope-letter-popular-movements-universal-basic-wage.html, live,

Russo-Ukrainian War

File:21.06.2023 - Franciscus and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (shaking hands).jpg|thumb|Francis and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva both tried to find a peaceful solution to the war between Russia and Ukraine]]Following the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, Francis visited the Russian embassy in Rome in what was described as an “unprecedented move”.WEB,www.timesofisrael.com/in-unprecedented-move-pope-makes-personal-appeal-in-remarkable-russia-embassy-visit/, In unprecedented move, Pope makes personal appeal in remarkable Russia embassy visit, Times of Israel, 26 February 2022, 26 February 2022, Winfield, Nicole, 26 February 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220226034527/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-unprecedented-move-pope-makes-personal-appeal-in-remarkable-russia-embassy-visit/, live, Francis called Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating his “sorrow” as the Vatican worked to find “room for negotiation”.WEB,www.ncronline.org/news/ukraines-president-zelensky-tweets-thanks-popes-call-support, Ukraine’s President Zelensky tweets thanks for pope’s call of support, White, Christopher, 26 February 2022, 26 February 2022, National Catholic Reporter, 27 February 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220227001711/https://www.ncronline.org/news/ukraines-president-zelensky-tweets-thanks-popes-call-support, dead, As the invasion began, the major archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav Shevchuk cancelled a trip to visit Francis in Florence.WEB,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250477/ukrainian-archbishop-shevchuk-florence-kyiv, Ukraine archbishop skipping papal trip to remain in homeland, 24 February 2022, 26 February 2022, Yoder, Katie, Catholic News Agency, Washington, D.C., 25 February 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220225215145/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250477/ukrainian-archbishop-shevchuk-florence-kyiv, live, On 25 February, the day after the invasion began, Francis would assure Shevchuk via a phone call that “he would do everything he can to help end the Ukraine conflict”.WEB,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250497/ukraine-conflict-pope-francis-to-ukrainian-catholic-leader-i-will-do-everything-i-can-to-help-end-war, Pope Francis to Ukrainian Catholic leader: ‘I will do everything I can’ to help end conflict, Rome, 25 February 2022, 26 February 2022, Catholic News Agency, CNA Staff, 25 February 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220225211110/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250497/ukraine-conflict-pope-francis-to-ukrainian-catholic-leader-i-will-do-everything-i-can-to-help-end-war, live, During the 27 February Angelus address, Francis called for peace, saying, “Silence the weapons!“WEB,catholicphilly.com/2022/02/news/world-news/with-a-heart-broken-pope-prays-for-peace-in-ukraine/, ‘With a heart broken,’ pope prays for peace in Ukraine, CatholicPhilly, 27 February 2022, 22 February 2022, Wooden, Cindy, 27 February 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220227230431/https://catholicphilly.com/2022/02/news/world-news/with-a-heart-broken-pope-prays-for-peace-in-ukraine/, live, Francis also sent two high-ranking cardinals with aid to Ukraine at the beginning of March.NEWS, Pullella, Philip, Balmer, Crispian, 6 March 2022, Pope Francis says ‘rivers of blood’ flowing in Ukraine war, en, Reuters,www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-ukraine-conflict-is-not-military-operation-war-2022-03-06/, 13 April 2022, 12 April 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220412152840/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-ukraine-conflict-is-not-military-operation-war-2022-03-06/, live, These special envoys were the papal almsgiver, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, and Cardinal Michael Czerny, who is head of the papal office that deals with migration, charity, justice and peace. This mission, which involved several trips,WEB, 14 March 2022, Pope sends cardinal to Ukraine to show solidarity with refugees,edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22/h_8cc95cbbd57270b46535d4948ec18d88, 13 April 2022, CNN, 7 May 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220507112859/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22/h_8cc95cbbd57270b46535d4948ec18d88, live, WEB, 2022, Pope Francis blessed an ambulance that the Vatican sent to Ukraine,www.infobae.com/en/2022/03/26/pope-francis-blessed-an-ambulance-that-the-vatican-sent-to-ukraine/, 13 April 2022, infobae, 3 May 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220503085407/https://www.infobae.com/en/2022/03/26/pope-francis-blessed-an-ambulance-that-the-vatican-sent-to-ukraine/, live, was considered a highly unusual move of Vatican diplomacy.WEB, Pope Francis dispatches 2 cardinals to Ukraine,www.politico.com/news/2022/03/06/pope-francis-dispatches-2-cardinals-to-ukraine-00014429, 13 April 2022, Politico, 6 March 2022, en, 12 April 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220412152842/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/06/pope-francis-dispatches-2-cardinals-to-ukraine-00014429, live, Pope Francis consecrated both Russia and Ukraine on 25 March 2022 (see consecration of Russia).NEWS,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-to-consecrate-russia-and-ukraine-to-the-immaculate.html, Pope to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to Immaculate Heart of Mary, Vatican News, 15 March 2022, 21 March 2022, 20 March 2022,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-to-consecrate-russia-and-ukraine-to-the-immaculate.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20220320221024www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-to-consecrate-russia-and-ukraine-to-the-immaculate.html,">web.archive.org/web/20220320221024www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-to-consecrate-russia-and-ukraine-to-the-immaculate.html, live, In mid-May 2022, Francis described Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “perhaps somehow either provoked or not prevented[.]“WEB, 14 June 2022, Pope Francis: Russian war in Ukraine was ‘perhaps provoked’,www.politico.eu/article/pope-francis-says-war-in-ukraine-perhaps-provoked-or-unprevented/, 16 June 2022, Politico, en-US, 15 June 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220615175249/https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-francis-says-war-in-ukraine-perhaps-provoked-or-unprevented/, live, Francis explained that this observation did not mean he was “pro-Putin”: “It would be simplistic and wrong to say such a thing. I am simply against reducing complexity to the distinction between good guys and bad guys, without reasoning about roots and interests, which are very complex.“On 24 August 2022, Pope Francis described the killing of Darya Dugina as a case of innocents paying for the Russo-Ukrainian War. On the same day, the Ukraine’s envoy to the Holy See protested against such a description of the killing, saying that Dugina was “one of ideologists of (Russian) imperialism” and therefore not an innocent victim.NEWS, Pullella, Philip, Ukraine envoy criticises pope over comments on Russian killed by car bomb,www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-warns-potential-nuclear-disaster-ukraines-zaporizhzhia-plant-2022-08-24/, 24 August 2022, Reuters, 24 August 2022, en, 25 August 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220825083402/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-warns-potential-nuclear-disaster-ukraines-zaporizhzhia-plant-2022-08-24/, live, In September 2022, Francis pointed out that Ukraine has a lawful right to defend itself, and that dialogue with the aggressor is necessary even when “it stinks” and later said that Ukrainians were noble people who were victims of savageness, monstrosities and torture.NEWS, Pope Francis: ‘The West has taken the wrong paths’,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252304/pope-francis-the-west-has-taken-the-wrong-paths, 21 September 2022, Catholic News Agency, 15 September 2022, en, 4 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230604031627/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252304/pope-francis-the-west-has-taken-the-wrong-paths, live, NEWS, Pope Says Ukraine Subjected to Monstrosities,www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-09-21/pope-says-ukraine-subjected-to-savageness-monstrosities-torture, 21 September 2022, U.S. News & World Report, 21 September 2022, en, 14 January 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240114095521/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-09-21/pope-says-ukraine-subjected-to-savageness-monstrosities-torture, live, On 2 October 2022, Francis directly addressed Putin and Zelenskyy, making an impassioned appeal to Putin to halt the “spiral of violence and death”, saying that a nuclear escalation would bring “uncontrollable global consequences”. Addressing Ukrainian president Zelenskyy, Pope Francis asked him to be open about “serious peace proposals” at the same time that Francis recognized that Ukraine had suffered an “aggression” and that he “pained about the suffering of the Ukrainian people”.NEWS, Pullella, Philip, Pope begs Putin to end ‘spiral of violence and death’, cites nuclear threat,www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-begs-putin-end-spiral-violence-death-cites-nuclear-threat-2022-10-02/, 2 October 2022, Reuters, 2 October 2022, 26 March 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230326034459/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-begs-putin-end-spiral-violence-death-cites-nuclear-threat-2022-10-02/, live, In November 2022, Francis granted an interview to Christian magazine America. During the interview, in response to a question asking him about his “seeming unwillingness to directly criticize Russia” and why he was “preferring instead to speak more generally of the need for an end to war, an end to mercenary activity rather than Russian attacks, and to the traffic in arms”, Francis notably stated: “[...] When I speak about Ukraine, I speak about the cruelty because I have much information about the cruelty of the troops that come in. Generally, the cruelest are perhaps those who are of Russia but are not of the Russian tradition, such as the Chechens and Buryats and so on [...]”.NEWS, Exclusive: Pope Francis discusses Ukraine, U.S. bishops and more,www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/11/28/pope-francis-interview-america-244225, 9 August 2023, America Magazine, 28 November 2022, 12 August 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230812040749/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/11/28/pope-francis-interview-america-244225, live, These remarks were strongly condemned by Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who expressed that the comments were “no longer Russophobia, [they] are a perversion on a level I can’t even name”. Others remarked that his statement was “racist” and that there was no data supporting this claim concerning Russian soldiers who are non-ethnic Russians.NEWS, Sauer, Pjotr, ‘Racist’ interview with Pope Francis causes fury in Russia,www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/29/interview-pope-francis-fury-russia, 29 November 2022, The Guardian, 29 November 2022, 29 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221129145644/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/29/interview-pope-francis-fury-russia, live, Francis also stated during the interview: “Certainly, the one who invades is the Russian state. This is very clear.“On 30 April 2023, Francis announced that the Vatican is taking part in a secret “peace mission” to try to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.NEWS, Pope says Vatican involved in secret Ukraine peace mission,www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-vatican-involved-ukraine-peace-mission-2023-04-30/, Reuters, 30 April 2023, 15 June 2023, 15 June 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230615234847/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-vatican-involved-ukraine-peace-mission-2023-04-30/, live, In February 2024, Francis stated that “those who have the courage to raise the white flag and to negotiate are stronger” — wording that was interpreted by many as a call for Ukraine to negotiate terms of surrender. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a pointed late-evening statement Sunday: “This is what the church is — it is together with people, not two and a half thousand kilometres away somewhere, virtually mediating between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy.” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that she “didn’t understand” the pope’s comments and suggested he needed to visit Ukraine to see the damage brought by the invasion. Politico noted that a similar remark drew controversy in August 2023, angering “Kyiv and its Baltic allies by praising Russia’s imperialist past during a video conference with Russian Catholic youth, whom he called the “heirs of Great Russia.” The Vatican was then forced to issue a clarification, saying Francis had not intended to encourage modern Russian aggression. Regardless, his praise of Peter I and Catherine II, who were responsible for destroying Ukrainian and Polish national movements, went down badly in countries that suffered under the grip of the Russian empire.“WEB, Melkozerova, Veronika, 2024-03-11, Pope’s ‘white flag’ gaffe triggers outrage in Ukraine,www.politico.eu/article/pope-francis-courage-raising-white-flag-remark-sparks-fury-ukraine/, 2024-03-12, POLITICO, en, The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church criticized Pope Francis’s remarks, saying:“Ukrainians cannot surrender because surrender means death. The intentions of Putin and Russia are clear and explicit. In Putin’s mind, there is no such thing as Ukraine, Ukrainian history, language, and independent Ukrainian church life.”

Death penalty

Francis has committed the Catholic Church to the worldwide abolition of the death penalty in any circumstance.WEB, Brockhaus, Hannah, 2 August 2018, Vatican changes Catechism teaching on death penalty, calls it ‘inadmissible’,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-changes-catechism-teaching-on-death-penalty-calls-it-inadmissible-28541, 2 August 2018, Catholic News Agency, 2 August 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180802162744/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-changes-catechism-teaching-on-death-penalty-calls-it-inadmissible-28541, live, In 2018, Francis revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church to read that “in the light of the Gospel” the death penalty is “inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person” and that the Catholic Church “works with determination for its abolition worldwide”.NEWS, Harlan, Chico, 2 August 2018, Pope Francis changes Catholic Church teaching to say death penalty is ‘inadmissible’,www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-francis-changes-catholic-church-teaching-to-say-death-penalty-is-inadmissible/2018/08/02/0d69ef5e-9647-11e8-80e1-00e80e1fdf43_story.html, 2 August 2018, The Washington Post, 2 August 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180802140910/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-francis-changes-catholic-church-teaching-to-say-death-penalty-is-inadmissible/2018/08/02/0d69ef5e-9647-11e8-80e1-00e80e1fdf43_story.html, live, In his 2020 encyclical Fratelli tutti, Francis repeated that the death penalty is “inadmissible” and that “there can be no stepping back from this position”.WEB, Pentin, Edward, 4 October 2020, Pope’s New Encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti’ Outlines Vision for a Better World,www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world, 6 October 2020, National Catholic Register, en, 5 October 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201005111314/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world, live, On 9 January 2022, Pope Francis stated in his annual speech to Vatican ambassadors: “The death penalty cannot be employed for a purported state justice, since it does not constitute a deterrent nor render justice to victims, but only fuels the thirst for vengeance”.NEWS, Pullella, Philip, 9 January 2023, Pope condemns Iran’s use of death penalty against protesters, en, Reuters,www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-wars-like-that-ukraine-are-crime-against-god-humanity-2023-01-09/, 13 January 2023, 13 January 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230113070627/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-wars-like-that-ukraine-are-crime-against-god-humanity-2023-01-09/, live,

