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{{Short description|Head of the Catholic Church since 2013}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Copyedit|date=December 2024}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox Christian leader {{Infobox Christian leader
| type = cardinal | type = Pope
| honorific-prefix = | honorific-prefix = ]
| name = Jorge Mario Bergoglio | name = Francis
| honorific-suffix = ] | title = ]
| image = Portrait of Pope Francis (2021) FXD.jpg
| title = ]
| alt =
| image = Card. Jorge Bergoglio SJ, 2008.jpg
| caption = Pope Francis in 2021
| image_size =
| church = ]
| alt =
| term_start = 13 March 2013
| caption =
| term_end = <!--Update the ] redirect and the {{Incumbent pope}} and {{Incumbent pope 2}} templates if changing this-->
| church =
| predecessor = ]
| archdiocese =
| successor = <!--Update the ] redirect and the {{Incumbent pope}} and {{Incumbent pope 2}} templates if changing this-->
| province =
| ordination = 13 December 1969
| metropolis =
| ordained_by = ]
| diocese =
| consecration = 27 June 1992
| see = Buenos Aires
| consecrated_by = ]
| elected =
| cardinal = 21 February 2001
| appointed = 3 June 1997 (Coadjutor)
| created_cardinal_by = ]
| term =
| birth_name = Jorge Mario Bergoglio
| term_start = 28 February 1998
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1936|12|17|df=y}}
| quashed =
| birth_place = ], Argentina
| term_end =
| nationality = Argentine (with Vatican citizenship)
| predecessor = ]
| religion = Catholic
| opposed =
| residence = ]
| successor =
| previous_post = {{indented plainlist|
| other_post = {{unbulleted list|]|]}}
* ] of the ] in Argentina (1973–1979)
<!---------- Orders ---------->
* ] (1992–1997)
| ordination = 13 December 1969
* ] (1992–1997)
| ordinated_by = ]
* ] (1998–2013)
| consecration = 27 June 1992
* Cardinal Priest of ] (2001–2013)
| consecrated_by = ]
* ] (1998–2013)
| cardinal = 21 February 2001
* President of the ] (2005–2011)
| rank = Cardinal-Priest
<!---------- Personal details ---------->
| birth_name = Jorge Mario Bergoglio
| birth_date = {{birthdateandage|1936|12|17|df=yes}}
| birth_place = ], ]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| buried =
| nationality = Argentinian
| religion = ]
| residence =
| parents =
| spouse =
| children =
| occupation =
| profession =
| previous_post = {{unbulleted list|Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (1992 - 1997)|Titular Bishop of Auca (1992 - 1997)|}}
| alma_mater =
| motto =
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| coat_of_arms = Brasão Card. Bergoglio.jpg
| coat_of_arms_alt =
<!---------- Sainthood ---------->
| feast_day =
| venerated =
| saint_title =
| beatified_date =
| beatified_place =
| beatified_by =
| canonized_date =
| canonized_place =
| canonized_by =
| attributes =
| patronage =
| shrine =
| suppressed_date =
<!---------- Other ---------->
| other =
}} }}
| signature = FirmaPapaFrancisco.svg
| coat_of_arms = File:Coat of arms of Franciscus.svg
| motto = {{lang|la|Miserando atque eligendo}}{{efn|Press reports have provided a variety of translations for the phrase. According to ]: "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 ] on ] relating to his vocation: 'Jesus saw the tax collector and by having mercy chose him as an apostle saying to him: Follow me.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite web|url=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 |archive-date= 5 July 2013 |title=Pope Francis: "Miserando atque eligendo"... |first=Veronica |last=Scarisbrick |date=18 March 2013 |publisher=] |access-date=19 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
| module = {{Ordination
| denomination = Catholic
| embed = yes
|ordained deacon by =
|date of diaconal ordination =
|place of diaconal ordination =
|ordained priest by = ]
|date of priestly ordination = 13 December 1969
|place of priestly ordination =
|consecrated by = ]
|co-consecrators = ] and ]
|date of consecration = 27 June 1992
|place of consecration =
|elevated by = ]
|date of elevation = 21 February 2001
|sources =
|bishop 1 = ]
|consecration date 1 = 1 May 1999
|bishop 2 = ]
|consecration date 2 = 30 July 1999
|bishop 3 = ]
|consecration date 3 = 25 March 2000
|bishop 4 = ]
|consecration date 4 = 21 October 2000
|bishop 5 = ]
|consecration date 5 = 28 April 2001
|bishop 6 = ]
|consecration date 6 = 18 September 2001
|bishop 7 = ]
|consecration date 7 = 16 December 2001
|bishop 8 = ]
|consecration date 8 = 20 April 2002
|bishop 9 = ]
|consecration date 9 = 16 August 2003
|bishop 10 = ]
|consecration date 10 = 8 May 2004
|bishop 11 = ]
|consecration date 11 = 25 September 2004
|bishop 12 = ]
|consecration date 12 = 20 May 2006
|bishop 13 = ]
|consecration date 13 = 21 August 2006
|bishop 14 = ]
|consecration date 14 = 2 September 2006
|bishop 15 = ]
|consecration date 15 = 4 July 2008
|bishop 16 = ]
|consecration date 16 = 11 October 2008
|bishop 17 = ]
|consecration date 17 = 13 December 2008
|bishop 18 = ]
|consecration date 18 = 27 March 2009
|bishop 19 = ]
|consecration date 19 = 29 May 2010
|bishop 20 = ]
|consecration date 20 = 18 August 2011
|bishop 21 = ]
|consecration date 21 = 24 October 2013
|bishop 22 = ]
|consecration date 22 = 24 October 2013
|bishop 23 = ]
|consecration date 23 = 15 November 2013
|bishop 24 = ]
|consecration date 24 = 30 May 2014
|bishop 25 = ]
|consecration date 25 = 9 November 2015
|bishop 26 = ]
|consecration date 26 = 19 March 2016
|bishop 27 = ]
|consecration date 27 = 19 March 2016
|bishop 28 = ]
|consecration date 28 = 19 March 2018
|bishop 29 = ]
|consecration date 29 = 19 March 2018
|bishop 30 = ]
|consecration date 30 = 19 March 2018
|bishop 31 = ]
|consecration date 31 = 22 June 2019
|bishop 32 = ]
|consecration date 32 = 4 October 2019
|bishop 33 = ]
|consecration date 33 = 4 October 2019
|bishop 34 = ]
|consecration date 34 = 4 October 2019
|bishop 35 = ]
|consecration date 35 = 4 October 2019
|bishop 36 =
]
|consecration date 36 = 17 October 2021
|bishop 37 = ]
|consecration date 37 = 17 October 2021
}}
| education = {{indented plainlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}
}}
{{Catholic Church sidebar}}


'''Pope Francis''' ({{langx|la|Franciscus}}; {{langx|it|Francesco}}; {{langx|es|link=|Francisco}}; born '''Jorge Mario Bergoglio''';{{efn|Pronounced {{IPA|es|ˈxoɾxe ˈmaɾjo βeɾˈɣoɣljo|}} in Spanish, and {{IPA|it|berˈɡɔʎʎo|}} in Italian}} 17 December 1936) is the head of the ] and ] of the ]. He is the first ] to be a member of the ] (the Jesuit Order), the first from the ] and the ], and the first born or raised outside Europe since the ] of the ] pope ].
'''Jorge Mario Bergoglio''', ] (born December 17, 1936) is an ] ] of the ]. He is the current ], serving since 1998. He was elevated to the ] in 2001.


Born in ], Bergoglio worked for a time as a ] and a ] before training to be a ] and working as a technician in a ] laboratory. After recovering from a severe case of ] and ]s, he was inspired to join the Jesuits in 1958. He was ] a ] in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979 was the Jesuit ] in Argentina. He became the ] in 1998 and was created a ] in 2001 by ]. He led the Argentine Church during the ]. The administrations of ] and ] considered him to be a political rival.
==Early life==


Following the ] on 28 February 2013, ] elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March. He chose Francis as his ] in honour of ]. 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 ]. He is known for having a less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, for instance choosing to reside in the ] guesthouse rather than in the ] of the ] used by previous popes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope Francis to live in Vatican guesthouse, not papal apartments {{!}} National Catholic Reporter |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments,%20https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=www.ncronline.org |language=en}}</ref>
Jorge Bergoglio was born in ], as one of the five children of an Italian railway worker and his wife. After studying at the ] in ], he entered the ] on March 11, 1958. Bergoglio obtained a ] in ] from the Colegio Máximo San José in ], and then taught ] and ] at the Colegio de la Inmaculada in ], and the ] in Buenos Aires. He was ] to the ] on December 13, 1969 by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. He was attending the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel, a seminary in San Miguel. Eventually, Bergoglio attained the position of novice master there and became professor of ].


Francis has made women full members of ] in the ].<ref name="Dallas-2023">{{Cite web |last=Dallas |first=Kelsey |date=3 October 2023 |title=The pope's latest comments on same-sex marriage, explained |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2023/10/3/23901388/pope-comments-on-same-sex-marriage |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=Deseret News |language=en |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007060808/https://www.deseret.com/faith/2023/10/3/23901388/pope-comments-on-same-sex-marriage |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Faiola-2023">{{Cite news |last1=Faiola |first1=Andy |last2=Boorstein |first2=Michelle |last3=Brady |first3=Kate |date=2 October 2023 |title=Amid liberal revolt, pope signals openness to blessings for gay couples |language=en |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/02/pope-francis-gay-blessings-synod/ |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004142753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/02/pope-francis-gay-blessings-synod/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He maintains that the Catholic Church should be more sympathetic toward members of the ] and has stated that while ] are not permitted, the ], as long as the blessings are not given in a ] context.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=January 26, 2024 |title=Pope says LGBT blessings are for individuals, not approval of unions |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-lgbt-blessings-are-individuals-not-approval-unions-2024-01-26/ |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref> Francis is a critic of unbridled ], ] and ];<ref>{{cite web |last=Davies |first=Lizzy |date=15 December 2013 |title=Pope says he is not a Marxist, but defends criticism of capitalism |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/15/pope-francis-defends-criticism-of-capitalism-not-marxist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215222912/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/15/pope-francis-defends-criticism-of-capitalism-not-marxist |archive-date=15 December 2013 |work=] |place=]}}</ref> he has made action on ] a leading focus of his papacy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sherwood|first=Harriet|date=7 September 2021|title=Christian leaders unite to issue stark warning over climate crisis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/christian-leaders-unite-to-issue-stark-warning-over-climate-crisis|access-date=7 September 2021|website=]|language=en|archive-date=7 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907121928/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/christian-leaders-unite-to-issue-stark-warning-over-climate-crisis|url-status=live}}</ref> He is widely interpreted as denouncing the ] as intrinsically evil<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trabbic |first=Joseph G. |date=16 August 2018 |title=Capital punishment: Intrinsically evil or morally permissible? |url=https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/08/16/capital-punishment-intrinsically-evil-or-morally-permissible/ |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=] |language=en-US |archive-date=23 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223000529/https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/08/16/capital-punishment-intrinsically-evil-or-morally-permissible/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and has termed it "an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person" and "inadmissible", and states that the Catholic Church is ]:<ref>{{Cite web |title=New revision of number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty – Rescriptum "ex Audentia SS.mi" |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/08/02/180802a.html |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=press.vatican.va |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004013124/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/08/02/180802a.html |url-status=live }}</ref> there can be "no going back from this position", he observed.<ref name="Pullella-2023" />
Impressed with his leadership skills, the Society of Jesus promoted Bergoglio and he served as provincial for Argentina from 1973 to 1979. He was later transferred in 1980 to become the ] of his seminary ]. He served in that capacity until 1986. He flew to Germany to complete his doctoral dissertation and returned to his homeland to serve as confessor and spiritual director in ].