Role of women

{{See also|Women in the Catholic Church}}On 11 January 2021, Francis allowed bishops to institute women to the ministries of acolyte and lector. While these instituted ministries were previously reserved to men, Catholic women already carry out these duties without institution in most of the world. Francis wrote that these ministries are fundamentally distinct from those reserved to ordained clergy.WEB, Lettera Apostolica in forma di Motu proprio, sulla modifica del can. 230 § 1 del Codice di Diritto Canonico circa l’accesso delle persone di sesso femminile al ministero istituito del Lettorato e dell’Accolitato (10 gennaio 2021), Francesco,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiritus-domini.html, 11 January 2021, www.vatican.va, 11 January 2021,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiritus-domini.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20210111111539www.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiritus-domini.html,">web.archive.org/web/20210111111539www.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiritus-domini.html, live, WEB, Mares, Courtney, 11 January 2021, Pope Francis admits women to ministries of lector and acolyte in new motu proprio,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-admits-women-to-ministries-of-lector-and-acolyte-in-new-motu-proprio-41309, 11 January 2021, Catholic News Agency, en, 11 January 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210111110515/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-admits-women-to-ministries-of-lector-and-acolyte-in-new-motu-proprio-41309, live, WEB, 11 January 2021, Pope Francis: Ministries of lector and acolyte to be open to women,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-opens-ministries-lector-acolyte-women.html, 11 January 2021, Vatican News, en, 11 January 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210111111255/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-opens-ministries-lector-acolyte-women.html, live, In 2023, Francis initiated dialogue on the possibility of female priests and deaconesses. In an interview for a book released in Italy the same year, Francis stated that “holy orders is reserved for men” but that “the fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation, because her place is much more important”.NEWS,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255804/pope-francis-on-women-deacons-holy-orders-is-reserved-for-men, Pope Francis on women deacons: ‘Holy orders is reserved for men’, Catholic News Agency, 25 October 2023, 25 October 2023, Hannah, Brockhaus, Rome, 25 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231025180217/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255804/pope-francis-on-women-deacons-holy-orders-is-reserved-for-men, live, In February 2021, Francis announced back-to-back appointments of women to take positions that were only held by men in the past. He appointed France’s member of the Xaviere Missionary Sisters, Nathalie Becquart as the first co-undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops. Besides, an Italian magistrate, Catia Summaria also became the first woman Promoter of Justice in the Vatican’s Court of Appeals.WEB,www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-appoints-more-women-vatican-posts-previously-held-only-n1256959, Pope Francis appoints more women to Vatican posts previously held only by men, 7 February 2021, NBC News, 7 February 2021, 7 February 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210207143436/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-appoints-more-women-vatican-posts-previously-held-only-n1256959, live, On 26 April 2023, Francis announced that 35 women would be allowed to vote at the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (making up “just over 10 percent” of all voters),NEWS, 26 April 2023, New York Times, 26 April 2023,www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/pope-women-vote-bishops-meeting.html, Pope Will Allow Women to Vote at Meeting of Bishops, Elisabetta, Povoledo, 26 April 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230426132515/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/pope-women-vote-bishops-meeting.html, live, marking the first time women are allowed to vote at any Catholic Synod of Bishops.NEWS,www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-allows-women-vote-bishops-meeting-first-time-2023-04-26/, Pope allows women to vote at bishops meeting for first time, Philip, Pullella, Reuters, 26 April 2023, www.reuters.com, 7 October 2023, 4 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231004080936/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-allows-women-vote-bishops-meeting-first-time-2023-04-26/, live,

Financial corruption

Francis was mandated by electing cardinals to sort out Vatican finances following scandals during the papacies of Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul II. He stated he is determined to end corruption in the Catholic Church but is not very optimistic due to it being a human problem dating back centuries.NEWS, 5 November 2020, Pope shakes up running of Vatican funds after London property scandal, en, Reuters,www.reuters.com/article/uk-vatican-finances-idUKKBN27L1MO, 18 December 2021, 4 February 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220204121223/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-vatican-finances-idUKKBN27L1MO, live,

Canadian indigenous residential schools

On 24 July 2022, Francis began an apostolic journey to Canada, expressing his sorrow, indignation, and shame over the church’s abuse of Canadian indigenous children in residential schools.WEB, 25 July 2022, Pope apologizes for ‘deplorable evil’ of Indigenous abuse in Canadian Catholic residential schools, CNN,www.cnn.com/2022/07/25/americas/pope-francis-canada-speech-intl/index.html, 25 July 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220725213142/https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/25/americas/pope-francis-canada-speech-intl/index.html, 25 July 2022, Francis described the Canadian Catholic Church’s role as compromising a “cultural genocide”. He apologized for the church’s role in “projects of cultural destruction” and forced assimilation. Francis promised a serious investigation into the history of abuse.

Synod on synodality

On 4 October 2023, Francis convened the beginnings of the Synod on synodality. This synod is described as the culmination of his papacy and the most important event in the Church since the Second Vatican Council.

COP28

{{Further|2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference}}In advance to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) Pope Francis issued an apostolic exhortation called Laudate Deum in which he calls for brisk action against the climate crisis and condemns climate change denial.WEB, Franziskus ruft zu raschen Maßnahmen gegen Erderwärmung auf “Laudate Deum” veröffentlicht: Papst kritisiert Klimaleugner,www.katholisch.de/artikel/47424-laudate-deum-veroeffentlicht-papst-kritisiert-klimaleugner, katholisch.de, 9 October 2023, 25 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231025160747/https://www.katholisch.de/artikel/47424-laudate-deum-veroeffentlicht-papst-kritisiert-klimaleugner, live, NEWS, Horowitz, Povoledo, Francis Issues Urgent Call to Save a Planet Near ‘the Breaking Point’, The New York Times, 4 October 2023,www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/world/europe/pope-francis-letter-climate-change.html, 9 October 2023, In the beginning of November 2023 the Pope announced he will attend the conference and will stay there for three days. It would have been the first time for a Pope to personally visit the United Nations Climate Change conference.WEB, Pope says to attend COP28 climate conference in Dubai,www.zawya.com/en/special-coverage/cop-28-talking-climate-in-uae/pope-says-to-attend-cop28-climate-conference-in-dubai-hxz06i7c, ZAWYA, Agence France-Presse (AFP), 2 November 2023, Having developed flu-like symptoms in late November, he cancelled his trip on his doctor’s orders.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/29/pope-francis-cancels-cop28-meeting-visit-climate-crisis-why-flu-illness, Pope Francis ‘still unwell’ after cancelling trip to Cop28, Lorenzo, Tondo, 29 November 2023, The Guardian,

Theological emphases

In Evangelii gaudium Francis revealed what would be the emphases of his pontificate: a missionary impulse among all Catholics, sharing the faith more actively, avoiding worldliness and more visibly living the gospel of God’s mercy, and helping the poor and working for social justice.WEB, Wooden, Cindy, 26 November 2013, A summary of the key issues raised by Pope in Evangelii Gaudium,catholicherald.co.uk/evangelii-gaudium-a-summary-of-the-key-issues-raised-by-pope/, 7 March 2023, Catholic Herald, en-GB,

Evangelization

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#The Church’s mission|}}From his first major letter Evangelii gaudium (Joy to the World), Francis called for “a missionary and pastoral conversion” whereby the laity would fully share in the missionary task of the church.WEB,www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope:-A-missionary-and-pastoral-conversion-for-a-Church-open-to-changing-its-structures-29645.html, Pope: A missionary and pastoral conversion for a Church open to changing its structures, AsiaNews.it, 25 September 2019, Then in his letter on the call of all to the same holiness, Gaudete et exsultate, Francis describes holiness as “an impulse to evangelize and to leave a mark in this world”.WEB, Aleteia, The pope’s new doc on holiness: Gaudete et Exultate in 15 key words, 9 April 2018,aleteia.org/2018/04/09/the-popes-new-doc-on-holiness-gaudete-et-exultate-in-15-key-words/, 1 October 2020, en-US,

{{Anchor|Ordination of women|Clergy}}Church governance

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Church governance|}}File:Düsseldorf Rosenmontag 2014 IMG 1350 (12915484354).jpg|thumb|A Carnival float of Francis and Germany’s prelate 259x259pxFrancis called for decentralization of governance away from Rome, and for a synodal manner of decision making in dialogue with the people.WEB, 11 February 2016, Church reform requires decentralization, synodality,www.ncronline.org/blogs/faith-and-justice/church-reform-requires-decentralization-synodality, 3 October 2020, National Catholic Reporter, en, He strongly opposed clericalismWEB, 4 January 2014, Pope: Warns that Poorly Trained Priests Can Become ‘Little Monsters’,www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/pope-warns-poorly-trained-priests-can-become-little-monsters, 3 October 2020, America Magazine, en, and made women full members of the church’s dicasteries in Rome.WEB, 11 July 2019, Theologians praise pope’s historic appointment of women as members of Vatican congregation,www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/theologians-praise-popes-historic-appointment-women-members-vatican-congregation, 25 September 2019, National Catholic Reporter,

Environment

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Environmentalism}}Francis’s naming of himself after Francis of Assisi was an early indication of how he shared Francis’s care for all of creation. This was followed in May 2015 with his major encyclical on the environment, Laudato si’ (Praise be to you)WEB, Burton, Tara Isabella, 11 July 2014, Pope Francis’s Radical Environmentalism,www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/07/pope-franciss-radical-rethinking-of-environmentalism/374300/, 1 October 2020, The Atlantic, en-US, and in October 2023 by an apostolic exhortation named Laudate Deum in which he calls for decisive action to stop climate change and condemns climate change denial.

{{Anchor|Poverty|Liberation theology}}Option for the poor

File:Pope Francis at Vargihna.jpg|thumb|Francis visits a favela in Brazil during World Youth Day 2013World Youth Day 2013{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Option for the poor|Theology of Pope Francis#Capitalism|Theology of Pope Francis#Liberation Theology}}Francis has highly extolled “popular movements”, which demonstrate the “strength of us”, serve as a remedy to the “culture of the self”, and are based on solidarity with the poor and the common good.WEB,cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/08/20/pope-says-popular-movements-are-antidote-to-populism/, Pope says popular movements are antidote to populism, cruxnow.com, 25 September 2019, 15 September 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190915093351/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/08/20/pope-says-popular-movements-are-antidote-to-populism/, dead,

{{Anchor|Abortion|Contraception and family planning|Capital punishment and life imprisonment}}Morality

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Morality as a vehicle of God’s mercy|Theology of Pope Francis#Sexual morality as Good News|Pope Francis and LGBT topics}}Cardinal Walter Kasper has called mercy “the key word of his pontificate”.BOOK, Austen, Ivereigh, The great reformer : Francis and the making of a radical pope, 2015, 978-1-250-07499-7, First, New York, 889324005, {{rp|31–32}} His papal motto Miserando atque eligendo (“by having mercy and by choosing“) contains a central theme of his papacy, God’s mercy,WEB, 17 March 2013, Pope Francis explains name, calls for church ‘for the poor’ – CNN.com,edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1,edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1," title="web.archive.org/web/20130317035923edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1,">web.archive.org/web/20130317035923edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1, 17 March 2013, 24 September 2019, WEB, The Coat of Arms of Pope Francis,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/elezione/stemma-papa-francesco.html, 1 October 2019, The Holy See, While maintaining the Catholic Church’s traditional teaching against abortion, Francis, has referred to the “obsession” of some Catholics with a few issues like “abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods” which “do not show the heart of the message of Jesus Christ”.NEWS, 30 September 2013, A Big Heart Open to God: An interview with Pope Francis, America Magazine,www.americamagazine.org/faith/2013/09/30/big-heart-open-god-interview-pope-francis, 10 June 2017,

Sex

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Sexual morality as Good News||}}Pope Francis has described sexual pleasure as “a gift from God” that should be “disciplined with patience”.NEWS, 18 January 2024, Pope Francis says sexual pleasure is ‘a gift from God’,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68016311, 7 February 2024, BBC News, en-GB, On 17 January 2024 he discussed sex at his weekly general audience saying that it was undermined by pornography, which provides “satisfaction without relationship that can generate forms of addiction”.WEB, Lust, pornography poison God’s gifts of sexuality, love, pope says {{!, USCCB |url=https://www.usccb.org/news/2024/lust-pornography-poison-gods-gifts-sexuality-love-pope-says |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=www.usccb.org |language=en}} He added that “in Christianity, there is no condemnation of the sexual instinct” and that the human experience of falling in love is “one of the purest feelings.”

LGBT

Francis has marked a significantly more accommodative tone on LGBT topics than his predecessors.WEB, Molloy, Parker Marie, 19 December 2013, Op-ed: Pope Francis Has Not Made Good on Transgender Rights,www.advocate.com/commentary/2013/12/19/op-ed-pope-francis-has-not-made-good-transgender-rights, 26 January 2024, The Advocate (magazine), The Advocate, en, In July 2013, his televised “Who am I to judge?” statement was widely reported in the international press, becoming one of his most famous statements on LGBT people.WEB, Pullella, Philip, 3 October 2016, Pope says respect gays and transsexuals, questions gender theory,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-gender-idUSKCN1220WK/, 15 January 2024, Reuters, WEB, Pullella, Philip, 6 February 2023, Pope Francis says laws criminalising LGBT people are a ‘sin’ and an injustice,www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-says-laws-criminalising-lgbt-people-are-sin-an-injustice-2023-02-05/, 16 January 2024, Reuters, WEB, 21 May 2018, Pope Francis reportedly tells gay man: “God made you like this and he loves you”,www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-tells-gay-man-god-made-you-like-this/, 15 January 2014, CBS News, en-US, In other public statements, Francis has emphasised the need to accept, welcome, and accompany LGBT people,WEB, Spadaro SJ, Antonio, Antonio Spadaro, 30 September 2013, A Big Heart Open to God: An interview with Pope Francis,www.americamagazine.org/faith/2013/09/30/big-heart-open-god-interview-pope-francis, 15 January 2024, America (magazine), America, en, In Buenos Aires I used to receive letters from homosexual persons who are ‘socially wounded’ because they tell me that they feel like the church has always condemned them. But the church does not want to do this., WEB, 2 October 2016, In-flight press conference of His Holiness Pope Francis from Azerbaijan to Rome,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2016/october/documents/papa-francesco_20161002_georgia-azerbaijan-conferenza-stampa.html, 15 January 2024, Holy See, WEB, Bordoni, Linda, 9 May 2022, Pope to LGBT Catholics: ‘God is Father who does not disown any of his children’,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-letter-fr-martin-lgtb-outreach-questions.html, 23 January 2024, Vatican News, en, including LGBT children,WEB, 26 August 2018, Apostolic Visit to Ireland: Press Conference on the return flight from Dublin to Rome (Papal flight, 26 August 2018),www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2018/august/documents/papa-francesco_20180826_irlanda-voloritorno.html, 23 January 2024, Holy See, WEB, 21 October 2020, Pope Francis calls for civil union law for same-sex couples, in shift from Vatican stance,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/46295/pope-francis-calls-for-civil-union-law-for-same-sex-couples-in-shift-from-vatican-stance, 16 January 2024, Catholic News Agency, en, and has denounced laws criminalizing homosexuality.WEB, 25 January 2023, The AP Interview: Pope says homosexuality not a crime,apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212, 23 January 2024, Associated Press, en, WEB, 27 January 2023, Pope Francis clarifies comments on homosexuality: “One must consider the circumstances.”,outreach.faith/2023/01/pope-francis-clarifies-comments-on-homosexuality-one-must-consider-the-circumstances/, 23 January 2024, Outreach Catholic, Outreach, en-US, While he has reiterated traditional Catholic teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman,WEB, 5 March 2014, Transcript: Pope Francis’ March 5 interview with Corriere della Sera,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/29153/transcript-pope-francis-march-5-interview-with-corriere-della-sera, 23 January 2024, Catholic News Agency, en, WEB, Pope Francis, Pope Francis, 19 March 2016, Amoris laetitia,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html, 15 January 2024, Holy See, 190–191, he has supported same-sex civil unions as legal protections for same-sex couples.WEB, 16 September 2021, Same-sex civil unions ‘good and helpful to many’, says Pope Francis,www.euronews.com/2021/09/16/same-sex-civil-unions-good-and-helpful-to-many-says-pope-francis, 16 January 2024, Euronews, en, Under his pontificate, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has confirmed that transgender people can be baptised,WEB, Fernández, Víctor Manuel, Víctor Manuel Fernández, Francis, Pope Francis, 31 October 2023, Answers to Several Questions from His Excellency, the Most Reverend José Negri, Bishop of Santo Amaro, Brazil, Regarding Participation in the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony by Transgender Persons and Homosexual Persons,www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_20231031-documento-mons-negri_en.html, 26 January 2024, Holy See, NEWS, 9 November 2023, Transgender people can be baptised and be godparents, Vatican says,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67366198, 26 January 2024, BBC News, en-GB, and allowed the blessing of same-sex couples in the document .WEB, Fiducia supplicans,www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_en.html, live,web.archive.org/web/20231220220316/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_en.html, 20 December 2023, 21 December 2023, Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Paragraph 31, Francis has privately met many LGBT people and activists. In 2013, Francis was named as Person of the Year by The Advocate, an American LGBT magazine.WEB, Grindley, Lucas, 16 December 2013, The Advocate’s Person of the Year: Pope Francis,www.advocate.com/year-review/2013/12/16/advocates-person-year-pope-francis, 15 January 2024, The Advocate (magazine), The Advocate, en, Relative to LGB topics, Francis has been less accommodative on transgender topics, describing gender theory and children’s education on gender-affirming surgery as “ideological colonisation”.WEB, Pope Francis, Pope Francis, 27 July 2016, Apostolic Journey to Poland: Meeting with the Polish Bishops in the Cathedral of Kraków,www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2016/july/documents/papa-francesco_20160727_polonia-vescovi.html, 23 January 2024, Holy See, In September 2015, Francis came under media scrutiny for meeting Kim Davis, a county clerk who was imprisoned for refusing to issue marriage licences for same-sex couples,WEB, Bacon, John, Eversley, Melanie, 30 September 2015, Vatican confirms pope met with Kim Davis,www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/09/30/vatican-quiet-claim-pope-met-kim-davis/73078774/, 23 January 2024, USA Today, en-US, WEB, Payne, Ed, Burke, Daniel, 2 October 2015, Pope’s meeting with Kim Davis not an endorsement, Vatican says,www.cnn.com/2015/10/02/us/kim-davis-pope/index.html, 23 January 2024, CNN, en, and in August 2018, Francis was criticized for suggesting that gay children seek psychiatric treatment.NEWS, 28 August 2018, Katholische Kirche: Vatikan ändert Papst-Zitate zur psychiatrischen Behandlung homosexueller Kinder, Catholic Church: Vatican changes Pope’s quotes on psychiatric treatment of homosexual children,www.tagesspiegel.de/gesellschaft/queerspiegel/vatikan-andert-papst-zitate-zur-psychiatrischen-behandlung-homosexueller-kinder-3982726.html, 23 January 2024, Der Tagesspiegel, de-DE, 1865-2263, As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio led public opposition to the parliamentary bill on legalizing same-sex marriage in Argentina, which was approved by the Argentine Senate on 15 July 2010.NEWS, 15 July 2010, Argentina legalises gay marriage,www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/15/argentina-gay-lesbian-marriage-legalisation, 15 January 2024, The Guardian, en-GB, 0261-3077, A letter he wrote in that campaign was criticized for using “mediaeval” and “obscurantist” language,WEB, Romo, Rafael, Rodriguez, Jose Manuel, Shoichet, Catherine E., 20 March 2013, Behind closed doors, pope supported civil unions in Argentina, activist says,www.cnn.com/2013/03/20/world/americas/argentina-pope-civil-unions/index.html, 15 January 2024, CNN, en, WEB, Abrevaya, Sebastian, 27 August 2012, “Se abroquelan para defender privilegios”, They buckle up to defend privileges,www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elpais/1-201958-2012-08-27.html, 15 January 2024, Página 12, es, WEB, 25 March 2013, “El pastor no puede ser un privilegiado, no me imagino a Jesús en el Vaticano”, The pastor cannot be privileged: I cannot imagine Jesus in the Vatican,www.lacapital.com.ar/edicion-impresa/el-pastor-no-puede-ser-un-privilegiado-no-me-imagino-jesus-el-vaticano-n549566.html, 15 January 2024, La Capital, and was later admitted by an episcopal source to be a strategic error that contributed to the bill’s success.WEB, De Vedia, Mariano, 16 July 2010, La carta de Bergoglio, un error estratégico, Bergoglio’s letter: A strategic error,www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad/la-carta-de-bergoglio-un-error-estrategico-nid1285258/, 15 January 2024, La Nación, es,

Religious persecution

{{Further|Persecution of Christians by ISIL}}Francis supported the use of force to stop Islamic militants from attacking religious minorities in Iraq.WEB,www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-endorses-use-of-force-against-isis-in-iraq-2014-8?IR=T, Pope Francis Endorses Use Of Force Against ISIS In Iraq, Nicole, Winfield, 18 August 2014, Business Insider,www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-endorses-use-of-force-against-isis-in-iraq-2014-8?IR=T," title="web.archive.org/web/20140822013237www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-endorses-use-of-force-against-isis-in-iraq-2014-8?IR=T,">web.archive.org/web/20140822013237www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-endorses-use-of-force-against-isis-in-iraq-2014-8?IR=T, 22 August 2014, live, 3 June 2015, In January 2018, Francis met with a group of Yazidi refugees in Europe and expressed his support for their right to freely profess their own faith without limitations. In the meeting, he also urged the international community “not to remain a silent and unresponsive spectator in the face of [your] tragedy”.NEWS, Bordoni, Linda, Pope Francis calls for respect for the rights of the Yazidis,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-francis-yazidi-persecuted.html, Vatican News, 24 January 2018,

Controversies

Since 2016, criticism against Francis by theological conservatives has intensified.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/04/vatican-civil-war-conservatives-battle-francis-lent, Civil war in the Vatican as conservatives battle Francis for the soul of Catholicism, Pepinster, Catherine, Catherine Pepinster, 4 March 2017, The Guardian, 5 March 2017, 0261-3077, NEWS,hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_REL_VATICAN_KNIGHTS_OF_MALTA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT, Conservative criticism intensifies against Pope Francis, Winfield, Nicole, 4 February 2017, 4 February 2017,hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_REL_VATICAN_KNIGHTS_OF_MALTA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT," title="web.archive.org/web/20170204115127hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_REL_VATICAN_KNIGHTS_OF_MALTA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT,">web.archive.org/web/20170204115127hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_REL_VATICAN_KNIGHTS_OF_MALTA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT, 4 February 2017, dead, Associated Press, NEWS,cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/03/05/pope-francis-conservative-critics-may-right/, How Pope Francis and his conservative critics may both be right, Schneider, Matthew, 5 March 2017, Crux, 7 March 2017, 26 April 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190426133043/https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/03/05/pope-francis-conservative-critics-may-right/, dead, NEWS,www.theguardian.com/news/2017/oct/27/the-war-against-pope-francis, The war against Pope Francis, Brown, Andrew, 27 October 2017, The Guardian, 1 November 2017, 0261-3077, NEWS,www.thetimes.co.uk/article/anti-reform-cardinals-want-the-pope-to-quit-z3h75h22v, Anti-reform cardinals ‘want the Pope to quit’, Willan, Philip, 2 March 2017, 5 March 2017, One commentator has described the conservative resistance against Francis as “unique in its visibility” in recent church history.NEWS,edition.cnn.com/2018/03/13/world/pope-francis-at-five-years-bill-weir/index.html, Why Pope Francis scares some conservatives, Bill, Weir, CNN, 2 September 2018, Some have explained the level of disagreement as due to his going beyond theoretical principles to pastoral discernment.WEB, Codina, Victor, 12 September 2019, Why do some Catholics oppose Pope Francis?,www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/09/12/why-do-some-catholics-oppose-pope-francis, 22 July 2020, America Magazine, en,

Sexual abuse response

{{See also|Catholic Church sexual abuse cases}}As cardinal, in 2010 Bergoglio commissioned a study which concluded that Father Julio César Grassi, a priest convicted of child sexual abuse, was innocent, that his victims were lying, and that the case against him never should have gone to trial. Despite the study, the Supreme Court of Argentina upheld the conviction and 15-year prison sentence against Grassi in March 2017.NEWS, Associated Press,cruxnow.com/global-church/2018/09/18/popes-role-in-study-of-argentine-sex-abuse-case-draws-fire/, Pope’s role in study of Argentine sex abuse case draws fire, Crux (online newspaper), Crux Now, Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, 18 September 2018, 18 September 2018, 27 April 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190427190340/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2018/09/18/popes-role-in-study-of-argentine-sex-abuse-case-draws-fire/, dead, Francis has admitted that the church “arrived late” in dealing with sexual abuse cases.NEWS, Philip, Pullella,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-abuse/pope-candidly-admits-church-arrived-late-in-confronting-abuse-idUSKCN1BW22D, Pope candidly admits Church ‘arrived late’ in confronting abuse, Reuters, 21 September 2017, 3 March 2019, During his papacy, a number of abuse survivors have expressed disappointment in Francis’s response to sex abuse in the church,MAGAZINE, Ciara, Nugent,time.com/5540867/pope-francis-sex-abuse-summit-2/, Why the Pope’s Summit on Abuse Disappointed Some Survivors, Time (magazine), Time, 28 February 2019, 3 March 2019, while others have praised him for his actions.WEB,www.foxnews.com/world/pope-francis-pontifical-secret-clergy-sex-abuse.amp, Pope Francis lifts ‘pontifical secret’ in clergy sex abuse cases used to protect pedophiles, silence victims, Fox News, 3 March 2020, In 2015, Francis was criticized for supporting Chilean bishop Juan Barros, who was accused of covering up sex crimes committed against minors.NEWS, Stephanie, Kirchgaessner,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/31/vatican-juan-barros-chile-bishop-appointment-sex-abuse, Vatican supports Chilean bishop despite allegations of sex abuse cover-up, The Guardian, London, England, 31 March 2015, 11 February 2017, In 2018, Francis acknowledged he had made “grave errors” in judgement about Barros, apologized to the victims and launched a Vatican investigation that resulted in the resignation of Barros and two other Chilean bishops.WEB,www.npr.org/2018/06/11/618825779/pope-francis-accepts-resignations-of-3-bishops-over-chilean-abuse-scandal, Pope acknowledges ‘grave errors’ in Chilean sex abuse scandal, Bill, Chappell, NPR, 11 June 2018, 3 March 2019, In 2018, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò published an open letter denouncing Francis’s handling of sexual abuse allegations against Theodore McCarrick, accusing him of knowing about allegations that McCarrick had committed sexual abuse and failing to take action. Viganò called on the Pope to resign.WEB, 26 August 2018, Viganò’s accusations: What we know and what questions they raise,www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/08/26/viganos-accusations-what-we-know-and-what-questions-they-raise, America, In November 2021, Francis thanked journalists for their work uncovering child sexual abuse scandals in the church, thanking journalists also for “helping us not to sweep it under the carpet, and for the voice you have given to the abuse victims”.NEWS, Pope thanks journalists for helping expose Church sex scandals,www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-thanks-journalists-helping-expose-church-sex-scandals-2021-11-13/, 13 November 2021, Reuters, 13 November 2021, In November 2022, French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard admitted to having sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in the 1980s in Marseille. Ricard (who was named as Cardinal by Benedict XVI in 2006NEWS, Pullella, Philip, 11 November 2022, Vatican to investigate French cardinal who abused 14-year-old girl, en, Reuters,www.reuters.com/world/europe/vatican-investigate-french-cardinal-who-abused-14-year-old-girl-2022-11-11/, 17 February 2023, ), said that he committed “reprehensible” acts with the girl while he was a priest. French authorities opened an investigation into the case while Francis commented that now that “everything is clearer [...] more cases like this shouldn’t surprise [anyone]”, and added condemnation for sexual abuse, saying it’s “against priestly nature, and also against social nature”.WEB, Wimmer, AC, 7 November 2022, French cardinal confesses to sexual abuse,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252746/french-cardinal-confesses-to-sexual-abuse, 17 February 2023, Catholic News Agency, en, NEWS, Miguel, Aura, Papa Francisco. Enfrentar abusos na Igreja “implica coragem e nem todos a têm”, Pope Francis: Facing abuses in the Church “implies courage and not everybody has it”,rr.sapo.pt/noticia/religiao/2022/11/08/papa-francisco-enfrentar-abusos-na-igreja-implica-coragem-e-nem-todos-a-tem/307165/, 9 November 2022, Sapo.pt, 8 November 2022, pt,