In international diplomacy, Francis has criticized the rise of ], called for the ] (though still considering same-sex acts as sinful),<ref name="Staff-2023">{{Cite web |date=25 January 2023 |title=The AP Interview: Pope Francis: Homosexuality not a crime |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125071151/https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212 |url-status=live }}</ref> helped to restore ], negotiated a ] to define how much influence the ] has in appointing ], and has ] during the ] and ] crises. He has called on the Western world to increase immigration levels significantly.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rocca |first=Francis X. |date=22 September 2023 |title=Pope Francis Calls Protection of Migrants a Duty of Civilization |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/pope-faces-down-growing-backlash-against-migrants-in-europe-390ad042 |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=WSJ |language=en-US |archive-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930183750/https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/pope-faces-down-growing-backlash-against-migrants-in-europe-390ad042 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Lauter-2016">{{cite news |last1=Lauter |first1=David |last2=Bierman |first2=Noah |date=18 February 2016 |title=Trump and Pope Francis clash over immigration, another extraordinary campaign twist |newspaper=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pope-on-trump-wall-20160218-story.html |access-date=20 April 2018 |archive-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620153341/http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pope-on-trump-wall-20160218-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, ] for ]'s role in the "]" of the ].<ref name="Horowitz-2022">{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=30 July 2022 |title=Francis Calls Abuse of Indigenous People in Canada a 'Genocide' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/world/americas/pope-francis-canada-genocide.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107101356/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/world/americas/pope-francis-canada-genocide.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 4 October 2023, Francis convened the beginnings of the ], described as the culmination of his papacy and the most important event in the Catholic Church since the ].<ref name="Faiola-2023" /><ref name="Horowitz-2023">{{Cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Jason |last2=Povoledo |first2=Elisabetta |date=2 October 2023 |title=What Is a Synod in the Catholic Church? And Why Does This One Matter? |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/what-is-a-synod-pope-church.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=13 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113215348/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/what-is-a-synod-pope-church.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Horowitz-2023a">{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=2 October 2023 |title=Vatican Assembly Puts the Church's Most Sensitive Issues on the Table |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/pope-francis-synod.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007051525/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/pope-francis-synod.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2024, it was revealed that Pope Francis would be the first pope to publish a memoir, ''Hope'', which is set to appear in January 2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/hope-pope-francis-announces-new-autobiography-8728984|title=Pope Francis Makes History with New Autobiography Hope, Originally Meant to Be Published After His Death|first=Bailey|last=Richards|publisher=People|date=October 26, 2024}}</ref>
==Episcopacy==
Generally a rarity for a Jesuit in non-missionary countries, Bergoglio became ] of ] and was appointed to the ] of historical ]. He was consecrated to the episcopacy on June 27, 1992. When it was becoming clear that ] would soon end his term in office, Bergoglio was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires on February 28, 1998. He effectively took over the duties of the ailing Cardinal Quarracino.
{{Infobox cardinal styles|
cardinal name=Jorge Mario Bergoglio|
dipstyle=]|
offstyle=Your Eminence|
relstyle=]|image=Brasão Card. Bergoglio.jpg|
See=]|
deathstyle=|}}


==Early years==
When Cardinal Quarracino departed from service, Bergoglio succeeded him on February 28, 1998. He was concurrently named ] for ] in Argentina, who lacked their own ]. Pope John Paul II summoned the newly named archbishop to the consistory of February 21, 2001 in ]. There, the pope elevated Bergoglio with the papal honors of a cardinal. He was named to the Cardinal-Priest of '']''.
]
Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936<ref name="directory">{{cite web|title=Direttorju Ekklezjastiku 2016|url=http://ms.maltadiocese.org/WEBSITE/2016/DIRETTORJU2016.pdf|date=30 June 2016|publisher=The Church in Malta|language=mt, en|pages=1–2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122212612/http://ms.maltadiocese.org/WEBSITE/2016/DIRETTORJU2016.pdf|archive-date=22 November 2016}}</ref> in ],<ref name=Remeseira /> a ] of ].<ref name="directory" /> He was the eldest<ref name=Garrido /> of five children of Mario José Bergoglio (1908–1959) and Regina María Sívori (1911–1981). Mario Bergoglio was an ] accountant<ref name=biografia /> born in ] (]) in Italy's ] region. Regina Sívori<ref name=Sivori /> was a housewife born in Buenos Aires to a family of ] (Piedmontese-Genoese) origin.<ref name="guardian" /><ref name=Donovan /><ref name=Henderson /> Mario José's family left Italy in 1929 to escape the fascist rule of ].{{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.<ref name=fascism /> His other siblings were Oscar Adrián (1938–deceased), Marta Regina (1940–2007), and Alberto Horacio (1942–2010).<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1563022-los-bergoglio-la-familia-mas-sorprendida|title= Los Bergoglio, la familia más sorprendida|trans-title= The Bergoglio, the most surprised family|language= es|date= 14 March 2013|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 22 April 2015|archive-date= 10 January 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160110202837/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1563022-los-bergoglio-la-familia-mas-sorprendida|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uDekDwAAQBAJ&q=Oscar+Adrian+Bergoglio+1938&pg=PA12|title=People's Pope|last=Holanda|first=Helládio|date=24 May 2019|publisher=Clube de Autores (managed)|language=pt-PT|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=10 March 2024|archive-url=https://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|url-status=live}}</ref> Two great-nephews, Antonio and Joseph, died in a traffic collision.<ref name=Tribune /><ref name=nephews /> His niece, ], is a painter based in ], Spain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elmundo.es/loc/2015/03/29/55159452e2704e25158b457b.html|title=La sobrina 'artista' del Papa presenta su obra en Madrid|work=El Mundo|date=3 March 2015|access-date=20 March 2020|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308040430/https://www.elmundo.es/loc/2015/03/29/55159452e2704e25158b457b.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.antena3.com/se-estrena/noticias/escribir-pincel-documental-obra-pictorica-cristina-bergoglio-sobrina-papa-francisco_201906245d14ce060cf2ee729a41cf22.html|title='Escribir con el pincel', el documental sobre la obra pictórica de Cristina Bergoglio, la sobrina del Papa Francisco|publisher=Se Estrena, ]|date=27 June 2019|access-date=20 March 2020|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308095718/https://www.antena3.com/se-estrena/noticias/escribir-pincel-documental-obra-pictorica-cristina-bergoglio-sobrina-papa-francisco_201906245d14ce060cf2ee729a41cf22.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


In the sixth grade, Bergoglio attended Wilfrid Barón de los Santos Ángeles, a school of the ], in ], Buenos Aires Province. He attended the technical secondary school Escuela Técnica Industrial Nº 27 Hipólito Yrigoyen,<ref name="techniciandegree" /> named after ], and graduated with a chemical technician's diploma.<ref name="directory" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/does-pope-francis-have-masters-degree-chemistry|title=Does Pope Francis have a master's degree in chemistry?|date=3 June 2015|newspaper=]|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=20 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320133457/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/does-pope-francis-have-masters-degree-chemistry|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-holy-ce/|title=Fact Check: False: Pope Francis Has a Master's Degree in Chemistry|website=]|date=4 June 2015|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128020611/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-holy-ce/|url-status=live}}</ref> In that capacity, he spent several years working in the food section of Hickethier-Bachmann Laboratory,<ref name=Clarin /> where he worked under ]. Earlier, he was a bouncer and a janitor.<ref name=burke /><ref name=Chua />
==Cardinal==
], December, 2007.]]
As cardinal, Bergoglio was appointed to several administrative positions in the ]. He served on the Congregation of Clergy, Congregation of Divine Worship and Sacraments, Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Congregation of Societies of Apostolic Life. Bergoglio became a member of the Commission on Latin American and the Family Council.


When he was 21 years old, after life-threatening ] and three ], Bergoglio had part of a lung excised.<ref name=techniciandegree /><ref name="reuters" />
As Cardinal, Bergoglio has become known for personal humility, doctrinal conservatism and a commitment to social justice. A simple lifestyle has contributed to his reputation for humility. He lives in a small apartment, rather than in the palatial bishop's residence. He gave up his chauffeured limousine in favor of public transportation, and he reportedly cooks his own meals.


==Jesuit (1958–2013)==
Upon the death of Pope John Paul II, Bergoglio was summoned to Vatican City to participate in the ] as a ]. Although Bergoglio was considered '']'' himself, the conclave selected ]. Earlier, he had participated in the ] and acted as a ] alongside the ], governing the Holy See and the Roman Catholic Church during the ] ] period. Cardinal Bergoglio remains eligible to participate in any future ] that begin before his 80th birthday on December 17, 2016.
Bergoglio found his vocation to the priesthood while he was on his way to celebrate the ]. He passed by a church to go to ], and was inspired by the priest.<ref>Sergio Rubin; Francesca Ambrogetti, Pope Francis – Conversations with Jorge Bergoglio. pp. 45–46</ref> Bergoglio studied at the archdiocesan ], ], in ], Buenos Aires, and, after three years, entered the Society of Jesus as a novice on 11 March 1958.<ref name=aicabio /> 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.<ref name="celibacy">{{cite news|date=20 March 2013|title=Pope Francis Spoke of Being 'Dazzled' by Girl, Possible Change of Celibacy Rule|work=Balitang America|publisher=]|url=https://balitangamerica.tv/pope-francis-spoke-of-being-dazzled-by-girl-possible-change-of-celibacy-rule/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308004414/https://balitangamerica.tv/pope-francis-spoke-of-being-dazzled-by-girl-possible-change-of-celibacy-rule/|archive-date=8 March 2019}}</ref> As a Jesuit novice he studied humanities in ], Chile.<ref>{{cite news|title=En 1958, Bergoglio hizo su noviciado en Chile|language=es|url=http://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Nacional/2013/03/829934/En-1958-Bergoglio-hizo-su-noviciado-en-Chile|access-date=19 March 2013|newspaper=La Segunda|date=13 March 2013|archive-date=18 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318032737/http://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Nacional/2013/03/829934/En-1958-Bergoglio-hizo-su-noviciado-en-Chile|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 ] of a member of the order.<ref>Lanser, p. 96</ref><ref name="RO42">Rosales & Olivera, p. 42</ref>


In 1960, Bergoglio obtained a ] in philosophy from the ] in ], Buenos Aires Province. He taught literature and ] at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, a high school in ], from 1964 to 1965. In 1966, he taught the same courses at the ] in Buenos Aires.<ref name="directory" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio.html|title=Biography of the Holy Father Francis|publisher=The Holy See|access-date=15 May 2015|archive-date=15 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315031550/http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the 2005 Synod of Bishops, he was elected member of the Post-Synodal council. Catholic journalist ] reported that Bergoglio had been a frontrunner in the 2005 Conclave. An unauthorized diary of uncertain authenticity released in September 2005 further affirmed that Bergogolio was the runner-up and main challenger of Cardinal Ratzinger during the conclave. The purported diary of the anonymous cardinal claimed Bergoglio received 40 votes during the third ballot, but fell back to 26 at the fourth and decisive ballot.