Theological disagreements

Amoris laetitia and the communion to the divorced and civilly remarried“>

Amoris laetitia and the communion to the divorced and civilly remarried

On a theological level, controversy arose after the publication of the apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia, especially regarding whether the exhortation had changed the Catholic Church’s sacramental discipline concerning access to the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist for divorced couples who have civilly remarried.Oullet, Marc (21 November 2017), “Accompanying, Discerning, Integrating Weakness” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105200946www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/accompanying-discerning-integrating-weakness |date=5 January 2019 }}, L’Osservatore Romano, retrieved 29 November 2017 Francis had written: “It is important that the divorced who have entered a new union should be made to feel part of the Church.” He called not for “a new set of general rules, canonical in nature and applicable to all cases”, but “a responsible personal and pastoral discernment of particular cases”. He went on to say: “It is true that general rules set forth a good which can never be disregarded or neglected, but in their formulation they cannot provide absolutely for all particular situations.“NEWS, Carroll, James, 8 April 2016, The New Morality of Pope Francis, The New Yorker,www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/new-morality-of-pope-francis-joy-of-love, 28 September 2019, 0028-792X, Four cardinals (Raymond Leo Burke, Carlo Caffarra, Walter Brandmüller, and Joachim Meisner) formally asked Francis for clarifications, particularly on the issue of giving communion to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.NEWS,www.ncregister.com/daily-news/four-cardinals-formally-ask-pope-for-clarity-on-amoris-laetitia, Four Cardinals Formally Ask Pope for Clarity on ‘Amoris Laetitia’, National Catholic Register, Edward, Pentin, 14 November 2016, 4 February 2018, They submitted five “dubia” (doubts), and requested a yes or no answer. Francis has not publicly replied.NEWS,www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/01/05/pope-francis-still-hasnt-responded-dubia-he-has-good-reason-not, Pope Francis still hasn’t responded to the dubia. He has good reason not to., America (magazine), America, Louis, J. Cameli, 5 January 2017, 3 March 2019, The exhortation has been implemented in different ways by various bishops around the world.JOURNAL, Receiving ‘Amoris Laetitia’, 1 March 2017, James, Keenan, Theological Studies, 78, 193–212, 10.1177/0040563916681995, 171761624, free, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, maintained that Amoris Laetitia should only be interpreted in line with previous doctrine. Therefore, according to Cardinal Müller, divorced and civilly remarried can have access to the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist only if they take on the duty of living in complete continence.NEWS,www.ncregister.com/daily-news/cardinal-mueller-on-communion-for-divorced-and-remarried-teaching-of-jesus, Cardinal Müller on Communion for Divorced & Remarried: Can’t Change Church Teaching, National Catholic Register, EWTN, Irondale, Alabama, 4 March 2016, 5 July 2018, NEWS,catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/02/01/cardinal-muller-communion-for-the-remarried-is-against-gods-law, Cardinal Müller: Communion for the remarried is against God’s law, Catholic Herald, Sir Rocco Forte, Lord Black of Crossharbour, London, England, 1 February 2017, 8 July 2018,catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/02/01/cardinal-muller-communion-for-the-remarried-is-against-gods-law/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180705233123catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/02/01/cardinal-muller-communion-for-the-remarried-is-against-gods-law/,">web.archive.org/web/20180705233123catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/02/01/cardinal-muller-communion-for-the-remarried-is-against-gods-law/, 5 July 2018, dead, Francis subsequently announced that dicastery prefects would be appointed for a single five-year term, and replaced Müller at the end of his term in 2017 with Luis Ladaria Ferrer.NEWS, Edward, Pentin,www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/cardinal-mueller-to-be-dismissed, Pope Francis Appoints Spanish Jesuit Ladaria to Succeed Cardinal Müller, National Catholic Register, EWTN, Irondale, AL, 3 June 2017, 8 July 2018, Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, one of the authors of the dubia, maintains that after Amoris laetitia “only a blind man could deny there’s great confusion, uncertainty and insecurity in the Church”.NEWS,cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/01/14/cardinal-says-blind-man-deny-confusion-caused-pope, Cardinal says ‘only blind man’ could deny confusion caused by Pope, Crux (online newspaper), Crux Now, Boston Globe Partners LLC, Boston, MA, 14 January 2017, 4 February 2017, 26 April 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190426145904/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/01/14/cardinal-says-blind-man-deny-confusion-caused-pope/, dead, In July 2017 a group of conservative clergy, academics and laymen signed a document labelled as a “Filial Correction” of Francis. The 25-page document, which was made public in September after it received no reply, criticized the pope for promoting what it described as seven heretical propositions through various words, actions and omissions during his pontificate.WEB,drive.google.com/file/d/0B5FGuFFkfrDvME5seVJ3TkhrRkU/view?usp=embed_facebook, “Filial Correction” of Pope Francis, 24 September 2017, Google Docs, Capuchin Father Thomas Weinandy, ex-doctrine chief of US Bishops, wrote a letter to Francis on 31 July 2017, which he subsequently made public, in which he charged that Francis is fostering “chronic confusion”, “demeaning” the importance of doctrine, appointing bishops who “scandalize” believers with dubious “teaching and pastoral practice”, giving prelates who object the impression they will be “marginalized or worse” if they speak out, and causing faithful Catholics to “lose confidence in their supreme shepherd”.NEWS,cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/11/01/ex-bishops-doctrine-chief-says-darkness-coming-light-francis/, Ex-bishops’ doctrine chief says darkness coming to light under Francis, Crux (online newspaper), Crux Now, Boston Globe Partners LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, 1 November 2017, 1 November 2017, 22 May 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190522133907/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/11/01/ex-bishops-doctrine-chief-says-darkness-coming-light-francis/, dead, A defence of Amoris Laetitia came from philosopher Rocco Buttiglione who accused its critics of “ethical objectivism”. He said that the critics cannot deny that “there are mitigating circumstances in which a mortal sin (a sin that would otherwise be mortal) becomes a lighter sin, a venial sin. There are therefore some cases in which remarried divorcees can (through their confessor and after an adequate spiritual discernment) be considered in God’s grace and therefore deserving of receiving the sacraments”.NEWS,www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2017/11/20/news/here-is-the-deviation-in-which-amoris-laetitia-s-critics-fall-1.34388313, “Here is the deviation in which Amoris Laetitia’s critics fall”, Vatican Insider, La Stampa, Italy, 20 November 2017, 21 March 2022,

Document on Human Fraternity

The Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together is a joint statement signed by Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, on 4 February 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This joint statement is concerned with how different faiths can live peaceably in the same world and areas and later inspired the International Day of Human Fraternity, as acknowledged by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in different occasions.WEB, First-ever International Day of Human Fraternity focuses on tolerance,news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1083832, 3 February 2022, United Nations, 4 February 2021, en-US, WEB, Secretary-General’s message for 2022: International Day of Human Fraternity,www.un.org/en/observances/human-fraternity/messages, 3 February 2022, United Nations, en-US, Criticisms focused particularly on the passage about God’s will with regard to the diversity of religions, claiming that the “pluralism and the diversity of religions, colour, sex, race and language are willed by God in His wisdom, through which He created human beings”.WEB, Pope Francis, Al-Tayyeb, Ahmad, 4 February 2019, Document on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahamad al-Tayyib (Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019),www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2019/outside/documents/papa-francesco_20190204_documento-fratellanza-umana.html, 13 June 2020, w2.vatican.va, WEB, Reynolds, Gabriel, 12 April 2019, After Abu Dhabi,www.commonwealmagazine.org/after-abu-dhabi, 13 June 2020, Commonweal Magazine, Catholic theologian Chad Pecknold wrote that this sentence was “puzzling, and potentially problematic”.WEB, Farrow, Mary, 4 February 2019, Pope Francis signs peace declaration on ‘Human Fraternity’ with Grand Imam,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-signs-peace-declaration-on-human-fraternity-with-grand-imam-98253, 13 June 2020, Catholic News Agency, en, Some Catholic observers tried to understand it as an allusion to the “permissive will” of God, allowing evil on earth. Pecknold wrote that the diversity of religions might also be “evidence of our natural desire to know God”. Bishop Athanasius Schneider claims that Pope Francis clarified to him that he was referring to “the permissive will of God”.WEB, Gabriel, Pedro,wherepeteris.com/pluralism-and-the-will-of-god-is-there-another-way-to-look-at-it/, Pluralism and the will of God... is there another way to look at it?, Where Peter Is, 12 March 2019, 21 March 2022, Traditionis custodes and the restriction of the Tridentine Mass“>

Traditionis custodes and the restriction of the Tridentine Mass

In July 2021, Francis issued, motu proprio, the apostolic letter titled Traditionis custodes, which reversed the decision of his immediate predecessor Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum and imposed new restrictions on the use of the Traditional Latin Mass. The letter returned to the bishops the power to grant or suppress the Latin Mass in their particular dioceses, and requires newly ordained priests to first request permission before performing the old rite, among other changes.NEWS, Pope Francis renews restrictions on old Latin Mass, reversing Benedict XVI, en-US, The Washington Post,www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-francis-latin-mass/2021/07/16/5fe7238e-e638-11eb-88c5-4fd6382c47cb_story.html, 19 July 2021, 0190-8286, NEWS, Horowitz, Jason, 16 July 2021, Pope Francis Restricts Use of Old Latin Mass, in a Blow to Conservatives, en-US, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/world/europe/pope-francis-old-latin-mass.html,ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/world/europe/pope-francis-old-latin-mass.html, 28 December 2021, limited, 19 July 2021, 0362-4331, {{cbignore}} Traditionis custodes, which Pope Francis published and came into immediate effect on 16 July, has been criticized by prelates such as Cardinals Raymond Burke, Gerhard Müller and Joseph Zen, as well as many lay faithful who attend the traditional Latin Mass. The most general criticism is that the restrictions are unnecessary, needlessly harsh, and implemented in an unjustifiably swift fashion.“WEB, Pentin, Edward, Latin Mass Society: ‘Traditionis Custodes’ Regulates Not Abrogrates Older Liturgy,www.ncregister.com/news/latin-mass-society-traditionis-custodes-regulates-not-abrogrates-older-liturgy, 23 July 2021, NCR, 22 July 2021, en, The motu proprio was later confirmed by Francis through the apostolic letter Desiderio desideravi.WEB, Apostolic Letter “Desiderio desideravi”,press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2022/06/29/0501/01027.html#ing, 24 September 2022, press.vatican.va, Fiducia supplicans and the blessing of couples in irregular situations“>

Fiducia supplicans and the blessing of couples in irregular situations

In December 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a declaration, Fiducia supplicans, approved by Francis.WEB, Declaration Fiducia Supplicans On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings (18 December 2023),www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_en.html, 22 January 2024, www.vatican.va, Fiducia supplicans intended to provide clarification and reforms on the Catholic Church’s treatment of “irregular relationships”, defined as those who establish a monogamous and emotional bond that lasts over time and have not contracted a Catholic marriage. Notably, it allows Catholic priests to perform “spontaneous blessings” of same-sex couples, as well as opposite-sex couples who are not married, and civilly married couples at least one party of which was previously divorced but has not received an annulment.WEB, 18 December 2023, Doctrinal declaration opens possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations,www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-12/fiducia-supplicans-doctrine-faith-blessing-irregular-couples.html, 22 January 2024, Vatican News, en, Fiducia supplicans sparked considerable controversy and criticism among Catholics, including from several conservative commentators, clerical congregations, and high-profile cardinals, bishops, priests, and lay people.WEB, Pentin, Edward, 18 January 2024, Marking One Month of ‘Fiducia Supplicans’: Opposition Shows No Signs of Abating,www.ncregister.com/news/marking-one-month-of-fiducia-supplicans-opposition-shows-no-signs-of-abating, 22 January 2024, National Catholic Register, en, NEWS, Horowitz, Jason, 4 January 2024, Vatican Defends Gay Blessings, but Offers Critics Some Leeway,www.nytimes.com/2024/01/04/world/europe/vatican-pope-lgbtq-blessings.html, 22 January 2024, The New York Times, en-US, 0362-4331, WEB, Coppen, Luke, 19 December 2023, ‘Fiducia supplicans’: Who’s saying what?,www.pillarcatholic.com/p/fiducia-supplicans-whos-saying-what, 22 January 2024, The Pillar, en, Cardinal Gerhard Müller called it “sacrilegious and blasphemous” and “self-contradictory”.WEB, Müller, Gerhard, Müller: Blessings for gay couples are blasphemous,newdailycompass.com/en/mueller-blessings-for-gay-couples-are-blasphemous, 22 January 2024, newdailycompass.com, en, Cardinal Robert Sarah described the blessing of couples in irregular situations as “a heresy that seriously undermines the Church”.WEB, Quiñones, Kate, Cardinal Sarah speaks out against clergy blessing same-sex unions,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256481/cardinal-sarah-speaks-out-against-clergy-blessing-same-sex-unions, 22 January 2024, Catholic News Agency, en, On 11 January 2024, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu announced that all episcopal conferences in Africa, represented in SECAM, would reject blessings for same-sex couples, stating that “the extra-liturgical blessings proposed in the declaration...cannot be carried out in Africa without exposing themselves to scandals”.WEB, 12 January 2024, African bishops reject same-sex blessings en masse,catholicherald.co.uk/schism-looms-as-african-bishops-reject-same-sex-blessings-document-en-masse/, 22 January 2024, Catholic Herald, en-GB, NEWS, 11 January 2024, Africa’s Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God’s will,www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/11/vatican-lgbtq-blessing-africa-france/9a428208-b09d-11ee-9a32-5c9e6aa28b3b_story.html, 22 January 2024, Washington Post, en-US, 0190-8286,