===Presbyterate (1969–1992)===
On November 8, 2005, Bergoglio was elected President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three-year term (2005&ndash;2008) by a large majority of the Argentine bishops, which according to reports confirms his local leadership and the international prestige earned by his alleged performance in the conclave.
In 1967, Bergoglio began his theological studies at ]. On 13 December 1969, he was ] to the priesthood by Archbishop ]. He served as the ] for the province there and became a professor of theology.<ref>{{cite news|title=Biografía: ¿Quién es Jorge Bergoglio?|url=http://www.news.va/es/news/biografia-quien-es-jorge-mario-bergoglio|access-date=8 May 2015|publisher=Vatican|date=13 March 2013|archive-date=14 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314204037/http://www.news.va/es/news/biografia-quien-es-jorge-mario-bergoglio|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Bergoglio completed his final stage of spiritual training as a Jesuit, ], at ], Spain, and took final, solemn vows as a Jesuit, including the ] of obedience to missioning by the pope, on 22 April 1973.<ref name="RO42" /> He was named ] of the Society of Jesus in Argentina that July, for a six-year term which ended in 1979.<ref name="directory" /><ref name="sjvows">{{cite web|url=http://www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-b.htm#Bergoglio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318051517/http://www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-b.htm |archive-date=18 March 2014 |title=The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church&nbsp;– Biographies&nbsp;– A |publisher=Florida International University |access-date=19 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1973, shortly after being named provincial superior, he had made a ] to Jerusalem but his stay was shortened by the outbreak of the ].<ref name="travel">{{cite web|url= http://www.lastampa.it/2014/03/29/esteri/vatican-insider/en/why-bergoglio-travels-so-little-NbBzQ8c3DvALud1JCTH5HP/pagina.html|title= Why Bergoglio travels so little|date= 29 March 2014|publisher= Vatican Insider|access-date= 6 May 2014|archive-date= 6 October 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141006082919/http://www.lastampa.it/2014/03/29/esteri/vatican-insider/en/why-bergoglio-travels-so-little-NbBzQ8c3DvALud1JCTH5HP/pagina.html|url-status= dead}}</ref> After the completion of his term of office, in 1980 he was named the ] of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel where he had studied.<ref>The Vatican Today, 13 March 2013, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018141414/http://www.news.va/en/news/biography-who-is-jorge-mario-bergoglio |date=18 October 2017 }}. Retrieved 6 April 2013</ref> 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 ], Dublin.<ref>''The Irish Independent'', 30 March 2013, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110130508/http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-year-pope-francis-came-to-live-in-dublin-29163804.html|date=10 November 2013}}. Retrieved 10 November 2013</ref> He served at San Miguel for six years until 1986<ref name="directory" /> when, at the discretion of Jesuit superior-general ], 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.<ref name="Austen Ivereigh">Austen Ivereigh, The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope, Henry Holt 2014</ref>
==Views==
===Liberation theology===
Bergoglio is an accomplished theologian who distanced himself from ] early in his career. He is thought to be close to ], a conservative lay movement.


He spent several months at the ] in Frankfurt, Germany, considering possible ] topics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Neuigkeiten 14.03|url=http://www.sankt-georgen.de/|work=Hochschule|publisher=Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen|access-date=14 March 2013|quote=...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.|archive-date=12 April 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412091638/http://www.sankt-georgen.de/nachrichten/nachrichten.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He settled on exploring the work of the German / Italian theologian ], particularly his study of 'Contrast' published in his 1925 work ''Der Gegensatz''. He returned to Argentina earlier than expected to serve as a ] and ] to the Jesuit community in ].<ref name="litoral">{{cite news|title=Biografía de Jorge Bergoglio|language=es|url=http://www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/86958|access-date=14 March 2013|publisher=El Litoral|date=14 March 2013|archive-date=15 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315233601/http://www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/86958|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was believed that while in Germany, he saw the painting of ] in ] 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ich kenne auch die leeren Momente" Was bedeutet Glaube? Ein ZEIT-Gespräch mit Papst Franziskus. |url=https://www.zeit.de/2017/11/papst-franziskus-vatikan-katholische-kirche-interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726123339/https://www.zeit.de/2017/11/papst-franziskus-vatikan-katholische-kirche-interview |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 July 2017 |accessdate=25 April 2020|newspaper=die Zeit|date=6 April 2017}}</ref>{{efn|This devotion has since spread to Brazil; it "attracts people with small problems".<ref>{{cite news|last=Bellos|first=Alex|title=Virgin painting ties Brazilians in knots|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/dec/24/alexbellos|access-date=14 March 2013|work=]|date=23 December 2001|location=London|archive-date=25 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825230223/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/dec/24/alexbellos|url-status=live}}</ref> Bergoglio had an image of Mary Untier of Knots inscribed on a chalice he presented to Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jiménez |first=Pablo |title=The Pope's chalice: silver-made, austere and featuring Our Lady of Luján |url=http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126383/the-popes-chalice-silvermade-austere-and-featuring-our-lady-of-luj%C3%A1n |access-date=14 March 2013 |work=Buenos Aires Herald |date=14 March 2013 |archive-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317114309/http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126383/the-popes-chalice-silvermade-austere-and-featuring-our-lady-of-luj%C3%A1n |url-status=dead }}</ref>}} As a student at the Salesian school, Bergoglio was mentored by ] priest ]. Bergoglio often rose hours before his classmates to serve ] for Czmil.<ref>Paul Vallely, Pope Francis: Untying the Knots, Bloomsbury, 2013</ref><ref name="greek">{{cite news|last=Shkodziska|first=Oksana|title=Patriarch Sviatoslav: Newly Elected Pope Knows Ukrainian Catholic Church, its Liturgy and Spirituality|url=http://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/catholics/ugcc/51592|publisher=Religious Information Service of Ukraine|date=13 March 2013|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=17 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317063725/http://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/catholics/ugcc/51592|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Abortion and euthanasia===
Cardinal Bergoglio has invited his clergy and laity to oppose both abortion and euthanasia.<ref></ref>


In 1992, Jesuit authorities asked Bergoglio not to live in Jesuit residences due to ongoing tensions with leaders and scholars, concerns about his "dissent," views on Catholic orthodoxy, opposition to ], and his role as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires.<ref name="ncronline.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/understand-pope-francis-look-jesuits|title=To understand Pope Francis, look to the Jesuits|date=12 March 2014|work=ncronline.org|access-date=29 October 2016|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828172510/https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/understand-pope-francis-look-jesuits|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2015/01/07/4158763.htm|title=Setting the Record Straight on Pope Francis: A Reply to Frank Brennan|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=7 January 2015|access-date=21 July 2015|archive-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524004542/http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2015/01/07/4158763.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Vallely |first1=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQQoAAAAQBAJ&q=pope+francis+hans+kolvenbach&pg=PA60 |title=Pope Francis: Untying the knots |publisher=C Black |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-4729-0372-3 |language=en |access-date=19 October 2020 |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://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 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a bishop he was no longer subject to his Jesuit superior.<ref>{{cite web|date=18 March 2013|title=Is Pope Francis still a Jesuit?|url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-francis-still-jesuit|access-date=6 September 2020|website=National Catholic Reporter|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000851/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-francis-still-jesuit|url-status=live}}</ref> From then on, he did not visit Jesuit houses and was in "virtual estrangement from the Jesuits" until after his election as pope.<ref name="Austen Ivereigh" /><ref name="ncronline.org" />
===Homosexuality===
He has affirmed church teaching on ], though he teaches the importance of respecting individuals who are gay. He strongly opposed legislation introduced in 2010 by the Argentine Government to allow ]. In a letter to the monasteries of Buenos Aires, he wrote: "Let's not be naive, we're not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God." He has also insisted that ] is a form of discrimination against children. This received a rebuke from the Argentine president, ], who said the church's tone was reminiscent of "medieval times and the Inquisition".<ref>Pink News at http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/07/13/catholic-cardinal-says-gay-marriage-in-argentina-is-the-work-of-the-devil/</ref>


===Pre-papal episcopate (1992–2013)===
===Church and AIDS===
Bergoglio was named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and ] on 27 June 1992 as ],<ref name="directory" /><ref>The ] of Auca, established in 1969, is seated at ], Spain: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222184219/http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t0229.htm |date=22 December 2017 }}.</ref> with Cardinal ], archbishop of Buenos Aires, serving as principal consecrator.<ref name="aica">{{cite web|title=Bergoglio, Jorge Mario|url=http://www.aica.org/guia-s-T2Jpc3Bvcw==-91|language=es|work=Breve biografía de obispos|publisher=La Agencia Informativa Católica Argentina|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=12 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312140844/http://aica.org/guia-s-t2jpc3bvcw==-91|url-status=dead}}</ref> He chose as his episcopal motto ''Miserando atque eligendo''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-14/francis-toughened-by-argentine-politics-ready-for-papal-test.html|title=Francis Toughened by Argentine Politics Ready for Papal Test|publisher=]|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316192345/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-14/francis-toughened-by-argentine-politics-ready-for-papal-test.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is drawn from ]'s homily on Matthew 9:9–13: "because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him".<ref name="Catholic News Service">{{cite web |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301207.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317181215/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301207.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 March 2013 |title=Pope's episcopal motto comes from homily by English doctor of church |last1=Glatz |first1=Carol |date=15 March 2013 |publisher=Catholic News Service |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref>
{{Main|Roman Catholic Church and AIDS}}
His doctrinal conservatism is tempered with compassion: he is well remembered for his 2001 visit to a hospice, in which he washed and kissed the feet of twelve AIDS patients.


On 3 June 1997, Bergoglio was appointed ] of Buenos Aires and succeeded as metropolitan archbishop after Quarracino's death on 28 February 1998. As archbishop, he established new parishes, restructured the archdiocese, led pro-life efforts, and formed a commission on divorces.<ref name="directory" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Jesuit Argentine Cardinal Bergoglio elected pope, takes name Francis|url=http://www.jesuit.org/2013/03/13/jesuit-argentine-cardinal-jesuit-bergoglio-elected-pope-takes-name-francis-i|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316025854/http://www.jesuit.org/2013/03/13/jesuit-argentine-cardinal-jesuit-bergoglio-elected-pope-takes-name-francis-i|archive-date=16 March 2013|publisher=jesuit.org|access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/slum-priests-pope-franciss-early-years/274201/ |title=Haley Cohen, "Slum Priest: Pope Francis' Early Year", ''The Atlantic'', 20 March 2013 |magazine=] |date=20 March 2013 |access-date=23 June 2013 |archive-date=1 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701142605/http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/slum-priests-pope-franciss-early-years/274201/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This work led to him being called the "Slum Bishop."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/05/09/un-should-encourage-redistribution-of-wealth-pope-says/ | title=U.N. should encourage redistribution of wealth, pope says | agency=] | date=9 May 2014 | access-date=8 November 2014 | author=Puella, Phillip | archive-date=9 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109031856/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-09/features/sns-rt-us-pope-un-20140509_1_pope-francis-first-non-european-pope-united-nations | url-status=live }}</ref>
===Social justice===
He consistently preaches a message of compassion towards the poor, but some observers would like him to place a greater emphasis on issues of social justice. Rather than articulating positions on matters of political economy, Bergoglio prefers to emphasize spirituality and holiness, believing that this will naturally lead to greater concern for the suffering of the poor. He has, however, voiced support for social programs, and publicly challenged free-market policies.


Early in his tenure as archbishop, Bergoglio sold the archdiocese's bank shares and moved its accounts to regular international banks. This ended the church's high spending habits, which had nearly led to bankruptcy, and enforced stricter fiscal discipline.<ref>{{cite news |last=Coday |first=Dennis |url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/former-aide-says-francis-may-close-vatican-bank |title=John Allen, "Former aide says Francis may close Vatican Bank" |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |date=4 April 2013 |access-date=23 June 2013 |archive-date=10 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710015333/http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/former-aide-says-francis-may-close-vatican-bank |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Relations with the Argentine government===

On 6 November 1998, while remaining archbishop of Buenos Aires, he was named ] for those ] in Argentina who lacked a ] of their own church.<ref name=aica /> Major Archbishop ] said that Bergoglio understands the liturgy, rites, and spirituality of Shevchuk's ] and always "took care of our Church in Argentina" as ordinary for Eastern Catholics during his time as archbishop of Buenos Aires.<ref name="greek" />

In 2000, Bergoglio was the only church official to reconcile with ], a former bishop who had been suspended as a priest after opposing the ] military dictatorship in 1972. He defended Podestá's wife from Vatican attacks on their marriage.<ref>{{cite news|last=Magister|first=Sandro|title=Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Profession: Servant of the Servants of God|url=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y|access-date=16 March 2013|magazine=]|publisher=Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso|location=Rome, Italy|date=2 December 2002|archive-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316052340/http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Margaret|last=Hebblethwaite|title=The Pope Francis I know|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/the-pope-francis-i-know|access-date=16 March 2013|newspaper=]|date=14 March 2013|location=London, England|quote=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.|archive-date=26 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926235557/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/the-pope-francis-i-know|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Stella|last=Calloni|title=Acusado de tener vínculos con la dictadura; la derecha lo defiende|language=es|url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2013/03/14/politica/004n1pol|newspaper=]|publisher=Desarrollo de Medios S.A. de C.V|location=Mexico City, Mexico|date=13 March 2013|access-date=27 October 2018|archive-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316234306/http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2013/03/14/politica/004n1pol|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Magister|first=Sandro|title=Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Profession: Servant of the Servants of God|url=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y|magazine=]|publisher=Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso|location=Rome, Italy|date=2 December 2002|access-date=16 March 2013|archive-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316052340/http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bergoglio regularly celebrated the ] ] ritual in jails, hospitals, retirement homes, and slums.<ref>{{cite news|first=Philip|last=Pullella|title=Pope to hold major Holy Week service in youth jail|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-jail-idUSBRE92K0CF20130321|work=]|location=London|date=21 March 2013|access-date=22 March 2013|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110202839/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-jail-idUSBRE92K0CF20130321|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, shortly after Benedict XVI introduced new rules for pre-Vatican II liturgical forms, Cardinal Bergoglio established a weekly Mass in this ] of the ].<ref>Sergio Rubin, "Regresó la misa en latín, con mujeres cubiertas por mantillas". ''Clarin''. (17 September 2007). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925115753/https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/regreso-misa-latin-mujeres-cubiertas-mantillas_0_rJHgqqkkAFg.html |date=25 September 2019 }}.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=El latín volvió a las misas|url=http://www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=31360|publisher=Línea Capital|access-date=14 March 2013|date=17 September 2007|language=es|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190531/http://www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=31360|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 8 November 2005, Bergoglio was elected president of the ] for a three-year term (2005–08).<ref>{{cite news|title=Elige Sus Nuevas Autoridades La Conferencia Episcopal|url=http://www.mercedesya.com.ar/noticias/30008397-elige-sus-nuevas-autoridades-la-conferencia-episcopal.htm|access-date=21 March 2013|publisher=Mercedes Ya|date=7 November 2005|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193258/http://www.mercedesya.com.ar/noticias/30008397-elige-sus-nuevas-autoridades-la-conferencia-episcopal.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He was reelected to another three-year term on 11 November 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=El cardenal Bergoglio fue reelegido frente a la Conferencia Episcopal|url=http://www.derf.com.ar/noticias.asp?cod_des=232534&ID_Seccion=33&fecemi=11/11/2008&|access-date=21 March 2013|publisher=DERF|date=11 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522051308/http://www.derf.com.ar/noticias.asp?cod_des=232534&ID_Seccion=33&fecemi=11%2F11%2F2008&|archive-date=22 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> He remained a member of that commission's permanent governing body, president of its committee for the ], and a member of its liturgy committee for the care of shrines.<ref name=aica /> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Speciale|first=Alessandro|title=Vatican defends Pope Francis' actions during Argentina's 'Dirty War'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/vatican-defends-pope-francis-actions-during-argentinasdirty-war/2013/03/15/070f5324-8db5-11e2-adca-74ab31da3399_story.html|access-date=16 March 2013|newspaper=]|date=15 March 2013|archive-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317070611/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/vatican-defends-pope-francis-actions-during-argentinasdirty-war/2013/03/15/070f5324-8db5-11e2-adca-74ab31da3399_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> When he turned 75 in December 2011, Bergoglio submitted his resignation as archbishop of Buenos Aires to Pope Benedict XVI as required by ].<ref name="travel" /> Still, as he had no coadjutor archbishop, he stayed in office, waiting for an eventual replacement appointed by the Vatican.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bergoglio presenta su renuncia como arzobispo de Buenos Aires, aunque seguirá en el cargo|url=http://noticias.terra.com.ar/politica/bergoglio-presenta-su-renuncia-como-arzobispo-de-buenos-aires-aunque-seguira-en-el-cargo,148ef548c2444310VgnVCM20000099f154d0RCRD.html|access-date=22 March 2013|publisher=Terra Noticias|date=15 December 2011|archive-date=1 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701073209/http://noticias.terra.com.ar/politica/bergoglio-presenta-su-renuncia-como-arzobispo-de-buenos-aires-aunque-seguira-en-el-cargo,148ef548c2444310VgnVCM20000099f154d0RCRD.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Cardinalate (2001–2013)===
]]]
On 21 February 2001, ] made Archbishop Bergoglio a ], assigning him the ] of ] of ], a Jesuit church. Bergoglio was installed there on 14 October. During his trip to Rome for the ceremony, he and his sister María Elena visited their father's hometown in northern Italy.<ref name="fascism">{{cite news|title=Jorge is against regimes. It is because of fascism that our father emigrated|url=http://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|access-date=18 March 2013|newspaper=La Stampa|date=17 March 2013|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110202838/http://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|url-status=dead}}</ref> As cardinal, Bergoglio was appointed to five administrative positions in the ]. He was a member of the ], the ], the ], the ] and the ]. Later that year, when Cardinal ] returned to New York following the ], Bergoglio replaced him as relator (recording secretary) in the ],<ref>{{cite web|title=X Ordinary General Assembly (30 September&nbsp;– 27 October 2001)|url=http://press.catholica.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sinodo_indice_en.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219231945/http://press.catholica.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sinodo_indice_en.html|archive-date=19 February 2011|work=Synod of Bishops|publisher=Holy See|access-date=14 April 2013}}</ref> and, according to the '']'', created "a favourable impression as a man open to communion and dialogue".<ref name="thunder">{{cite news|last=Poirier|first=José Maria|title=Features Quiet thunder in Argentina|url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2013/03/13/quiet-thunder-in-argentina/|access-date=18 March 2013|newspaper=Catholic Herald|date=13 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319001817/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2013/03/13/quiet-thunder-in-argentina/|archive-date=19 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Synodus Episcoporum Bulletin 30 September&nbsp;– 27 October 2001|date=27 October 2001|url=https://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b33_02.html|access-date=14 March 2013|publisher=Holy See Press Office|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105215701/http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b33_02.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

]
Cardinal Bergoglio was known for his personal humility, doctrinal conservatism, and commitment to ].<ref name="Allen" /> His ], including living in a small apartment rather than the elegant bishop's residence, using public transportation, and cooking his own meals, enhanced his reputation for humility.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rubin|first=Sergio|title='El Jesuita,' biography of Jorge Bergoglio, tells of Pope Francis' humble beginnings in the church that he maintained throughout his cardinalship|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-francis-humble-affable-servant-article-1.1288163|access-date=18 March 2013|newspaper=Daily News|location=New York|date=14 March 2013|archive-date=18 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318050915/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-francis-humble-affable-servant-article-1.1288163|url-status=live}}</ref> He limited his time in Rome to "lightning visits."<ref name="falasca">{{cite news|url=http://www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_16457_l3.htm|title=What I would have said at the Consistory|last=Falasca|first=Sefania|date=November 2007|publisher=30 Giorni|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=12 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712154526/http://www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_16457_l3.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He was devoted to ] and enclosed a small picture of her in the letters he wrote, calling her "a great missionary saint".<ref>{{cite web |author=Maureen O'Riordan |url=http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/my-blog-about-st-therese/2013/5/3/pope-francis-and-saint-therese-of-lisieux-to-depend-solely-o.html |title=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" |publisher=Thérèse of Lisieux |access-date=27 December 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191556/http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/my-blog-about-st-therese/2013/5/3/pope-francis-and-saint-therese-of-lisieux-to-depend-solely-o.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

After Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005, Bergoglio attended ] and was considered one of the '']'' for succession to the papacy.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-17-fg-cardinal17-story.html|date=17 April 2005|access-date=14 March 2013|title=Argentine Cardinal Named in Kidnap Lawsuit|journal=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316043207/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17|url-status=live}}</ref> He participated as a ] in the ] that elected Pope Benedict XVI. In the '']'', ] reported that Bergoglio was a frontrunner in the 2005 conclave.<ref name="Allen">{{cite news|last=Allen|first=John L. Jr.|title=Profile: New pope, Jesuit Bergoglio, was runner-up in 2005 conclave|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/papabile-day-men-who-could-be-pope-13|access-date=15 March 2013|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|date=3 March 2013|archive-date=3 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603205738/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/papabile-day-men-who-could-be-pope-13|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Allen|first=John L. Jr.|title=Handicapping the conclave|url=http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/update/conclave/pt041405a.htm|access-date=15 March 2013|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|date=14 April 2005|archive-date=6 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806032925/http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/update/conclave/pt041405a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2005, the Italian magazine '']'' 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.<ref name="CNN05">{{cite news|title=Cardinal breaks conclave vow of secrecy|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/23/conclave.diary.ap/index.html|agency=]|publisher=]|access-date=13 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001062114/http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/23/conclave.diary.ap/index.html|archive-date=1 October 2005|date=23 September 2005}}</ref><ref name="votes2005">{{cite journal|url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0505401.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20050928201437/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0505401.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2005 |journal=Catholic News |date=23 September 2005 |title=Article based on diary says German cardinal became pope with 84 votes |first=Cindy |last=Wooden }} Article gives numbers for the four votes; Ratzinger had most votes, followed by Bergoglio.</ref> The claims were based on a diary purportedly belonging to an anonymous cardinal who had been present at the conclave.<ref name= CNN05 /><ref name="Rubin13">Rubin, p. 13</ref> According to the Italian journalist ], this number of votes had no precedent for a Latin American ''papabile''.<ref name="Rubin13" /> '']'' 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.<ref name="tears">{{cite news |url=http://www.lastampa.it/2013/03/10/vaticaninsider/ita/inchieste-e-interviste/ecco-come-and-davvero-il-conclave-del-PpFofMHBKez0AvYBLzCgBN/pagina.html |title=Ecco come andò davvero il Conclave del 2005 |language=it |work=] |first=Marco |last=Tosatti |access-date=30 January 2017 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802133514/http://www.lastampa.it/2013/03/10/vaticaninsider/ita/inchieste-e-interviste/ecco-come-and-davvero-il-conclave-del-PpFofMHBKez0AvYBLzCgBN/pagina.html |url-status=live }} According to the source, Cardinal Bergoglio begged "almost in tears" ("quasi in lacrime" in Italian)</ref> According to Tornielli, Bergoglio made this request to prevent the conclave from delaying too much in the election of a pope.<ref>Rubin, p. 15</ref>