International policy

File:Raul-castro-papa-francisco.jpg|thumb|upright|Francis with Cuban leader Raúl CastroRaúl CastroFrancis has regularly been accused by conservatives of having a “soft spot” for leftist populist movements.WEB,www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2020/02/24/pope-francis-wayward-shepherd/, Pope Francis, Wayward Shepherd, Mahoney, Daniel, 6 February 2020, National Review, 8 February 2020, After Francis’s visit to Cuba in 2015, Catholic Yale historian Carlos Eire said Francis had a “preferential option for the oppressors” in Cuba.WEB,www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2015/09/when-francis-came-to-cuba, When Francis Came to Cuba, Eire, Carlos, 24 September 2015, First Things, 8 February 2020, Francis is hostile to right-wing populism.WEB,catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/the-vaticans-authoritarian-friend/, Why did Evo Morales find such favour at the Vatican?, De Souza, Raymond, 28 November 2019, Catholic Herald, 8 February 2020, Since 2016, Francis has been contrasted with US President Donald Trump,NEWS, Ivereigh, Austen, 4 March 2017, Is the Pope the Anti-Trump?, The New York Times, New York City,www.nytimes.com/2017/03/04/opinion/sunday/is-the-pope-the-anti-trump.html, live, subscription, 7 March 2017,web.archive.org/web/20170304213826/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/04/opinion/sunday/is-the-pope-the-anti-trump.html, 4 March 2017, 0362-4331, elected that year, with some conservative critics drawing comparisons between the two.NEWS, Schmitz, Matthew, 19 February 2016, What Donald Trump and Pope Francis actually have in common, The Washington Post, Nash Holdings LLC, Washington, DC,www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/02/19/what-donald-trump-and-pope-francis-actually-have-in-common, 7 February 2017, NEWS, Douthat, Ross, 15 February 2017, The Trump Era’s Catholic Mirror, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/opinion/the-trump-eras-catholic-mirror.html, 16 February 2017, 0362-4331, During the 2016 United States presidential election, Francis said of Trump, “A person who only thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. That is not the gospel.” Trump responded, “For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful.” Federico Lombardi said that Francis’s comments were not “a personal attack, nor an indication of who to vote for”.WEB, Vale, Paul, 19 February 2016, Donald Trump Stares Down The Pope As Vatican Back Peddles On ‘Not A Christian’ Attack,www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/19/donald-trump-stares-down-pope-_n_9276220.html, 3 January 2019, Huffington Post Media Group, Huffington Post, The Huffington Post UK, London, Francis has supported the Vatican-China agreement, intended to normalize the situation of China’s Catholics,NEWS, China Is Already Breaking Its Vatican Deal,foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/17/china-francis-vatican/, Foreign Policy, 17 September 2020, which was criticized by Cardinal Joseph Zen as a step toward the “annihilation” of the Catholic Church in China.WEB,cruxnow.com/church-in-asia-oceania/2018/10/cardinal-zen-the-vatican-is-badly-mishandling-china-situation/, cardinal-zen-the-vatican-is-badly-mishandling-china-situation, 26 October 2018, cruxnow.com, 8 February 2020, WEB,international.la-croix.com/news/cardinal-zen-targets-vatican-silence-on-china-hong-kong/11447, Cardinal Zen targets Vatican silence on China, Hong Kong – La Croix International, Sainsbury, Michael, 9 December 2019, La Croix, 8 February 2020, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said cooperating with the Chinese Communist Party puts the pope’s moral authority at risk.NEWS, Pompeo Calls On Pope Francis to Defend Religious Freedom in China,www.wsj.com/articles/pompeo-calls-on-pope-francis-to-defend-religious-freedom-in-china-11601474849, The Wall Street Journal, 30 September 2020, In September 2020, Pompeo urged Francis to stand against China’s human rights violations.NEWS, Rebuffed by Vatican, Pompeo Assails China and Aligns With Pope’s Critics,www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/world/europe/pompeo-pope-francis-china.html,web.archive.org/web/20200930234028/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/world/europe/pompeo-pope-francis-china.html, 30 September 2020, subscription, live, The New York Times, 30 September 2020, In November, Francis named China’s Uyghur minority among a list of the world’s persecuted peoples. He wrote: “I think often of persecuted peoples: the Rohingya [Muslims in Myanmar], the poor Uighurs, the Yazidi—what ISIS did to them was truly cruel—or Christians in Egypt and Pakistan killed by bombs that went off while they prayed in church.” Zhao Lijian, the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of China, said Francis’s remarks had “no factual basis at all”.NEWS, China dismisses Pope Francis’s comments about persecution of Uighurs,www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/25/china-dismisses-pope-franciss-comments-about-persecution-of-uighurs, The Guardian, 25 November 2020, File:Donald Trump Pope Francis Melania Trump in 2017.jpg|left|thumb|Francis with U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania in 2017]]In response to criticism from Venezuela’s bishops, President Nicolás Maduro said in 2017 that he had the support of Francis.NEWS, Ines, San Martin,cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/05/15/venezuelan-president-accuses-bishops-ignoring-pope-francis/, Venezuelan president accuses bishops of ignoring Pope Francis, Crux (online newspaper), Crux, 15 May 2017, 3 March 2019, 6 March 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190306043959/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/05/15/venezuelan-president-accuses-bishops-ignoring-pope-francis/, dead, WEB, John Jr., Allen,cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/05/19/pope-francis-plan-venezuela-give-time-work/, Pope Francis has a plan for Venezuela: Give it time to work, Crux (online newspaper), Crux, 19 May 2017, 3 March 2019, 6 March 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190306044644/https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/05/19/pope-francis-plan-venezuela-give-time-work/, dead, Francis met with the country’s bishops in June 2017, and the Venezuelan bishops’ conference president stated, “There is no distance between the episcopal conference and the Holy See.“NEWS, Cindy, Wooden,www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/amid-nations-crisis-venezuelan-bishops-meet-pope.cfm,www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/amid-nations-crisis-venezuelan-bishops-meet-pope.cfm," title="web.archive.org/web/20170608161205www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/amid-nations-crisis-venezuelan-bishops-meet-pope.cfm,">web.archive.org/web/20170608161205www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/amid-nations-crisis-venezuelan-bishops-meet-pope.cfm, dead, 8 June 2017, Amid nation’s crisis, Venezuelan bishops meet pope, Catholic News Service, 8 June 2017, 3 March 2019, In January 2019, 20 former presidents in Latin America wrote a letter to Francis criticizing his Christmas address regarding the ongoing Venezuelan crisis for being too simplistic and for not acknowledging what they believed to be the causes of the suffering of the victims of the crisis.NEWS, Frances, Jenner,andestimes.com/latin-american-former-leaders-criticise-popes-christmas-message/2101/, Latin American former leaders criticise Pope’s Christmas message, Andes Times, 10 January 2019, 3 March 2019, Francis has sought peace in the crisis without picking a side.NEWS, Nicole, Winfield, Juan, Zamorano,apnews.com/4d5745dcd9114f78b5a6000e1dc1efde, Pope seeks peace in Venezuela crisis but doesn’t pick sides, Associated Press, 27 January 2019, 3 March 2019, In 2019, during the Hong Kong protests, Francis was criticized by Catholic clergy in Hong Kong, with Cardinal Joseph Zen criticizing him for not taking a stand against China and instead being quoted as saying “I would like to go to China. I love China”. Francis compared the protests in Hong Kong to those seen in Chile and in France.NEWS, Riordan, Primrose, Hong Kong’s Catholics defy Vatican over protests,www.ft.com/content/360bc752-f6ea-11e9-a79c-bc9acae3b654, 1 September 2021, Financial Times, 5 December 2019,

International diplomatic role

File:Pope Francis Travels.svg|thumb| Map indicating countries visited by Francis as pope ]]Francis played a key role in the talks toward restoring full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. The restoration was jointly announced by U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro on 17 December 2014. The headline in the Los Angeles Times on 19 December was “Bridge to Cuba via Vatican”, with the further lead “In a rare and crucial role, Francis helped keep U.S. talks with Havana on track and guided final deal.“NEWS, Paul, Richter, Tom, Kington,www.latimes.com/local/la-todays-paper-20141219-htmlstory.html, Bridge to Cuba Via Vatican, Los Angeles Times, 19 December 2014, 27 October 2018, The pope, along with the Government of Canada, was a behind-the-scenes broker of the agreement, taking the role following President Obama’s request during his visit to the pope in March 2014.NEWS, Barbie Latza, Nadeau,www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/17/the-pope-s-diplomatic-miracle-ending-the-u-s-cuba-cold-war.html, The Pope’s Diplomatic Miracle: Ending the U.S.–Cuba Cold War, The Daily Beast, IAC (company), IAC, New York City, 17 December 2014, 18 December 2014, The success of the negotiations was credited to Francis because “as a religious leader with the confidence of both sides, he was able to convince the Obama and Castro administrations that the other side would live up to the deal”. En route to the United States for a visit in September 2015, the pope stopped in Cuba. “The plan comes amid a breakthrough for which Francis has received much credit.“NEWS, Tracy, Wilkinson,www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-pope-cuba-20150422-story.html, Pope Francis to stop in Cuba en route to U.S., Vatican announces, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, 22 April 2015, 29 July 2015,www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-pope-cuba-20150422-story.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150730034810www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-pope-cuba-20150422-story.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150730034810www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-pope-cuba-20150422-story.html, 30 July 2015, live, The Cuba visit “seals that accomplishment, in which he served as a bridge between two erstwhile enemies”. According to one expert on religion in Latin America, Mario Paredes, the pope’s visit to Cuba was consistent with his aim to promote an understanding of the role of the Cuban Revolution and that of the Catholic Church. When Francis was archbishop of Buenos Aires, he authored a text entitled “Dialogues Between John Paul II and Fidel Castro”. John Paul was the first pope to visit Cuba. In May 2015, Francis met with Cuban leader Raúl Castro. After the meeting in Vatican City on 10 May 2015, Castro said that he was considering returning to the Catholic Church.WEB, Eliott C., McLaughlin,edition.cnn.com/2015/05/10/europe/italy-raul-castro-pope-francis-meeting/, Raul Castro may join Catholic Church, he says after Pope Francis meeting, CNN, Atlanta, Georgia, 14 May 2015, 3 June 2015, He said in a televised news conference, “I read all the speeches of the pope, his commentaries, and if the pope continues this way, I will go back to praying and go back to the [Catholic] church. I am not joking.“NEWS, Jim, Yardley, Praising Pope, Cuban President Says He might return to church,www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html,www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150510224154www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150510224154www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html, 10 May 2015, subscription, live, The New York Times, New York City, 10 May 2015, 27 October 2018, A4, Castro said that, when the pope came, “I promise to go to all his Masses and with satisfaction”.File:Korea Pope Francis Arrive Seoul Airport 03.jpg|thumb|Francis with South Korean President Park Geun-hyePark Geun-hyeIn May 2014, his visit to the State of Israel, where he delivered 13 speeches, was heavily publicized.WEB, David, Willey,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27469349, Pope Francis to tread careful path on Mid-East visit, BBC News, London, England, 23 May 2014, 11 February 2017, Protests against his visit resulted in an alleged arson attempt at the Dormition Abbey.NEWS, 11 December 2016, Holy Land: Vandal tries to set fire to Dormition Abbey,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/holy-land-vandal-tries-to-set-fire-to-dormition-abbey/, Catholic News Agency, The cave under the Church of the Nativity caught fire the night after his visit.NEWS, Novus Ordo Watch, Fire breaks out at Nativity Church shortly after Francis visits Bethlehem, 2014, In May 2015, Francis welcomed Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican. Several media outlets reported that Francis praised Abbas as “an angel of peace”, though his actual words were the following: “The angel of peace destroys the evil spirit of war. I thought about you: may you be an angel of peace.“NEWS, Edward, Pentin,www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/the-pope-mahmoud-abbas-and-the-angel-of-peace, The Pope, Mahmoud Abbas, and the ‘Angel of Peace’, National Catholic Register, Boston Globe Media Partners LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, 18 May 2015, 18 May 2015, The Vatican signed a treaty recognizing the state of Palestine.NEWS,www.timesofisrael.com/vatican-signs-treaty-recognizing-state-of-palestine/, Vatican signs treaty recognizing State of Palestine, 26 June 2015, The Times of Israel, 2 August 2015, The Vatican issued statements concerning the hope that the peace talks could resume between Israel and Palestine. Abbas’s visit was on the occasion of the canonization of two Palestinian nuns.NEWS, Elisabetta, Povoledo,www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/europe/in-vatican-abbas-is-praised-as-angel-of-peace.html,www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/europe/in-vatican-abbas-is-praised-as-angel-of-peace.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150517035411www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/europe/in-vatican-abbas-is-praised-as-angel-of-peace.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150517035411www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/europe/in-vatican-abbas-is-praised-as-angel-of-peace.html, 17 May 2015, subscription, live, At Vatican, Abbas is Praised as ‘Angel of Peace’, The New York Times, 17 May 2015, File:Pope Francis in Sarajevo 06 (cropped).JPG|thumb|Crowd at the KoÅ¡evo City Stadium in SarajevoSarajevoOn 6 June 2015, Francis visited Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He urged peace during his time in the religiously diverse city, known as the “Jerusalem of Europe”.NEWS, Nic, Robertson, Laura, Smith-Spark, Faith, Karimi,edition.cnn.com/2015/06/06/europe/bosnia-pope-francis-visit/index.html, Pope Francis urges peace on visit to Sarajevo, ‘Jerusalem of Europe’, CNN, Atlanta, Georgia, 6 June 2015, 6 June 2015, On 25 September 2015, Francis addressed the United Nations in New York City.NEWS,www.nytimes.com/live/pope-visit-2015, Pope Francis Addresses the U.N.: Live Updates, The New York Times, 25 September 2015, 25 September 2015, On 16 April 2016, he visited, together with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronimos II of Athens, the Moria Refugee Camp on the Greek island of Lesbos, to call the attention of the world to the refugee issue. There the three Christian leaders signed a joint declaration.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2016/apr/16/pope-francis-europe-visits-lesbos-in-pictures, Pope Francis visits Lesbos, The Guardian, London, England, 16 April 2016, 27 October 2018, In January 2017, Francis demanded the resignation of Matthew Festing, the 79th Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The Pope’s demand came as a response to Festing and Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke firing Baron Albrecht von Boeselager from his position in the Order of Malta. The Order, in May 2017, appointed a new leader in the person of Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto.NEWS,www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/ancient-order-malta-faces-era-change-interim-leader-elected, Ancient Order of Malta faces era of change as interim leader is elected, Josephine McKenna, 1 May 2017, National Catholic Reporter, 2 February 2019, File:Vladimir Putin with Franciscus (2015-06-10) 1.jpg|thumb|left|Francis shaking hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in front of Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir PutinOn 24 May 2017, Francis met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Vatican City, where they discussed the contributions of Catholics to the United States and to the world. They discussed issues of mutual concern, including how religious communities can combat human suffering in crisis regions, such as Syria, Libya, and ISIS-controlled territory. They also discussed terrorism and the radicalization of young people. The Vatican’s secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, raised the issue of climate change and encouraged Trump to remain in the Paris Agreement.WEB, Trump: Meeting Pope Francis ‘the honor of a lifetime’,www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/24/trump-meeting-pope-francis-honor-lifetime.html, Fox News Channel, New York City, 24 May 2017, 26 May 2017, At the 2017 World Food Day ceremony, Francis reiterated that “we see the consequences [of climate change] every day” and that we “know how the problems are to be faced ... [t]hanks to scientific knowledge.” He said that “the international community has drawn up the necessary legal instruments, such as the Paris Agreement, from which however some are withdrawing. There is a re-emergence of the nonchalance towards the delicate balances of ecosystems, the presumption of being able to manipulate and control the planet’s limited resources, and greed for profit.“WEB, Visit of the Holy Father Francis to the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome for World Food Day,press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/10/16/171016a.html, 16 June 2019, Francis visited Ireland in 2018, in what was the first papal tour of the country since John Paul II’s historic trip in 1979.NEWS, Henry, McDonald, 0261-3077,www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/28/pope-francis-to-visit-ireland-in-2018, 28 November 2016, Pope Francis to visit Ireland in 2018, The Guardian, London, England, 28 November 2016, While in Ireland he apologized for abuses by clergy in the United States and Ireland.WEB, Ortiz, Erik, 20 August 2018, Pope apologizes for priest sex abuse scandal with ‘sorrow and shame’,www.nbcnews.com/news/pope-francis/pope-francis-apologizes-catholic-priest-sex-abuse-scandal-sorrow-shame-n902121, 27 August 2018, NBC News, New York City, File:Pope Francis visit Bethlehem.jpg|thumb|Francis in Bethlehem, Palestine, 25 May 2014]]In February 2019, Francis visited Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on the invitation of Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Francis became the first pope to hold a papal Mass on the Arabian Peninsula, with more than 120,000 attendees in the Zayed Sports City Stadium on 5 February.NEWS, Reuters, 5 February 2019,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-emirates/tens-of-thousands-pack-stadium-for-first-papal-mass-on-arabian-peninsula-idUSKCN1PU0H9?il=0, Tens of thousands pack stadium for first papal mass on Arabian Peninsula, Francis made the plight of refugees and migrants “a core component of his pastoral work”, and has defended their rights in dialogue both with Europe and with the United States. He went on to place a statue in St. Peter’s Square to bring attention to the Christian imperative involved in their situation (Hebrews 13:2).NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-wall-idUSKBN15N1ZW, Don’t build walls, Pope Francis says, 8 February 2017, Reuters, 2 October 2019, WEB, Friedman, Uri, 16 April 2016, The Atlantic,www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/04/refugees-pope-francis-lesbos/477870/, ‘The Globalization of Indifference’: How Pope Francis Sees the Refugee Crisis, 2 October 2019, WEB, New Vatican Statue Proclaims Pope Francis’ Concern For Refugees, 1 October 2019,www.huffpost.com/entry/angels-unaware-statue-pope-francis_n_5d93bf92e4b0ac3cddb05a56, Carol, Kuruvilla, HuffPost, 2 October 2019, In line with this policy, Francis has criticized neo-nationalists and populists who reject the acceptance of refugees.WEB, 20 August 2019, Pope says popular movements are ‘antidote’ to populism,cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/08/pope-says-popular-movements-are-antidote-to-populism/, 20 June 2021, Crux, en-CA, WEB, Momigliano, Anna, 23 May 2017, Catholic Populists Have to Respect the Pope, but They Love Trump, The Atlantic, en,www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/05/catholic-populists-trump-pope-francis-vatican/527766/, 20 June 2021, In March 2021, Pope Francis held a historic meeting with Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and visited the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, Ur. Giving a message of peaceful coexistence, he and the Iraqi cleric urged the Muslim and Christian communities to work together in unity for peace.NEWS,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-iraq/pope-francis-holds-historic-meeting-with-iraqs-top-shiite-cleric-idUSKBN2AY07Y, Pope Francis meets Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric, visits birthplace of Prophet Abraham, 6 March 2021, Reuters, 6 March 2021, WEB, ABC News,abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pope-francis-meets-top-shiite-cleric-iraq-76292195, Pope, top Iraq Shiite cleric hold historic, symbolic meeting, 6 March 2021, File:Wizyta w Watykanie (42556254741).jpg|thumb|Francis with Polish Prime Minister leftOn 9 May 2021, Francis called for peace between Israel and Palestinians and an end to clashes in Jerusalem during his Regina caeli address.NEWS, Mares, Courtney, 11 May 2021, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says violence requires ‘an urgent intervention’, Catholic News Agency,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247617/latin-patriarchate-of-jerusalem-says-violence-requires-an-urgent-intervention, NEWS, O’Connell, Gerard, 9 May 2021, Pope Francis calls for an end to clashes in Jerusalem, America Magazine,www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/05/09/pope-francis-clashes-jerusalem-violence-holy-land-peace-israel, live,web.archive.org/web/20210509144945/https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/05/09/pope-francis-clashes-jerusalem-violence-holy-land-peace-israel, 9 May 2021, Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country, Francis said that the withdrawal of troops was “legitimate” but said that the process of evacuations was “not thought through” and criticized the war for having failed at nation-building. He also stated that the Vatican is in talks with the Taliban through Cardinal Pietro Parolin to discourage the Taliban on taking reprisal measures against civilians.NEWS, Glatz, Carol, Pope Francis: Afghanistan withdrawal was not completely thought through,www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/08/31/pope-francis-afghanistan-withdrawal-241313, 2 September 2021, America Magazine, 31 August 2021, NEWS, Matranga, Anna, Pope Francis takes a jab at America’s policy in Afghanistan,www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-news-us-afghanistan-policy-health-after-surgery/, 2 September 2021, CBS News, 1 September 2021, On 1 September 2021, Francis publicly defended the dialogue with China on the appointment of new bishops. Francis stated that uneasy dialogue was better than no dialogue at all, and emphasized in improving strained ties with the Chinese government.NEWS, Pullella, Philip, Pope defends deal with China, says dialogue necessary,www.reuters.com/world/china/pope-defends-deal-with-china-says-dialogue-necessary-2021-09-01/, 1 September 2021, Reuters, 1 September 2021, On All Souls’ Day, on 1 November 2021, Francis visited a war cemetery in Rome and paid tribute to fallen soldiers during the Battle of Anzio in World War II as well as at the Piave River, in Italy, during World War I. Francis also praised military casualties for “fighting for their homeland and values” and called for global peace.NEWS, Mares, Courtney, Pope Francis celebrates All Souls’ Day Mass at military cemetery in Rome,angelusnews.com/news/vatican/pope-francis-celebrates-all-souls-day-mass-at-military-cemetery-in-rome/, 3 November 2021, Angelus News, 2 November 2021, NEWS, Glatz, Carol, Pope Francis on All Souls Day: The tombs of fallen soldiers cry out for peace,www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/11/02/pope-francis-all-souls-war-241762, 3 November 2021, America (magazine), America, 2 November 2021, File:Pope Francis and Sergio Mattarella 2022.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Pope Francis with Italian President Sergio MattarellaSergio MattarellaOn 16 April 2022, Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov attended Easter services in the Vatican with the Pope. Ukrainian politicians Maria Mezentseva, Olena Khomenko, and Rusem Umerov were also in attendance.Pope Francis said: “In this darkness of war, in the cruelty, we are all praying for you and with you this night. We are praying for all the suffering. We can only give you our company, our prayer”, further stating “the biggest thing you can receive: Christ is risen”, speaking the last three words in Ukrainian.NEWS, Ukrainian politicians, including Melitopol mayor, attend Vatican Easter vigil,www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-17/melitopol-mayor-and-ukrainian-politicians-attend-vatican-easter-/100995968, 17 April 2022, ABC News, 17 April 2022, en, On 25 July 2022, at the Powwow ceremonial grounds on the Cree Nation reservation in Edmonton, Canada, the Pope expressed “deep sorrow” at the Cemetery. “I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples”, Francis said.Pope apologizes for ‘catastrophic’ school policy in Canada (msn.com) Four chiefs escorted the pontiff to the site near the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School, and presented him with a feathered headdress after he spoke, making him an honorary leader of the community.Pope Francis Visits Indigenous Residential School Survivors | TimeIn January 2023, in an interview with the Associated Press, Francis called the criminalization of homosexuality “unjust”, calling on the Catholic Church to work towards its abolition by “distinguish[ing] between a sin and crime”. He called on bishops supporting such laws to “have a process of conversion”. Francis repeated his condemnation the following month, saying that “criminalising people with homosexual tendencies is an injustice”.Francis condemned Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel. He also criticized Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war, saying that “terror should not justify terror”.NEWS, Dispute erupts over whether pope called Gaza situation a ‘genocide’,www.reuters.com/world/pope-says-conflict-between-israel-hamas-has-gone-beyond-war-terrorism-2023-11-22/, Reuters, 22 November 2023, He condemned the killing of two Palestinian Christian women by an IDF sniper in Gaza, calling it “terrorism”.MAGAZINE, 17 December 2023, “It is Terrorism”: Pope Francis Denounces Killing of Two Christian Women in Gaza,www.vanityfair.com/news/pope-francis-israel-gaza-deaths, 19 December 2023, Vanity Fair, en-US, Throughout the war, Francis has called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages,NEWS, Armellini, Alvise, Pope Francis, in Easter address, calls for Gaza ceasefire,www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-easter-address-calls-gaza-ceasefire-2024-03-31/, Reuters, 31 March 2024, and the establishment of a two-state solution.NEWS, O’Connell, Gerard, Pope Francis: No peace in Israel and Palestine without two-state solution,www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/01/29/pope-francis-israel-palestine-two-state-solution-247038, America Magazine, 29 January 2024,