As a cardinal, Bergoglio was associated with ], a Catholic evangelical lay movement of the type known as ].<ref name="Allen" /><ref>{{cite web |title=One of Pope Francis' allegiances might tell us something about the church's future |last=Manson |first=Jamie |url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/one-pope-francis-allegiances-might-tell-us-something-about-churchs-future |work=National Catholic Reporter |date=15 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=18 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318002733/http://ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/one-pope-francis-allegiances-might-tell-us-something-about-churchs-future |url-status=live }}</ref> He sometimes made appearances at the annual gathering known as the ] held during the late summer months in Italy.<ref name=Allen /> In 2005, Cardinal Bergoglio authorized the request for ]—the third step toward ]hood—for six members of the ] community murdered in the ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Sánchez Alvarado |first=Gretta |title=Francisco: 'El verdadero poder es el servicio' |url=http://www.el-nacional.com/mundo/Francisco-verdadero-poder-servicio_0_156584605.html |access-date=22 March 2013 |publisher=El Nacional |date=20 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321065400/http://el-nacional.com/mundo/Francisco-verdadero-poder-servicio_0_156584605.html |archive-date=21 March 2013 }}</ref><ref name="CT2005">{{cite news |title=Sainthood effort for 5 slain recalls Argentine 'dirty war' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/08/12/sainthood-effort-for-5-slain-recalls-argentine-dirty-war/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=12 August 2005 |access-date=23 March 2013 |first=Colin |last=McMahon |archive-date=16 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516123540/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-08-12/news/0508120166_1_beatification-buenos-aires-argentine-dirty |url-status=live }}</ref> At the same time, Bergoglio ordered an investigation into the murders themselves, which had been widely blamed on the ], the military junta that ruled Argentina at the time.<ref name= CT2005 />

==Argentine government relations==

===Dirty War===
{{See also|Dirty War}} {{See also|Dirty War}}
On April 15, 2005, a human rights lawyer filed a criminal complaint against Bergoglio, accusing him of conspiring with the junta in 1976 to kidnap two ] priests, whom he, as superior of the Society of Jesus of Argentina in 1976 had asked to leave their pastoral work following conflict within the Society over how to respond to the new military dictatorship, with some priests advocating a violent overthrow. Bergoglio's spokesman has flatly denied the allegations. No hard evidence was presented linking the cardinal to this crime.


Bergoglio was the subject of allegations regarding the ]'s kidnapping of two ] priests, Orlando Yorio and ], in May 1976, during Argentina's ].<ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/new-pope-theologically-conservative-but-with-a-common-touch.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314170716/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/new-pope-theologically-conservative-but-with-a-common-touch.html |archive-date=14 March 2013 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=A Conservative With a Common Touch|date=13 March 2013|newspaper=]|last2=Rother|first2=Larry|last1=Schmall|first1=Emily|access-date=14 March 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-jesuits-and-dirty-war|title=Thomas Reese, "Francis, the Jesuits and the Dirty War", ''National Catholic Reporter'', 17 March 2013|last=Coday|first=Dennis|date=17 March 2013|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=23 June 2013|archive-date=6 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606012812/http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-jesuits-and-dirty-war|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005, ], 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.<ref name="latimes1">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-17-fg-cardinal17-story.html|title=Argentine Cardinal Named in Kidnap Lawsuit|date=17 April 2005|work=]|access-date=13 March 2013|archive-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316043207/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17|url-status=live}}</ref> Her complaint did not specify how Bergoglio was involved; Bergoglio's spokesman flatly denied the allegations. The complaint was ultimately dismissed.<ref name="nytimes1" /> The priests were tortured,<ref name="rubin">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195|title=Pope Francis Is Known For Simplicity And Humility|date=13 March 2013|agency=]|quote=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.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316234307/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195|archive-date=16 March 2013|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|access-date=13 March 2013}}</ref> 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".<ref name="WAPO">{{cite news|title=Pope's activity in Dirty War Draws Scrutiny|date=17 March 2013|work=Chicago Tribune|page=27|author=Miroff, Nick}}</ref> Jalics initially refused to discuss the complaint after moving into seclusion in a German monastery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/pope_francis_a_look_at_the_lif.html|title=Pope Francis: A look at the life of the first South American pontiff|date=13 March 2013|work=The Star-Ledger|access-date=13 March 2013|archive-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316071314/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/pope_francis_a_look_at_the_lif.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html|title=Declaration of Father Franz Jalics SJ|date=15 March 2013|publisher=German Jesuit Web site|language=de|access-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316013724/http://www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html|archive-date=16 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/21/pope-francis-argentinian-junta-priest|title=Pope Francis did not denounce me to Argentinian junta, says priest|last=Watts|first=Jonathan|date=21 March 2013|newspaper=]|location=London|access-date=21 March 2013|archive-date=5 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905003957/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/21/pope-francis-argentinian-junta-priest|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erganzende-erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html|title=Second Declaration of Father Franz Jalics SJ|date=20 March 2013|publisher=German Jesuit Web site|language=de|access-date=21 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328015725/http://www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erganzende-erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html|archive-date=28 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Other functions of Cardinal Bergoglio==

*Member of the ].
Bergoglio told his authorized biographer, ], that after the priests' imprisonment, he worked behind the scenes for their release; Bergoglio's intercession with dictator ] on their behalf may have saved their lives.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195|title=Pope Francis Is Known For Simplicity And Humility|date=13 March 2013|agency=]|quote=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.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316234307/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174220195|archive-date=16 March 2013|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|access-date=13 March 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name="rubin" /> The interview with Rubin, reflected in the biography '']'', is the only time Bergoglio has spoken to the press about those events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html|title=Dias inolvidables para su biógrafo|date=17 March 2013|work=El Papa del fin del mundo|publisher=Clarín|language=es|trans-title=Unforgettable days for his biographer|author=Pablo Javier Blanco|access-date=13 March 2013|archive-date=19 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319210706/http://contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ], a former Argentine judge, has also reported that Bergoglio helped people flee Argentina during the rule of the junta.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Oliveira-Garre-sabe-todo-lo-que-hizo-Bergoglio-20130315-0019.html|title=Alicia Oliveira: "Garré sabe todo lo que hizo Bergoglio"|last=Indart|first=Ramón|date=15 March 2013|language=es|work=Perfil|access-date=22 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518130955/http://www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Oliveira-Garre-sabe-todo-lo-que-hizo-Bergoglio-20130315-0019.html|archive-date=18 May 2013}}</ref> Since Francis became pope, Gonzalo Mosca<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1566175-yo-pensaba-si-el-padre-este-era-consciente-de-lo-que-se-estaba-jugando|title=Yo pensaba si el padre éste era consciente de lo que se estaba jugando|date=23 March 2013|newspaper=La Nacion|access-date=23 June 2013|archive-date=27 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327104407/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1566175-yo-pensaba-si-el-padre-este-era-consciente-de-lo-que-se-estaba-jugando|url-status=live}}</ref> and José Caravias<ref>{{cite news|url=http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/03/24/actualidad/1364087082_791943.html|title=Un cura español dice que el Papa evitó que lo mataran durante la dictadura argentina|date=24 March 2013|newspaper=El País|access-date=23 June 2013|archive-date=28 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528190823/http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/03/24/actualidad/1364087082_791943.html|url-status=live}}</ref> have related to journalists accounts of how Bergoglio helped them flee the Argentine dictatorship.
*Member of the ].

*Member of the ].
Oliveira described the future pope as "anguished" and "very critical of the dictatorship" during the Dirty War.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21794798|title=Argentina 'Dirty War' accusations haunt Pope Francis|date=15 March 2013|work=]|last1=Hernandez|first1=Vladimir|access-date=18 March 2013|archive-date=18 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318023019/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21794798|url-status=live}}</ref> 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."<ref name="WAPO" /> Artist and human rights activist ], the 1980 ] 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."<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Goni|first2=Uki|date=15 March 2013|title=Pope Francis: role during Argentina's military era disputed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/15/pope-francis-argentina-military-era|journal=The Guardian|first1=Jonathan|last1=Watts|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-date=1 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201205222/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/15/pope-francis-argentina-military-era|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|date=14 March 2013|title='Bergoglio had no links with the dictatorship,' Peace Nobel Prize winner|url=http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126367/%E2%80%98bergoglio-had-no-links-with-the-dictatorship%E2%80%99-peace-nobel-prize-winner|journal=Buenos Aires Herald|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=24 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724233031/http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126367/%E2%80%98bergoglio-had-no-links-with-the-dictatorship%E2%80%99-peace-nobel-prize-winner|url-status=dead}}</ref> ], member of the ], also said that there was no proof linking Bergoglio with the dictatorship. She told the '']'' newspaper: "There is no information and Justice couldn't prove it. I was in the ] during all the dictatorship years and I received hundreds of testimonies. Bergoglio was never mentioned. It was the same in the ]. Nobody mentioned him as instigator or as anything."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Fioriti|first=Santiago|title=Atacan a Bergoglio porque Cristina no quería que fuera Papa|url=http://www.clarin.com/mundo/Atacan-Bergoglio-Cristina-queria-Papa_CLAFIL20130315_0002.pdf|journal=]|language=es|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=19 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319054439/http://www.clarin.com/mundo/Atacan-Bergoglio-Cristina-queria-Papa_CLAFIL20130315_0002.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> ], President of the Argentine Supreme Court, also has said that Bergoglio is "completely innocent" of the accusations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francedco-francis-francisco-23329/|title="Bergoglio is completely innocent," says Argentina's Supreme Court|date=18 March 2013|publisher=Vatican Insider|access-date=23 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526015515/http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francedco-francis-francisco-23329/|archive-date=26 May 2013}}</ref> Historian ] pointed that, during early 1976, the military junta still had a good image among society, and that the ] 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/19/pope-francis-argentina-1970s|title=Pope Francis: what did he really do in Argentina in the 1970s?|last=Goñi|first=Uki|date=19 March 2013|newspaper=]|access-date=11 February 2015|archive-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212201312/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/19/pope-francis-argentina-1970s|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Member of the ].

When Bergoglio became pope, an alleged photo of him giving the ] to dictator Jorge Rafael Videla became popular in social networks. It has also been used by the newspaper '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoomnews.es/34129/actualidad/mundo/bergoglio-historia-papa-francisco-dictadura-argentina-videla|title=Bergoglio: la verdadera historia del Papa Francisco y la dictadura de Videla|last=Cifuentes|first=Pedro|date=15 March 2013|publisher=Zoom News|language=es|trans-title=Bergoglio: the true story of Pope Francis and Videla's dictatorship|access-date=28 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130701131917/http://www.zoomnews.es/34129/actualidad/mundo/bergoglio-historia-papa-francisco-dictadura-argentina-videla|archive-date=1 July 2013}}</ref> 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 '']'' newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://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=The fake viral photo of pope Francis: who is the priest that gives the communion to Videla|date=19 March 2013|publisher=Info Technology|name-list-style=amp|author1=Joaquín Garau|author2=Pablo Martín Fernández|access-date=11 February 2015|archive-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212212239/http://www.infotechnology.com/internet/The-fake-viral-photo-of-pope-Francis-who-is-the-priest-that-gives-the-communion-to-Videla-20130319-0002.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Fernando de la Rúa===
] replaced ] as president of Argentina in 1999. As an archbishop, Bergoglio celebrated the annual Mass at the ] on the '']'' holiday, 25 May. In 2000, Bergoglio criticized the perceived apathy of society.<ref>Rubin, p. 19</ref> During Argentina's ], the Catholic Church criticized the government's austerity measures, which worsened poverty. De la Rúa asked the church to facilitate dialogue between economic and political leaders to address the crisis. Although he claimed to have spoken with Bergoglio about participating, Bergoglio reportedly said the meeting was canceled due to a misunderstanding by De la Rúa's assistant. Bishop Jorge Casaretto doubts this, noting that De la Rúa only made the request in newspaper interviews, not formally to the church.<ref>Reato, p. 160</ref>

In the ], the ] won a majority in Congress and appointed ] as Senate president. With Vice-president ] having resigned, the opposing party was ]. Bergoglio met with Puerta and was positively impressed. Puerta assured him that the Justicialist Party was not planning to oust De la Rúa and promised to support the president in advancing necessary legislation.<ref>Reato, pp. 222–223</ref>

During police repression of the ], he contacted the Ministry of the Interior and asked that the police distinguish rioters and vandals from peaceful protesters.<ref>Rubin, pp. 18–19</ref>

===Néstor and Cristina Kirchner===
], holding traditional Argentine ] drinkware]]

When Bergoglio celebrated Mass at the cathedral for the 2004 ''First National Government'' holiday, President ] attended and heard Bergoglio request more political dialogue, reject intolerance, and criticize exhibitionism and strident announcements.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/604859-el-mensaje-de-la-iglesia-era-para-kirchner|title=El mensaje de la Iglesia era para Kirchner|last=Obarrio|first=Mariano|date=27 May 2004|newspaper=La Nación|language=es|trans-title=The message of the church was for Kirchner|access-date=13 March 2013|archive-date=29 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329094231/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/604859-el-mensaje-de-la-iglesia-era-para-kirchner|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kirchner celebrated the national day elsewhere the following year and the Mass in the cathedral was suspended.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/706830-suspendio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190651/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/706830-suspendio|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2013|title=Suspendió la Iglesia el tedeum en la Capital|last=Colonna|first=Lucas|date=24 May 2005|newspaper=La Nación|language=es|trans-title=The church suspended the tedeum in the capital|access-date=13 March 2013}}</ref> In 2006, Bergoglio helped the fellow Jesuit ] to win the elections in the ] 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.<ref>Reato, pp. 224–225</ref> Kirchner considered Bergoglio as a political rival to the day he died in October 2010.<ref name="anios">{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1562777-jorge-bergoglio-y-los-kirchner-anos-de-una-relacion-tensa|title=Jorge Bergoglio y los Kirchner: años de una relación tensa|date=14 March 2013|newspaper=La Nación|language=es|trans-title=Jorge Bergoglio and the Kirchners: years of a tense relation|access-date=13 March 2013|archive-date=19 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319041650/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1562777-jorge-bergoglio-y-los-kirchner-anos-de-una-relacion-tensa|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bergoglio's relations with Kirchner's widow and successor, ], have been similarly tense. In 2008, Bergoglio called for national reconciliation during ] in the country's agricultural regions, which the government interpreted as a support for anti-government demonstrators.<ref name="anios" /> The campaign to enact ] was a particularly tense period in their relations.<ref name="anios" />

When Bergoglio was elected pope, the initial reactions were mixed. Most of the Argentine society cheered it, but the pro-government newspaper '']'' published renewed allegations about the Dirty War, and the president of the ] 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 "]" in her relations with him and fully embraced the Francis phenomenon.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/christina-fernandez-de-kirchner-pope-francis|title=Cristina Fernández de Kirchner turns Pope Francis from foe to friend|date=27 March 2013|newspaper=]|access-date=15 March 2014|archive-date=17 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317010556/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/christina-fernandez-de-kirchner-pope-francis|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cp24.com/world/pope-s-diplomacy-put-to-test-as-leaders-flock-to-rome-1.1200040|title=Pope's diplomacy put to test as leaders flock to Rome|date=18 March 2013|publisher=CP24|agency=]|access-date=15 May 2015|archive-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620125831/http://www.cp24.com/world/pope-s-diplomacy-put-to-test-as-leaders-flock-to-rome-1.1200040|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2013/0318/Making-nice-Argentina-s-Kirchner-and-Pope-Francis-meet-in-Rome-video|title=Making nice? Argentina's Kirchner and Pope Francis meet in Rome|last=Gilbert|first=Jonathan|date=18 March 2013|work=The Christian Science Monitor|access-date=26 March 2013|archive-date=25 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325221658/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2013/0318/Making-nice-Argentina-s-Kirchner-and-Pope-Francis-meet-in-Rome-video|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Página/12'' ] their controversial articles about Bergoglio, written by ], from their web page, as a result of this change.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perfil.com/politica/Pagina12-saco-notas-de-Verbitsky-sobre-Bergoglio-y-la-dictadura-20141118-0024.html|title=Página 12 sacó notas de Verbitsky sobre Bergoglio y la dictadura|date=18 November 2014|publisher=Perfil|language=es|trans-title=Página 12 removed Verbitsky's articles about Bergoglio and the dictatorship|access-date=28 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620125109/http://www.perfil.com/politica/Pagina12-saco-notas-de-Verbitsky-sobre-Bergoglio-y-la-dictadura-20141118-0024.html|archive-date=20 June 2015}}</ref>

===Javier Milei===
Before ]'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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goñi |first=Uki |date=27 August 2023 |title=The 'false prophet' v the pope: Argentina faces clash of ideologies in election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/27/the-false-prophet-v-the-pope-argentina-faces-clash-of-ideologies-in-election |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712 |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://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 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 ], the first female Argentine saint.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/02/12/pope-francis-argentina-president-javier-milei-vatican-247286 | title=Pope Francis and Argentina's President Milei hit it off | date=12 February 2024 | access-date=24 February 2024 | archive-date=24 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224144947/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/02/12/pope-francis-argentina-president-javier-milei-vatican-247286 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Papacy (2013–present)==
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Vatican II revisited|Theology of Pope Francis#Church leadership}}
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| footer = The gold star represents the ], the grape-like plant—the ]—is associated with ] and the ] is the symbol of the Jesuits.<ref>{{cite news |title=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.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130321131012/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9937813/Vatican-releases-Pope-Francis-coat-of-arms-motto-and-ring.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 21 March 2013|newspaper=]|date=18 March 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/stemma-papa-francesco_it.html |title=Lo Stemma di Papa Francesco |publisher=L'Osservatore Romano (Vatican website) |access-date=18 March 2013 |archive-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209090516/http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/stemma-papa-francesco_it.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NCR" />
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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.<ref name="The Guardian-2013b" /> The only concern would be decreased respiratory reserve if he had a respiratory infection.<ref name="Park-2013" /> In the past, one attack of ] in 2007 prevented him from attending a consistory and delayed his return to Argentina for several days.<ref name="falasca" />

Francis is the first ] pope. This was a significant appointment, because of the sometimes tense relations between the ] and the ].<ref>Caleb K. Bell (14 March 2013). "Why the first Jesuit pope is a big deal". Religion News Service. Retrieved 8 June 2015.</ref> 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.<ref>. Fox News Channel. Associated Press. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 31 March 2024.</ref>
He is also the first from the Americas,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://world.time.com/2013/03/13/pope-of-the-americas/|title=Pope of the Americas|date=13 March 2013|magazine=]|author=Howard Chua-Eoan|access-date=8 June 2015|archive-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531041636/http://world.time.com/2013/03/13/pope-of-the-americas/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the first from the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Fordham Experts Weigh in on Pope Francis' First Decade |url=https://news.fordham.edu/living-the-mission/fordham-experts-weigh-in-on-pope-francis-first-decade/ |access-date=9 March 2023 |work=Fordham Newsroom |date=8 March 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309164135/https://news.fordham.edu/living-the-mission/fordham-experts-weigh-in-on-pope-francis-first-decade/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many media reported him as being the first non-European pope, but he is actually the 11th; the previous was ] from Syria, who died in 741. Moreover, although Francis was not born in Europe, he is ]; his father and maternal grandparents were from northern Italy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/13/sorry-jorge-mario-bergoglio-is-not-the-first-non-european-pope/|title=Sorry, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is not the first non-European pope|last=Fisher|first=Max|date=13 March 2013|newspaper=]|access-date=8 June 2015|archive-date=15 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615144215/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/13/sorry-jorge-mario-bergoglio-is-not-the-first-non-european-pope/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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".<ref name="nofrills">, CBS News, 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316|title=Pope Francis wants a 'poor Church for the poor'|date=16 March 2013|work=]|access-date=16 March 2013|archive-date=26 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226013425/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, he visited Cardinal ] in the hospital and chatted with patients and staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/retired-argentine-cardinal-heart-attack/comments?type=story&id=18736841|title=Pope visits ailing Argentine cardinal in hospital|publisher=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316062247/http://abcnews.go.com/International/retired-argentine-cardinal-heart-attack/comments?type=story&id=18736841|archive-date=16 March 2013|access-date=9 May 2014}}</ref> 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 "ow I would like a poor Church, and for the poor".<ref name=PapalName />

In addition to his ] 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 ] of the Holy See),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/13/new-pope-thirteen-key-facts|title=Pope Francis: 13 key facts about the new pontiff|date=13 March 2013|work=]|location=London|access-date=13 March 2013|archive-date=17 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317120117/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/13/new-pope-thirteen-key-facts|url-status=live}}</ref> French,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.va/it/news/briefing-di-padre-lombardi|title=Briefing di padre Lombardi|date=14 March 2013|publisher=The Vatican Today|access-date=14 March 2013|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018142947/http://www.news.va/it/news/briefing-di-padre-lombardi|url-status=dead}}</ref> Portuguese,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.corriere.it/cronache/13_marzo_14/papa-francesco-primo-giorno_9d687672-8c78-11e2-ab2c-711cc67f5f67.shtml|title=Francis and those humble gestures by the Pope, he does not sit on a throne, paying the bill at the hotel|date=14 March 2013|publisher=Corriere Della Sera|language=it|access-date=1 April 2013|archive-date=31 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331184311/http://www.corriere.it/cronache/13_marzo_14/papa-francesco-primo-giorno_9d687672-8c78-11e2-ab2c-711cc67f5f67.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> and English,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-first-day|title=Pope Francis, first day after election|date=14 March 2013|newspaper=]|location=London|author1=Peter Walker|author2=Paul Owen|author3=David Batty|name-list-style=amp|access-date=19 March 2013|archive-date=27 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627230237/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-first-day|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="languages">Willey, David, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014121611/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21986185 |date=14 October 2018 }}, BBC News, 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013</ref> and he understands the ] and some ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301486.htm|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20130402184851/http%3A//www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301486.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2013|title=Can't chant, can't speak English? Pope says it's because he's tone-deaf|last=Glatz|first=Carol|date=2 April 2013|publisher=Catholic News Service|access-date=15 September 2013}}</ref>

Francis chose not to live in the official ] in the ], but to remain in the ], in a suite in which he can receive visitors and hold meetings. He is the first pope since ] to live outside the papal apartments.<ref name="Vatican guesthouse">{{cite web|url=http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments|title=Pope Francis to live in Vatican guesthouse, not papal apartments|last=Wooden|first=Cindy|date=26 March 2013|access-date=26 March 2013|work=]|archive-date=29 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329080857/http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments|url-status=live}}</ref> Francis still appears at the window of the Apostolic Palace for the Sunday ].<ref name="guesthouse">Speciale, Alessandro, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511074129/http://www.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 2013</ref>