Public image

{{See also|List of places and things named after Pope Francis}}{{external media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage = (File:Pope Francis (27056871831) (cropped).jpg|210px) Popular mainstream media frequently portray Francis either as a progressive papal reformer or with liberal, moderate values.NEWS, Waters, John, 20 July 2014, Does Pope Francis have a cunning plan?, Irish Independent,www.independent.ie/opinion/does-pope-francis-have-a-cunning-plan-30444898.html, live, 18 August 2014,www.independent.ie/opinion/does-pope-francis-have-a-cunning-plan-30444898.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140720053304www.independent.ie/opinion/does-pope-francis-have-a-cunning-plan-30444898.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140720053304www.independent.ie/opinion/does-pope-francis-have-a-cunning-plan-30444898.html, 20 July 2014, The Vatican has claimed that Western news outlets often seek to portray his message with a less-doctrinal tone of papacy, in hopes of extrapolating his words to convey a more merciful and tolerant message.MAGAZINE, Mark, Binelli,www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/pope-francis-the-times-they-are-a-changin-20140128, Pope Francis Cover Story: The Times They Are A-Changin’, Rolling Stone, 28 January 2014, 24 May 2014, NEWS,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-spokesman-media-manipulated-popes-comments-on-families/, Vatican spokesman: media manipulated Pope’s family comments, 7 January 2014, Catholic News Agency, 3 June 2015, In the news media, both faithful and non-believers often refer to a “honeymoon” phase in which the pope has changed the tone on Catholic doctrines and supposedly initiated ecclesiastical reform in the Vatican.JOURNAL,www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/frame_game/2013/09/pope_francis_interview_forget_homosexuality_and_birth_control_he_s_a_flaming.html, Pope Francis Is a Liberal, Saletan, William, William Saletan, 19 September 2013, Slate, 20 May 2014, WEB, Luke, Coppen,www.spectator.co.uk/features/9112081/the-fantasy-francis/, Sorry – but Pope Francis is no liberal, The Spectator, 11 January 2014, 24 May 2014, WEB, O’Loughlin, Michael,www.advocate.com/politics/religion/2014/01/28/catholics-urge-pope-francis-speak-out-lgbt-rights, Catholics Urge Pope Francis to Speak Out for LGBT Rights, Advocate, 28 January 2014, 24 May 2014, Media systems differ, too, not only in their coverage of Francis’s stances but also in how individual events are portrayed. His 2015 trip to Cuba is a prime example. During this trip, American-based AP and British-based Reuters highlighted the religious aspect of the pope’s journey while Prensa Latina, the official state media agency, depicted it as a diplomatic visit. American and British media were also more likely during this trip to show Francis interacting with regular Cubans compared to the official Cuban media, which showed Francis interacting with elites most often.JOURNAL, Thomson, T. J., Perreault, Gregory, Duffy, Margaret, 17 January 2017, Politicians, Photographers, and a Pope, Journalism Studies, 19, 9, 1313–1330, 10.1080/1461670X.2016.1268929, 152110990, 1461-670X,eprints.qut.edu.au/119023/7/119023.pdf, In December 2013, both Time and The Advocate magazines named the Pontiff as their “Person of the Year” in praise and hopes of reforming the Roman Curia while hoping to change the Catholic Church’s doctrine on various controversial issues. In addition, Esquire magazine named him as the “Best-dressed man” for 2013 for his simpler vestments often in tune with a modern simplistic design on sartorial fashion.NEWS,www.smh.com.au/world/pope-francis-named-esquires-best-dressed-man-of-2013--but-why-20140101-hv7ab.html, Pope Francis named Esquire’s ‘Best Dressed Man of 2013’ – but why?, Michael, McGough, 1 January 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 June 2015, Rolling Stone magazine followed in January 2014 by making the Pontiff their featured front cover.NEWS,www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/pope-francis-gentle-revolution-inside-rolling-stones-new-issue-49840/, Rolling Stone, Pope Francis’ Gentle Revolution: Inside Rolling Stone’s New Issue, 28 January 2014, NEWS,poy.time.com/2013/12/11/person-of-the-year-pope-francis-the-peoples-pope, Time (magazine), Time, Person of the Year 2013, 11 December 2013, Fortune magazine also ranked Francis as number one in their list of 50 greatest leaders.NEWS,money.cnn.com/gallery/leadership/2014/03/20/worlds-best-leaders.fortune/, CNN, Geoff, Colvin, Fortune ranks the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, 20 March 2014, dead,money.cnn.com/gallery/leadership/2014/03/20/worlds-best-leaders.fortune," title="web.archive.org/web/20140331010527money.cnn.com/gallery/leadership/2014/03/20/worlds-best-leaders.fortune,">web.archive.org/web/20140331010527money.cnn.com/gallery/leadership/2014/03/20/worlds-best-leaders.fortune, 31 March 2014, On 5 November 2014, he was ranked by Forbes as the fourth most powerful person in the world and was the only non-political figure in the top ranking.NEWS,www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2014/11/05/2014-ranking-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-people/, 2014 Ranking of the World’s Most Powerful People, 11 May 2014, Forbes, 3 June 2015, In December 2016, Francis again made Forbes{{’}}s list of “The World’s Most Powerful People”, ranking fifth.NEWS, M. Ewalt, David, The World’s Most Powerful People 2016,www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2016/12/14/the-worlds-most-powerful-people-2016/, 3 March 2017, Forbes, In March 2013, a new song was dedicated to Francis and released in Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, and Italian, titled Come Puoi (“How You Can“). Also in March, Pablo Buera, the mayor of La Plata, Argentina, announced that the city had renamed a section of a street leading up to a local cathedral Papa Francisco.Ho, Erica, “Argentina: Town renames street after Pope Francis”, Time, 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013 There are already efforts to name other streets after him, as well as a school where he studied as a child. A proposal to create a commemorative coin as a tribute to Francis was made in Argentina’s lower house on 28 November 2013. On the coins it would read, “Tribute from the Argentine People to Pope Francis” beneath his face.NEWS,edition.cnn.com/2013/11/27/world/americas/argentina-pope-francis-coin/index.html, Argentina weighs putting Pope Francis’ face on a coin, CNN, Catherine E. Shoichet, 28 November 2013, 27 December 2013, As of May 2013, sales of papal souvenirs, a sign of popularity, were up.NEWS, Francis’ Humility and Emphasis on the Poor Strike a New Tone at the Vatican,www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/world/europe/pope-francis-changes-tone-at-the-vatican.html,www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/world/europe/pope-francis-changes-tone-at-the-vatican.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130526035144www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/world/europe/pope-francis-changes-tone-at-the-vatican.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130526035144www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/world/europe/pope-francis-changes-tone-at-the-vatican.html, 26 May 2013, subscription, live, 26 May 2013, The New York Times, 25 May 2013, Rachel, Donadio, It was so hard to sell anything under Benedict. This pope attracts huge crowds, and they all want to bring back home something with his smiling face on it., Francis presided over his first joint public wedding ceremony in a Nuptial Mass for 20 couples from the Archdiocese of Rome on 14 September 2014, just a few weeks before the start of the 5–19 October Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family.NEWS, 7 November 2015, BBC News, 14 September 2014, Pope marries 20 cohabiting couples in sign of papacy shiftwww.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29198491, {{efn>Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI did not do this during his eight-year reign from 2005 to 2013; his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, married a group of couples from all over the world in 2000, as part of the Jubilee for Families, and before that in 1994 during the church’s Year of the Family, as well as presiding over a number of private marriages as pope.GLATZ >FIRST=CAROL ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20180524004506/HTTP://WWW.CATHOLICNEWS.COM/SERVICES/ENGLISHNEWS/2014/POPE-FRANCIS-TO-PRESIDE-OVER-JOINT-SEPTEMBER-WEDDING-AT-VATICAN.CFM ARCHIVE-DATE=24 MAY 2018 DATE=29 AUGUST 2014 ACCESS-DATE=23 MAY 2018, }}On 19 March 2016, Francis became the first pope to create an Instagram account.NEWS,www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/pope-francis-instagram-franciscus.html,www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/pope-francis-instagram-franciscus.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20160319121740www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/pope-francis-instagram-franciscus.html,">web.archive.org/web/20160319121740www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/pope-francis-instagram-franciscus.html, 19 March 2016, subscription, live, Get Ready, Internet. The Pope Has Joined Instagram., Liam, Stack, 19 March 2016, 5 March 2021, The New York Times, He broke records after having gained over one million followers in under twelve hours of the account being up.WEB,money.cnn.com/2016/03/19/technology/instagram-pope-francis-account/, Pope Francis gains 1 million Instagram followers in under 12 hours, Ahiza Garcia, 19 March 2016, CNN Business, 20 May 2016, In 2019 Francis held a conference on the World Day of Social Communications highlighting the pros and cons of social media and urging users to use it as a source that liberates rather than enslaves.WEB, 24 January 2019, Pope highlights pros and cons of internet and social media use – Vatican News,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-01/pope-highlights-pros-and-cons-of-internet-and-social-media-use.html, 17 February 2021, www.vaticannews.va, en, On 26 November 2020 Francis became the first pope to write an op-ed for The New York Times, addressing issues such as the coronavirus and the need for global solidarity.NEWS, Pope Francis, 26 November 2020, Pope Francis: A Crisis Reveals What Is in Our Hearts, en-US, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2020/11/26/opinion/pope-francis-covid.html, 17 February 2021, 0362-4331, The Pontiff also used his op-ed to strongly critique those protesting COVID-19 restrictions.WEB, Choi, Joseph, 26 November 2020, Pope Francis swipes at groups protesting COVID-19 restrictions in NYT op-ed,thehill.com/homenews/news/527707-pope-francis-swipes-at-groups-protesting-covid-19-restrictions-in-nyt-op-ed, 17 February 2021, The Hill (newspaper), The Hill, en, In August 2021, rumours of a possible resignation arose due to health issues,NEWS, Gagliarducci, Andrea, Analysis: What’s behind rumors that Pope Francis will resign?,www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248814/will-pope-francis-resign, 2 September 2021, Catholic News Agency, 31 August 2021, but he dismissed those rumours in early September 2021, saying that he is “living a normal life”.NEWS, Pullella, Philip, Pope denies resignation report, says leads normal life after surgery,sports.yahoo.com/pope-denies-resignation-report-says-093137157.html, 2 September 2021, Yahoo!, Reuters, 2 September 2021, In June 2022, the Pope’s health was an issue again when he had to cancel his trips to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. The Vatican said that the decision was at the request of the doctors treating his knee, in order to not jeopardize the results of the therapy.NEWS, Pope Francis cancels trip to Congo and South Sudan over health issues,www.france24.com/en/africa/20220610-pope-francis-cancels-trip-to-congo-and-south-sudan-over-health-issues, 12 June 2022, France24, 11 June 2022, In an interview with Reuters in July 2022, Francis denied rumours about his resignation, saying “[it] never entered my mind. For the moment no, for the moment, no. Really!”, but said that he would resign if his health made it impossible for him to run the church.NEWS, Pullella, Philip, 4 July 2022, EXCLUSIVE Pope Francis denies he is planning to resign soon, Reuters,www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-pope-francis-denies-he-is-planning-resign-soon-2022-07-04/, live, 4 July 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220704083806/https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-pope-francis-denies-he-is-planning-resign-soon-2022-07-04/, 4 July 2022, During his trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in February 2023, Francis shifted away from rumours of an imminent resignation. In a conversation with African Jesuits, Francis said that for pontiffs to resign should not become a “fashion” and that his own resignation was “not in his agenda at the moment”.NEWS, Pullella, Philip, Popes are for life, resignations should not become a fashion, Francis says,www.reuters.com/world/europe/popes-are-life-resignations-should-not-become-fashion-francis-says-2023-02-16/, 16 February 2023, Reuters, 16 February 2023, Nearly one million people came for Pope Francis’s mass in Kinshasa in the DRC. He addressed people to be in peace and leave weapons. He told people to “put down your arms and embrace mercy”.WEB,edition.cnn.com/2023/02/01/africa/pope-francis-drc-kinshasa-mass-intl/index.html, Pope Francis attracts more than one million worshippers to DRC Mass, 1 February 2023, CNN, February 2023, (File:Holy Mass - Elevating the consecrated Host.jpg|thumb|Pope Francis celebrating Holy Mass in Kossuth tér, Budapest) In March 2023, Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome with a respiratory infection.NEWS, Ghiglione, Davide, Davies, Alys, Pope Francis in hospital with respiratory infection, BBC News, 29 March 2023,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65117270, 29 March 2023, The Pope returned to celebrate public mass at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday, for the first time since recovering from bronchitis.WEB, D’Emilio, Frances, 8 April 2023, Pope Francis returns to public eye for Easter vigil Mass,apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-easter-vigil-basilica-b521343b26ea2d74bb135a0b9aeaebf6, live,web.archive.org/web/20230408184929/https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-easter-vigil-basilica-b521343b26ea2d74bb135a0b9aeaebf6, 8 April 2023, 9 April 2023, Associated Press, AP News, While visiting Hungary for three days, on 30 April 2023, Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass in Kossuth square, Budapest, Hungary.WEB, Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Pope Francis to Hungary (28 - 30 April 2023),www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2023/outside/documents/ungheria-2023.html, live,web.archive.org/web/20230302085228/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2023/outside/documents/ungheria-2023.html, 2 March 2023, 1 May 2023, vatican.va, WEB, López Campos, Paloma, 30 April 2023, Pope bids farewell to Hungary with a call for hope,omnesmag.com/en/newsroom/hungria-pope-hope/, live,web.archive.org/web/20230510054355/https://omnesmag.com/en/newsroom/hungria-pope-hope/, 10 May 2023, 1 May 2023, Omnes, en-US, In June 2023, Pope Francis underwent abdominal surgery after suffering from a hernia. The Pope received the surgery at Gemelli Hospital, and spent several days in the hospital while recovering.NEWS, Sofia, Betiza, Nicholas, Yong, 7 June 2023, Pope Francis, 86, to have abdominal surgery,www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65821047, 7 June 2023, BBC News, en-GB,