As 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)."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jesuits.org/stories/five-years-later-changes-under-pope-francis-are-revealing-his-jesuit-dna/ |title=Five Years Later Changes under Pope Francis are Revealing his Jesuit DNA |first=William |last=Bole |date=5 March 2018 |website=jesuits.org |access-date=27 September 2022 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811001454/https://www.jesuits.org/stories/five-years-later-changes-under-pope-francis-are-revealing-his-jesuit-dna/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 13 December 2023, in an interview with Mexican broadcaster ], Francis said that his "]" was to the ] icon at the ] in Rome. Francis also told the news outlet that ] was already prepared at the basilica near the icon. Francis will be the first pope since ] to be buried outside the Vatican.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 December 2023 |title=The pope says he wants to be buried in the Rome basilica, not in the Vatican |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-basilica-burial-argentina-ba9dc3ccbf4210df16e64d4032451671 |access-date=13 December 2023 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=21 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221181507/https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-basilica-burial-argentina-ba9dc3ccbf4210df16e64d4032451671 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Election===
{{Main|2013 papal conclave|Papal inauguration of Pope Francis}}
]

Bergoglio was elected pope on 13 March 2013,<ref name="directory" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/index_sp.htm |title=FRANCISCUS |date=13 March 2013 |publisher=Holy See |quote=Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam: Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Georgium MariumSanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315203915/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/index_sp.htm |archive-date=15 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope|title=Habemus Papam! Cardinal Bergoglio Elected Pope Francis|publisher=Official Vatican Network|access-date=14 March 2013|archive-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316043440/http://www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope|url-status=dead}}</ref> the second day of the ], taking the ] Francis.<ref name="directory" /><ref name="cnbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2013/03/13/cardinal-bergoglio-of-argentina-named-as-new-pope.html|title=Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina Named as New Pope of the Roman Catholic Church|date=13 March 2013|publisher=]|access-date=13 March 2013|archive-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730114209/http://www.cnbc.com/id/100538976|url-status=live}}</ref> Francis was elected on the fifth ballot of the conclave.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.catholicsun.org/2013/03/13/white-smoke-cardinals-elect-new-pope-on-fifth-ballot/|title=White smoke: Cardinals elect new pope on fifth ballot|date=13 March 2013|publisher=The Catholic Sun|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=17 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517150203/http://www.catholicsun.org/2013/03/13/white-smoke-cardinals-elect-new-pope-on-fifth-ballot/|url-status=live}}</ref> The '']'' announcement was delivered by the ], ].<ref name="SuarezPBS">{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/03/a-new-pope-and-maybe-a-new-era.html|title=A New Pope, and Maybe a New Era|last=Suarez|first=Ray|publisher=]|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=21 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121190305/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/03/a-new-pope-and-maybe-a-new-era.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cardinal ] 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".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10056994/Pope-Francis-elected-after-supernatural-signs-in-the-Conclave-Cardinal.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515045005/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10056994/Pope-Francis-elected-after-supernatural-signs-in-the-Conclave-Cardinal.html|archive-date=15 May 2013|url-access=subscription|via=Gale OneFile: News|access-date=17 October 2023|title=Pope Francis elected after supernatural 'signs' in the Conclave, says Cardinal|last=Bingham|first=John|date=14 May 2013|newspaper=]|location=London}}</ref>

Instead of accepting his cardinals' congratulations while seated on the ], Francis received them standing, reportedly an immediate sign of a changing approach to formalities at the Vatican.<ref name="NewEuropeHabemus">{{cite news|url=http://www.neurope.eu/article/habemus-papam-new-pope-new-lifestyle-vatican|title=Habemus Papam: New Pope, new lifestyle in the Vatican|date=15 March 2013|work=New Europe|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317034759/http://www.neurope.eu/article/habemus-papam-new-pope-new-lifestyle-vatican|archive-date=17 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> During his first appearance as pontiff on the balcony of ], he wore a white ], not the red, ermine-trimmed ]<ref name=NewEuropeHabemus /><ref name="Uebbing">{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/26793/pope-francis-personality-begins-to-change-routines|title=Pope Francis' personality begins to change routines|last=Uebbing|first=David|agency=Catholic News Agency|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=17 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317100134/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-personality-begins-to-change-routines/|url-status=live}}</ref> used by previous popes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dieter-philippi.de/en/ecclesiastical-fineries/the-mozzetta-of-the-pope|title=The Mozzetta of the Pope|last=Philippi|first=Dieter|publisher=Philippi Collection|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=20 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120042532/http://www.dieter-philippi.de/en/ecclesiastical-fineries/the-mozzetta-of-the-pope|url-status=live}}</ref> He also wore the same iron ] that he had worn as archbishop of Buenos Aires, rather than the gold one worn by his predecessors.<ref name=Uebbing />

After being elected and choosing his name, his first act was bestowing the '']'' blessing on thousands of pilgrims gathered in ]. 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".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/pope-francis-blessing-idINDEE92C0FE20130313|title=Pope Francis delivers first blessing, asks world for prayers|date=14 March 2013|work=]|access-date=19 March 2013|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110202839/http://in.reuters.com/article/pope-francis-blessing-idINDEE92C0FE20130313|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Francis held his ] on 19 March 2013 in ] in the Vatican.<ref name="directory" /> He celebrated Mass in the presence of various political and religious leaders from around the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21839069|title=Pope Francis in plea for poor as inauguration Mass held|date=19 March 2013|work=]|access-date=21 March 2013|archive-date=21 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321153132/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21839069|url-status=live}}</ref> In his homily Francis focused on the ], the liturgical day on which the Mass was celebrated.<ref>{{cite web|author=Pope Francis|url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontificato_en.html|title=Homily of Pope Francis|date=19 March 2013|publisher=Holy See|access-date=23 March 2013|archive-date=22 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322054014/http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontificato_en.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Name===
], two months after his election]]

At his first audience on 16 March 2013, Francis told journalists that he had chosen the name in honour of ], and had done so because he was especially concerned for the well-being of the poor.<ref name="The Guardian-2013a" /><ref name="Vatican Today-2013" /><ref>Michael Martinez, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008012331/https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/13/world/pope-name/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |date=8 October 2020 }}, ] (13 March 2013). Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref> 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 ] had embraced him and whispered, "Don't forget the poor", which had made Bergoglio think of the saint.<ref>{{cite news | first1 = Laura |last1 = Smith-Spark | first2= Hada | last2= Messia | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 | url-status = live | archive-date= 17 March 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130317035923/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 | title = Pope Francis explains name, calls for church 'for the poor' | publisher = CNN | date= 16 March 2013 | access-date = 7 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21812545|title=Pope Francis wants 'poor Church for the poor'|date=16 March 2013|work=]|access-date=16 March 2013|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204142721/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21812545|url-status=live}}</ref> 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."<ref name="bethune">Bethune, Brian, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803171059/http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/03/26/man-of-the-people-2/ |date=3 August 2013 }}, ''Maclean's'', 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013</ref>

This 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 ] is used for him. A Vatican spokesman said that the name would become Francis I if and when there is a Francis II.<ref name="Vatican Today-2013" /><ref name="Vatican: It's Pope Francis, not Pope Francis I" /> It is the first time since ]'s 913–914 pontificate that a serving pope holds a name not used by a predecessor.{{efn|], elected in 1978, took a new combination of already used names, in honour of his two immediate predecessors, ] and ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Knowles|first=Leo|title=Modern Heroes of the Church|year=2003|publisher=Our Sunday Visitor Publishing|location=Huntington, IN|isbn=978-1-931709-46-0|page=115|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6p1ktAEACAAJ}}</ref> }}

Francis also said that some cardinal electors had jokingly suggested to him that he should choose either "Adrian", since ] had been a reformer of the church, or "Clement" to settle the score with ], who had ].<ref name="PapalName"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402220159/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/march/documents/papa-francesco_20130316_rappresentanti-media_en.html |date=2 April 2014 }}&nbsp;– ]&nbsp;– ] Saturday, 16 March 2013</ref><ref>Marco R. della Cava, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825194800/https://www.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.</ref> 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 ]. It was said that he told Cardinal ]: "John, I would have called myself John, like the Good Pope; I would have been completely inspired by him."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-once-thought-taking-name-john-after-pope-john-xxiii|title=Francis once thought of taking the name John, after Pope John XXIII|date=11 February 2014|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=26 May 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305070944/http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-once-thought-taking-name-john-after-pope-john-xxiii|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Curia===
]

On 16 March 2013, Francis asked all those in senior positions of the ] to provisionally continue in office.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-drops-first-hint-reform-may-be-real|title=Francis drops first hint that reform may be real|last=Allen|first=John L. Jr.|date=16 March 2013|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-date=19 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319014326/http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-drops-first-hint-reform-may-be-real|url-status=live}}</ref> He named ] as his personal secretary.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Gozitan-Mons-Alfred-Xuereb-appointed-Pope-Francis-secretary-20130318|title=Gozitan Mgr Alfred Xuereb appointed Pope's official secretary|last=Stagno-Navarra|first=Karl|date=18 March 2013|publisher=Malta Today|access-date=21 March 2013|archive-date=21 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321001926/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Gozitan-Mons-Alfred-Xuereb-appointed-Pope-Francis-secretary-20130318|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 April he named ] as secretary for the ], a position that had been vacant for several months.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-appoints-franciscan-religious-congregation|title=Pope appoints Franciscan to religious congregation|last=McElwee|first=Joshua J.|date=6 April 2013|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=7 April 2013|archive-date=7 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007163804/http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-appoints-franciscan-religious-congregation|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/04/19/Pope-scraps-Vatican-staff-bonuses-directs-money-to-charity/UPI-14541366354800/|title=Pope scraps Vatican staff bonuses, directs money to charity|date=19 April 2013|work=United Press International|access-date=21 April 2013|archive-date=21 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421152338/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/04/19/Pope-scraps-Vatican-staff-bonuses-directs-money-to-charity/UPI-14541366354800/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also abolished the €25,000 annual bonus paid to the cardinals serving on the Board of Supervisors for the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=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|title=Ior: Cuts to the cardinals' "earnings"|last=Galeazi|first=Giacomo|date=19 April 2013|publisher=Las Stampa: Vatican Insider|access-date=21 April 2013|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://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|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 13 April 2013, he named eight cardinals to a new ] 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-taps-eight-cardinals-lead-reform|title=Pope taps eight cardinals to lead reform|last=Allen|first=John L. Jr.|date=13 April 2013|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=14 April 2013|archive-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902010024/http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-taps-eight-cardinals-lead-reform|url-status=dead}}</ref> They are ], president of the ]; ] from Chile; ] from India; ] from Germany; ] from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; ] from Australia; ] from the United States; and ] from Honduras. He appointed Bishop ] secretary for the group and scheduled its first meeting for 1–3 October.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francis-francisco-24044/|title=Pope Francis sets up a group of eight cardinals to advise him|last=O'Connell|first=Gerard|date=13 April 2013|publisher=La Stampa: Vatican Insider|access-date=13 April 2013|archive-date=15 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415015644/http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francis-francisco-24044/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Early issues===
In March 2013, 21 British Catholic ] and ] from all ] 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 ] of 20 June 1980 or the 2009 ], but married Catholic men cannot do the same.<ref name="teahan">Teahan, Madeleine, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402203035/http://www.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 2013</ref>