Distinctions

Titles and styles

The official form of address of the pope in English is His Holiness Pope Francis; in Latin, Franciscus, Episcopus Romae. Holy Father is among the other honorifics used for popes.BOOK,worldcat.org/oclc/894991536, Annuario pontificio, Libr. Ed. Vaticana, 894991536,

Foreign orders

• {{flagu|Bolivia}}: (File:BOL Order of Condor of the Andes - Grand Cross BAR.png|85px): Grand Collar of the Order of the Condor of the Andes (9 July 2015)NEWS,www.presidencia.gob.bo/fuente/noticia.php?cod=3363contenido, Presidente Evo Morales distingue con el Cóndor de Los Andes al Papa Francisco, 9 July 2015,www.presidencia.gob.bo/fuente/noticia.php?cod=3363contenido," title="web.archive.org/web/20150709162549www.presidencia.gob.bo/fuente/noticia.php?cod=3363contenido,">web.archive.org/web/20150709162549www.presidencia.gob.bo/fuente/noticia.php?cod=3363contenido, 9 July 2015, dead, WEB,d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2015/07/crucifix_this.jpg, JPG, Photographic image, D2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net, 22 March 2017,d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2015/07/crucifix_this.jpg," title="web.archive.org/web/20161008051929d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2015/07/crucifix_this.jpg,">web.archive.org/web/20161008051929d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2015/07/crucifix_this.jpg, 8 October 2016, dead,
• {{flagu|Bolivia}}: Order of Merit “Father Luis Espinal Camps” (9 July 2015)
• {{flagu|Poland}}: (File:POL Order UÅ›miechu BAR.svg|85px): Order of the Smile (26 April 2016)WEB,www.pope2016.com/en/faith/catholic-church/francis/news,466184,pope-francis-receives-order-of-the-smile.html,www.pope2016.com/en/faith/catholic-church/francis/news,466184,pope-francis-receives-order-of-the-smile.html," title="archive.today/20160910222831www.pope2016.com/en/faith/catholic-church/francis/news,466184,pope-francis-receives-order-of-the-smile.html,">archive.today/20160910222831www.pope2016.com/en/faith/catholic-church/francis/news,466184,pope-francis-receives-order-of-the-smile.html, dead, 10 September 2016, Pope Francis receives Order of the Smile – Francis – Catholic Church – Faith – Pope in Poland 2016 – press center, pope2016.com, 29 October 2016,

Awards

• {{flagu|Germany}}: International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen 2016.NEWS, Pope Francis to be awarded Charlemagne Prize on 6 May,www.europarl.europa.eu/news/es/press-room/20160502IPR25453/pope-francis-to-be-awarded-charlemagne-prize-on-6-may, European Parliament, 2 May 2016, www.europarl.europa.eu,
• “Person of the Year” by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (2015) for his request that all Catholics be kind to animals.MAGAZINE, White, Daniel, Pope Francis Is PETA’s Person of the Year,time.com/4130961/peta-pope-francis/, Time (magazine), Time, 1 December 2015,
• Was made an honorary Harlem Globetrotter on 7 May 2015.NEWS,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pope-francis-has-joined-the-harlem-globetrotters-10233040.html, Pope Francis got a new gig this week...as a basketball player, 7 May 2015, The Independent, 5 May 2019,
• Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in October 2020 for significant contributions to the service of humanity from around the world.NEWS, Pope meets with Zayed Award judging panel,www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-10/zayed-award-higher-committee-human-fraternity-award-2021-panel.html, Vatican News, 23 October 2020, NEWS, Nominations open for 2021 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity,www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-10/nominations-zayed-award-human-fraternity-document.html, Vatican News, 20 October 2020,
• {{flagu|Brazil}}: Francis was awarded the Medalha Mérito Legislativo by the Congress of Brazil in November 2021.NEWS, Câmara condecora 32 personalidades com o Mérito Legislativo, entre elas Bolsonaro e papa Francisco Fonte: Agência Câmara de Notícias,www.camara.leg.br/noticias/830707-camara-condecora-32-personalidades-com-o-merito-legislativo-entre-elas-bolsonaro-e-papa-francisco/, Congress of Brazil, 24 November 2021, pt,
• Grand Chief Willie Littlechild gifted Pope Francis with the Indigenous Name Wapikihew (White Eagle) on behalf of the Ermineskin Cree Nation and presented him with a tradition Cree War bonnet following the Pope’s apology to the Indigenous peoples in Canada at Maskwacis, Alberta on 25 July 2022.WEB, Chief Wilton Littlechild greets Pope Francis in Maskwacis, Alberta,slmedia.org/blog/chief-wilton-littlechild-greets-pope-francis-in-maskwacis-alberta, 2 August 2022, slmedia.org, WEB, David Staples: What to make of outcry over Indigenous leader bestowing headdress on Pope Francis?,edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/david-staples-what-to-make-of-outcry-over-indigenous-leader-bestowing-headdress-on-pope-francis, 2 August 2022, edmontonjournal, en-CA,

Honorific eponyms and dedications

File:Pope Francis Malacanang 45.jpg|thumb|Francis and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in Manila, 16 January 2015 ]]

• {{flagu|Philippines}}: The Pope Francis Center for the Poor – Palo, Leyte (12 July 2015)WEB,www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=59702,www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=59702," title="web.archive.org/web/20150713221857www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=59702,">web.archive.org/web/20150713221857www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=59702, usurped, 13 July 2015, Palo’s Pope Francis Center now houses abandoned elderly, orphans, Catholic’s Bishop Conference of the Philippines,
• Ennio Morricone composed a Mass setting (Missa Papae Francisci) named after the pope, for the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Jesuit order. The performance aired on Rai 5 and was attended by former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and other dignitaries.“Oscar-winning composer pens Mass for the Pope {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604092628www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=12223 |date=4 June 2016 }}”. EWTN. Published: 12 June 2015.“Oscar award winner, Ennio Morricone composes ‘Mass’ for Pope”. Rome Reports. Published: 12 June 2015.Missa Papae Francisci (Morricone). RAI 5. (Napolitano appears at 32:41 and greets Morricone at 33:07) {{in lang|it}}
• The composer Ludger Stühlmeyer dedicated his work Klangrede – Sonnengesang des Franziskus, for choir (SATB) and instruments – to Pope Francis (Suae Sanctitati Papae Francisci dedicat.). First performance: Capella Mariana 4 October 2015.In: Offenbarungen – Tage Neuer Kirchenmusik. Begleitheft, München 2015, S. 15.

Appreciation

In the oratorio Laudato si’ by Peter Reulein (music) written on a libretto by Helmut Schlegel OFM, the figure of Francis appears next to Mary, Francis of Assisi, and Clare of Assisi. In the oratorio, Pope Franziskus suggests a bridge from the crucifixion scene on Golgotha to the suffering of the present. He emphasizes the female talent and the importance of the charism of women for church and society. The texts of the encyclicals Laudato si’ and Evangelii gaudium were used. The motto of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy also plays a central role.BOOK, Reulein, Peter, Peter Reulein, Schlegel, Helmut, Helmut Schlegel, Laudato si’ / Ein franziskanisches Magnificat, Patrick Dehm, Dehm Verlag, Limburg an der Lahn, 2016, 978-3-943302-34-9, 230, 979-0-50226-047-7, The oratorio was premiered on 6 November 2016 in the Limburg Cathedral.WEB,www.liebfrauen.net/meldung_volltext.php?si=5807238ed0bee&id=57f955bfc9ddd&view=&lang=&akt=musikkunstkultur_musikmeldungen&k1=main&k2=musikkunstkultur&k3=musikmeldungen&k4=, Festkonzert zum Jubiläum des Referates Kirchenmusik / Laudato si’ – Oratorium von Peter Reulein (Uraufführung), Liebfrauen, Frankfurt, 2016, de, 25 December 2016, 19 October 2016,www.liebfrauen.net/meldung_volltext.php?si=5807238ed0bee&id=57f955bfc9ddd&view=&lang=&akt=musikkunstkultur_musikmeldungen&k1=main&k2=musikkunstkultur&k3=musikmeldungen&k4=," title="web.archive.org/web/20161019155601www.liebfrauen.net/meldung_volltext.php?si=5807238ed0bee&id=57f955bfc9ddd&view=&lang=&akt=musikkunstkultur_musikmeldungen&k1=main&k2=musikkunstkultur&k3=musikmeldungen&k4=,">web.archive.org/web/20161019155601www.liebfrauen.net/meldung_volltext.php?si=5807238ed0bee&id=57f955bfc9ddd&view=&lang=&akt=musikkunstkultur_musikmeldungen&k1=main&k2=musikkunstkultur&k3=musikmeldungen&k4=, dead,

Coat of arms

{{Further|Papal coats of arms}}

factoids

in which the depiction of the Star and Spikenard were tincture (heraldry)>tinctured Argent.Following his election as Pontiff these are now tinctured Or. The first version of His Holiness’s arms released by the Vatican Press Office depicted a five-pointed Star from Bergoglio’s archiepiscopal version, but upon election as Pope his coat of arms assumed an eight-pointed star with the representation of the spikenard also being suitably differenced.| adopted = 18 March 2013| crest = Not applicable to prelates| torse =35px) Bishop’s mitreHoly Name of Jesus>IHS Christogram ensigned with a Cross pattée fiché piercing the Holy Name of Jesus>H Gules all above three Nails fanwise points to centre Sable, and in dexter base a Mullet of eight points and in sinister base a Lavandula Or’’WEDVICK OF JARLSBY â€“ RELIGIOUS/FRANCIS, H. H. POPE 3 URL-STATUS=DEAD ARCHIVE-DATE=6 DECEMBER 2013, | supporters =| compartment =| motto = MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO (Latin for ”BY GIVING MERCY AND BY CHOOSING“)| orders =Keys of Peter behind His Holiness>HH’s Escutcheon (heraldry) and mantling>Papal mantling| banner = Flag of Vatican City| badge =Jesuit emblem: In reference to Francis being a Jesuit, the uppermost charge on the shield is the emblem of the Society of Jesus.HTTPS://WWW.VATICAN.VA/HOLY_FATHER/FRANCESCO/ELEZIONE/STEMMA-PAPA-FRANCESCO_IT.HTML PUBLISHER=L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO ACCESS-DATE=18 MARCH 2013 Charge (heraldry)>charge displays a radiating sun within which is the monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus in red, with a red cross surmounting the Christogram and three black nails below the H. Eight-pointed star: a long-standing symbol of the Virgin Mary. Spikenard alias nard: this flower represents Saint Joseph; in Hispanic iconographic tradition St Joseph is often depicted holding a branch of spikenard.HTTP://WWW.NEWS.VA/EN/NEWS/POPE-FRANCIS-MISERANDO-ATQUE-ELIGENDO PUBLISHER=VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE ACCESS-DATE=18 MARCH 2013 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20171018143713/HTTP://WWW.NEWS.VA/EN/NEWS/POPE-FRANCIS-MISERANDO-ATQUE-ELIGENDO, dead, | previous_versions =}}

Writings

{{Library resources box|by=yes|viaf=68559410}}Pope Francis has written a variety of books, encyclicals, and other writings.

Music album

Wake Up! was released on 27 November 2015 by the label Believe Digital and contains speeches by Francis and accompanying music, including rock music.WEB, Pope Francis: “Wake Up!”,www.allmusic.com/album/release/wake-up%21-mr0004476247, AllMusic, 2 March 2016, NEWS, Pope Francis has released a rock album, BBC News, 20 November 2015,www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34863904/pope-francis-has-released-a-rock-album, 2 March 2016, WEB,popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com/, Pope Francis Wake Up! Music Album with His Words and Prayers, Popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com, 21 March 2017, 31 January 2020,popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com/," title="web.archive.org/web/20200131013503popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com/,">web.archive.org/web/20200131013503popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com/, dead,

Films

Documentary film

By 2015, there were two biographical films about Francis: Call Me Francesco (Italy, 2015), starring Rodrigo de la Serna, and (Francis: Pray for me) (Argentina, 2015), starring Darío Grandinetti.NEWS, Vivarelli, Nick, 13 January 2015, Battle of the Pope Francis Biopics Begins With Two Films Shooting in Buenos Aires, Variety (magazine), Variety,variety.com/2015/film/global/battle-of-the-pope-francis-biopics-begins-with-two-films-shooting-in-buenos-aires-1201403994/, 15 May 2015, (Pope Francis: A Man of His Word) is a documentary film with Swiss-Italian-French-German co-production, co-written and directed by Wim Wenders.NEWS,www.indiewire.com/2018/05/pope-francis-a-man-of-his-word-cannes-wim-wenders-documentary-pontiff-1201966111/, ‘Pope Francis: A Man of His Word’: Wim Wenders Grilled the Pontiff and Left Amazed, Anne, Thompson, 18 May 2018, 9 February 2020, Indie Wire, Penske Business Media, LLC., It premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and was released in the United States on 18 May 2018.NEWS,variety.com/2018/film/reviews/cannes-film-review-pope-francis-a-man-of-his-word-1202809055/, Film Review: ‘Pope Francis: A Man of His Word’, Andrew, Barker, 13 May 2018, 9 February 2020, Variety.com, Penske Business Media, LLC., It includes extensive sections of interviews as well as stock footage from archives.NEWS,www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-spiritual-nearness-of-wim-wenderss-pope-francis-a-man-of-his-word, The Spiritual Nearness of Wim Wenders’s “Pope Francis: Man of His Word”, Paul, Elie, 21 May 2018, 9 February 2020, New Yorker (magazine), New Yorker, On 21 October 2020, the documentary Francesco directed by film producer Evgeny Afineevsky premiered.WEB, 21 October 2020, “Francesco”: new documentary on the life and teaching of Pope Francis,www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/new-film-documentary-francesco-pope-francis-rome-film-fesival.html, 23 October 2020, Vatican News, en, WEB, Winfield, Nicole, 21 October 2020, Francis becomes 1st pope to endorse same-sex civil unions,apnews.com/article/pope-endorse-same-sex-civil-unions-eb3509b30ebac35e91aa7cbda2013de2, 22 October 2020, Associated Press, AP News, On 4 October 2022, the documentary (The Letter: A Message for our Earth) premiered on YouTube Originals, directed by Nicolas Brown and produced by Off The Fence in partnership with Laudato Si’ Movement.WEB,variety.com/2022/digital/global/youtube-doc-the-letter-a-message-for-our-earth-featuring-pope-francis-1235392482/, Pope Francis YouTube Doc ‘The Letter: A Message For Our Earth’ Launches From Vatican City – Trailer, Variety, Vivarelli, Nick, 4 October 2022, 5 December 2022,

Portrayal in film

Francis is played by Jonathan Pryce in the biographical drama film The Two Popes (2019), costarring with Anthony Hopkins who plays Pope Benedict XVI.NEWS,catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/you-couldnt-help-but-be-moved-spiritually-anthony-hopkins-and-jonathan-pryce-interviewed/, ‘You couldn’t help but be moved spiritually’: Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce interviewed, Gabrielle, Donnlly, 19 December 2019, 9 February 2020, Catholic Herald,

See also

• List of current Christian leaders
• List of current heads of state and government
• List of people beatified by Pope Francis
• List of popes

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

NBCLatino, 14 March 2013NEWS, Garrido, J., Vida y trayectoria de Bergoglio en seis capítulos,diario.latercera.com/2013/03/16/01/contenido/reportajes/25-132222-9-vida-y-trayectoria-de-bergoglio-en-seis-capitulos.shtml, 24 March 2013, La Tercera, 16 March 2013, 20 March 2013,diario.latercera.com/2013/03/16/01/contenido/reportajes/25-132222-9-vida-y-trayectoria-de-bergoglio-en-seis-capitulos.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20130320040835diario.latercera.com/2013/03/16/01/contenido/reportajes/25-132222-9-vida-y-trayectoria-de-bergoglio-en-seis-capitulos.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20130320040835diario.latercera.com/2013/03/16/01/contenido/reportajes/25-132222-9-vida-y-trayectoria-de-bergoglio-en-seis-capitulos.shtml, dead, WEB,www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio_en.html, Vatican Web site, from L’Osservatore Romano, Year LXIII, number 12: biography of the Holy Father Francis, Holy See, 18 July 2013, NEWS,www.lanacion.com.ar/1564076-el-extasis-familiar-por-el-loco-de-la-guerra, Regina María Sívori, su mamá, La Nación, 17 March 2013, 19 March 2013, NEWS, Rice-Oxley, Mark, Pope Francis: the humble pontiff with practical approach to poverty,www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/13/jorge-mario-bergoglio-pope-poverty, 13 March 2013, The Guardian, 13 March 2013, London, NEWS, Donovan, Jeffrey,www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-13/argentina-s-cardinal-jorge-bergoglio-is-elected-pope-francis-i.html, Argentina’s Cardinal Bergoglio Is Elected Pope Francis, Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 13 March 2013, 13 March 2013, subscription, NEWS,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9928921/Pope-Francis-elected-leader-of-Catholic-Church-live.html,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9928921/Pope-Francis-elected-leader-of-Catholic-Church-live.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130314193835www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9928921/Pope-Francis-elected-leader-of-Catholic-Church-live.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130314193835www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9928921/Pope-Francis-elected-leader-of-Catholic-Church-live.html, deadtitle=Pope Francis elected leader of Catholic Church: latestlast=HendersonThe Daily Telegraph>The Telegraphaccess-date=14 March 2013, London, Pope Francis: Now is the time for mercy :: Catholic News Agency (CNA). (11 April 2015). Retrieved 8 May 2015.NEWS,www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-pope-family-members-killed-20140819-story.html, 3 relatives of pope killed in crash in Argentina, 19 August 2014, Chicago Tribune, 4 October 2014, WEB,www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403476.htm,www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403476.htm," title="archive.today/20140819160527www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403476.htm,">archive.today/20140819160527www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403476.htm, dead, 19 August 2014, CNS STORY: Pope asks prayers after great nephews, their mother die in car crash, 4 October 2014, NEWS, Bergoglio, sobre todo ‘pastor’, tanguero y simpatizante de San Lorenzo, es,www.aica.org/5517-bergoglio-sobre-todo-pastor-tanguero-simpatizante-de-san-lorenzo.html, 19 March 2013, Agencia Informativa Católica Argentina, 13 March 2013, JOURNAL,www.lanacion.com.ar/1562738-bergoglio-un-sacerdote-jesuita-de-carrera, La Nación, Jorge Bergoglio, un sacerdote jesuita de carrera, Jorge Bergoglio, a career Jesuit priest, 13 March 2013, es, 14 March 2013, 16 December 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181216141857/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1562738-bergoglio-un-sacerdote-jesuita-de-carrera, dead, NEWS, Su etapa de laboratorista,contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html#/8/, 17 March 2013, Clarín, 17 March 2013, NEWS, Lifschitz, Alejandro, Argentina’s pope a modest man focused on the poor,www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-succession-bergoglio-idUSBRE92C15X20130313, 14 March 2013, Reuters, 13 March 2013, NEWS, Gallagher, Delia, Burke, Daniel, Conservatives accuse the Pope of spreading heresy,www.cnn.com/2017/09/25/world/pope-heresy/index.html, 2 December 2017, CNN, 26 September 2017, }}

Further reading

• BOOK, Allen, John L., The Francis Miracle: Inside the Transformation of the Pope and the Church, 2015, Time (magazine), Time, New York, 978-1-61893-131-3,
• BOOK, Borghesi, Massimo, Hudock, Barry, 2018, Italian original, 2017, The Mind of Pope Francis: Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s Intellectual Journey, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 978-0-8146-8790-1,
• BOOK, Il Dissenso Soffocato: un’agenda per Papa Francesco, Dissent Stifled: an agenda for Pope Francis, Castagnaro, Mauro, Eugenio, Ludovica, La Meridiana, 2013, 978-8861533240, Molfetta, Mauro Castagnaro,
• BOOK, The Dictator Pope: The Inside Story of the Francis Papacy, Colonna, Marcantonio, Regnery Publishing, 2018, 978-1-62157-832-1, Washington, DC, Henry Sire, The Dictator Pope,
• BOOK, To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism, Douthat, Ross, Simon & Schuster, 2018, 978-1-5011-4692-3, New York, Ross Douthat,
• BOOK, Ivereigh, Austen, The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope, 2014, Henry Holt, New York, 978-1-62779-157-1,
• BOOK, Lost Shepherd: How Pope Francis is Misleading His Flock, Lawler, Philip F., Regnery Gateway, 2018, 978-1-62157-722-5, Washington DC,
• BOOK, Reato, Ceferino, 2015, Doce noches, Twelve nights, es, Argentina, Sudamericana, 978-950-07-5203-9,
• BOOK, Rosales, Luis, Olivera, Daniel, 2013, Francis: A pope for our time,books.google.com/books?id=7fX-AAAAQBAJ, United States, Umanix Books, 978-1-63006-002-2, 6 May 2014,
• BOOK, Rubin, Sergio, Ambrogetti, Francesca, El Jesuita, The jesuit, 2010, 1, es, Vergara Editor, Argentina, 978-950-15-2450-5, El Jesuita,
• BOOK, Vallely, Paul, Pope Francis: Untying the Knots: The Struggle for the Soul of Catholicism., 2015, Revised and expanded, Bloomsbury, London, 978-1-4729-0370-9,
• BOOK, Willey, David, The Promise of Francis: The Man, the Pope, and the Challenge of Change, 2015, Simon & Schuster, New York, 978-1-4767-8905-7,
• WEB, Liedl, Jonathan, Francis’ Pontificate Turns 10: Outward-Facing Emphasis Has Shaken Up Church’s Inner Equilibrium,www.ncregister.com/news/francis-pontificate-turns-10-uil8q6nh, 7 March 2023, National Catholic Register, 6 March 2023, en,

External links

{{external media| float =| topic =| image1 = White smoke after election| image2 =| image3 =}}

• Vatican: the Holy See â€“ Vatican web site
  • Vatican Web site: Official biography of Jorge Mario Bergoglio {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018141414www.news.va/en/news/biography-who-is-jorge-mario-bergoglio |date=18 October 2017 }} (published on the occasion of the Conclave by the Holy See Press Office, with the information provided by the cardinals themselves)
• {{Twitter}} (Official Twitter account)
• {{Instagram|franciscus}} (Official Instagram account)
• {{YouTube|u=vatican|{{PAGENAMEBASE}}}} (Official Vatican YouTube page, covering the pope and related interests)
• {{Curlie|Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Denominations/Catholicism/Popes/F/Francis/}}
• {{C-SPAN|69980}}

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