], the ], included a call in his 2013 Easter homily for the pope to visit ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402152354/http://www.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</ref> ], the ], asked the pope to visit the "embattled Christian community" in Iraq.<ref name="iraq"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520185754/http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=17405 |date=20 May 2013 }}, catholicculture.org, 22 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bibbo|first=Barbara|title=Pope arrives in Baghdad for the first ever papal visit to Iraq|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/4/pope-francis-embarks-on-historic-visit-to-iraq|access-date=5 March 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|publisher=]|language=en|archive-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327085854/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/4/pope-francis-embarks-on-historic-visit-to-iraq|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the first ] 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 ] is a sign that he is at their service.<ref name="muslimfeetwashing">Speciale, Alessandro, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818110121/https://www.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</ref> This was the first time that a pope had included women in this ritual; although he had already done so when he was archbishop.<ref name="muslimfeetwashing" /> One of the male and one of the female prisoners were ].<ref name="muslimfeetwashing" />

On 31 March 2013, Francis used his first ] to make a plea for peace throughout the world, specifically mentioning the Middle East, Africa, and North and South Korea.<ref name="eastersermon">Lymon, Eric J., {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018142711/https://www.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</ref> 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.<ref name="eastersermon" /> He said that "e ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace."<ref name="risenjesus"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014121611/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21986185 |date=14 October 2018 }}, BBC News, 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013</ref> In 2019, he stated that ] was a sin and should be made "a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised as such by the international community".<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 September 2020 |title=Pope Supports Classifying 'Ecocide' as an International Crime |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/pope-supports-classifying-ecocide-as-an-international-crime/ |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=National Review |language=en-US |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616130655/https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/pope-supports-classifying-ecocide-as-an-international-crime/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 September 2020 |title=This movement wants to make harming the planet an international crime |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/climate-academy/2020/sep/16/ecocide-environment-destruction-international-crime |access-date=16 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616130655/https://www.theguardian.com/climate-academy/2020/sep/16/ecocide-environment-destruction-international-crime |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2019 |title=Pope Francis: Catechism will be updated to define ecological sins |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/11/15/pope-francis-catechism-will-be-updated-define-ecological-sins |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=America Magazine |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616130654/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/11/15/pope-francis-catechism-will-be-updated-define-ecological-sins |url-status=live }}</ref>

Although the Vatican had prepared greetings in 65 languages, Francis chose not to read them.<ref name="languages" /> According to the Vatican, the pope "at least for now, feels at ease using Italian, the everyday language of the Holy See".<ref>, Los Angeles Times (from AP), 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013</ref>

], Ecuador, 6 July 2015.]]

In 2013, Francis initially reaffirmed the ]'s programme to ],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/27002/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference|title=Pope backs reform of US sisters' leadership conference|last=Uebbing|first=David|date=15 April 2013|agency=Catholic News Agency|access-date=19 April 2013|archive-date=18 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418021114/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/|url-status=live}}</ref> initiated under his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. '']'' reported that the Vatican had formed the opinion in 2012 that the ]' 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/pope-upholds-reprimand-of-nuns-group.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419022016/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/pope-upholds-reprimand-of-nuns-group.html |archive-date=19 April 2013 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Pope Upholds Reprimand of American Nuns' Group|last=Goodstein|first=Laurie|date=15 April 2013|newspaper=]|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/27002/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference|title=David Uebbing, "Pope backs reform of US sisters' leadership conference", Catholic News Agency, 15 April 2013|agency=Catholic News Agency|access-date=23 June 2013|archive-date=22 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622053426/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2015 the investigation was brought to a close. While the timing of the closure may have anticipated ] in September 2015, it was noted that the sisters' emphasis is close to that of Francis.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526031044/https://www.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 2015</ref>

On 12 May, Francis carried out his first ]s of candidates approved for sainthood during the reign of Benedict XVI: the first Colombian saint, ], the second female Mexican saint, ], both of the 20th century, and the 813 15th-century ]. 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."<ref name="Al Jazeera-2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/05/201351212314711566.html|title=Francis canonises first saints of his papacy|date=12 May 2013|publisher=]|access-date=12 May 2013|archive-date=13 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513014907/http://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/05/201351212314711566.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Synodal church===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Decentralization}}

Francis has overseen synods on ] (2014), on ] (2018), and on the church in the ] (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.<ref name="sept18">{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/39398/pope-francis-approves-new-constitution-for-synod-of-bishops|title=Pope Francis approves new constitution for Synod of Bishops|last=Brockhaus|first=Hannah|date=18 September 2018|access-date=21 May 2019|agency=Catholic News Agency|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305075140/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-approves-new-constitution-for-synod-of-bishops-79689|url-status=live}}</ref> Some analysts see the creation of a truly synodal church as likely to become the greatest contribution of Francis's papacy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Charlotte |date=2 February 2020 |title=Pope Francis, everyman pontiff: Profile |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/pope-francis-everyman-pontiff-profile-200101104012522.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003053120/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/2/2/pope-francis-everyman-pontiff-profile |archive-date=3 October 2020 |access-date=5 February 2020 |publisher=]}}</ref>

On 4 October 2023, Francis convened the beginnings of the ] (the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops). This synod is described as the culmination of his papacy and the most important event in the Church since the ].<ref name="Horowitz-2023" /><ref name="Horowitz-2023a" />

===Consultation with Catholic laity===
], Ecuador, 2015|left]]

A February 2014 survey by the ] cited in '']'' and '']'' 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://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=Pope Francis faces church divided over doctrine, global poll of Catholics finds|last=Boorstein|first=Michelle|date=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|access-date=4 October 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006121938/http://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|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://world.time.com/2014/02/09/poll-catholic-beliefs-at-odds-with-vatican-doctrine/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209223758/http://world.time.com/2014/02/09/poll-catholic-beliefs-at-odds-with-vatican-doctrine/|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 February 2014|title=Poll: Catholic Beliefs at Odds With Vatican Doctrine|last=Frizell|first=Sam|date=9 February 2014|magazine=]|access-date=4 October 2014}}</ref> In the same month Francis asked parishes to provide answers to an official questionnaire<ref>. Includes questionnaire to be circulated to Churches.</ref> described as a "much broader consultation than just a survey"<ref name="bbc27060172">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27060172|title=Roman Catholic Church refuses survey request|date=17 April 2014|work=]|access-date=4 October 2014|archive-date=25 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825154410/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27060172|url-status=live}}</ref> regarding opinions among the laity. He continued to assert ], in less dramatic tone than his recent predecessors, who maintained that the Catholic Church is not a democracy of popular opinion.<ref name="Clement">{{cite web|url=http://news.gnom.es/news/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds|title=Pope Francis faces church divided over doctrine, global poll of Catholics finds|last=Clement|first=Scott|date=23 February 2014|publisher=National News Service|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223020300/http://news.gnom.es/news/pope-francis-faces-church-divided-over-doctrine-global-poll-of-catholics-finds|archive-date=23 February 2014|access-date=26 May 2015}}</ref>

] of ] 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 ] there. Nonetheless, she suspected the survey might be influential.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/7408/new_poll___faithful_catholics__an_endangered_species|title=New Poll: 'Faithful Catholics' an Endangered Species|date=12 December 2013|publisher=University of Southern California|access-date=4 October 2014|archive-date=3 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603173438/http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/7408/new_poll___faithful_catholics__an_endangered_species|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ] {{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 ] and ], published summaries of the responses to the survey, which showed a wide gap between church teaching and the behaviour of ordinary Catholics.<ref name="bbc27060172" />

In a column he wrote for the Vatican's semi-official newspaper '']'', the then-Prefect of the ], American cardinal ], who has a long-standing reputation as one of the church's most vocal conservative hard-liners, said that Francis opposed both abortion and ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://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=U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke: Pope Francis opposes abortion and gay marriage|last=Gibson|first=David|date=21 February 2014|newspaper=]|access-date=28 May 2015|archive-date=28 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528183118/http://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|url-status=live}}</ref> The Vatican's chief spokesman, Father ], also noted in the Vatican press office during the 2014 consistory meetings that Francis and Cardinal ] would not change or redefine any dogmas pertaining to church theology on doctrinal matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romereports.com/pg155838-lombardi-no-cardinal-believes-in-changing-church-doctrine-en|title=Lombardi: No cardinal believes in changing Church doctrine|publisher=Rome Reports|access-date=24 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301012319/http://www.romereports.com/pg155838-lombardi-no-cardinal-believes-in-changing-church-doctrine-en|archive-date=1 March 2014}}</ref>

===Institute for the Works of Religion===
In the first months of Francis's papacy, the ], informally known as the Vatican Bank, said that it would become more transparent in its financial dealings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201351616303447140.html|title=Pope Francis condemns global 'cult of money'|date=16 May 2013|publisher=]|access-date=28 May 2015|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403022453/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201351616303447140.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There had long been allegations of corruption and ] connected with the bank.<ref name="bank1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/26/vatican-bank-pope-francis-commission|title=Vatican bank faces review by Pope Francis commission|last=Davies|first=Lizzy|date=26 June 2013|newspaper=]|access-date=26 May 2015|archive-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618125252/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/26/vatican-bank-pope-francis-commission|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bank2">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23094320|title=Monsignor Nunzio Scarano held in Vatican bank inquiry|last=Willey|first=David|date=28 June 2013|work=]|access-date=18 July 2013|archive-date=18 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718183525/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23094320|url-status=live}}</ref> Francis appointed a commission to advise him about reform of the Bank,<ref name=bank1 /><ref name=bank2 /> and the finance consulting firm ] was assigned to carry out a comprehensive investigation of all customer contacts of the bank on these facts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/update-on-the-case-of-mons-nunzio-scarano|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528181035/http://www.news.va/en/news/update-on-the-case-of-mons-nunzio-scarano|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 May 2015|title=Update on the case of Mons. Nunzio Scarano|date=12 July 2013|series=Justice and Peace|publisher=Vatican Radio|access-date=6 August 2013}}</ref> Because of this affair the ] at the ] applied a ] for the first time in the history of the Republic of Italy at the beginning of August 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/08/03/monsignor_scarano:_vatican_forwards_request_to_italy/in2-716914|title=Monsignor Scarano: Vatican forwards request to Italy|date=3 August 2013|series=Justice and Peace|publisher=Vatican Radio|access-date=6 August 2013|archive-date=10 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310115026/http://www.radiovaticana.va/page404.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-replaces-cardinals-serving-vatican-bank-oversight-commission|title=Pope replaces cardinals serving on Vatican bank oversight commission|last=Glatz|first=Carol|date=15 January 2014|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=18 January 2014|archive-date=3 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203214920/http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-replaces-cardinals-serving-vatican-bank-oversight-commission|url-status=live}}</ref> Lay experts and clerics were looking into how the bank was run. ] was put in charge. ] feels more reform is needed, and Francis may be willing to close the bank if the reforms prove too difficult.<ref name="Jones">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/pope-francis-report-card|title=12 months a pope: Francis's report card after a year at the top|last=Davies|first=Lizzy|work=]|date=13 March 2014|access-date=4 October 2014|archive-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016184725/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/pope-francis-report-card|url-status=live}}</ref> There is uncertainty how far reforms can succeed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/13/can-pope-francis-clean-up-gods-bank|title=Can Pope Francis clean up God's bank?|last=Vallely|first=Paul|work=]|date=13 August 2015|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022023400/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/13/can-pope-francis-clean-up-gods-bank|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Papal documents===
On 29 June 2013, Francis published the ] '']'', which was largely the work of Benedict XVI but awaiting a final draft at his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei.html|title=Lumen Fidei (29 June 2013)|author=Francis|website=w2.vatican.va|access-date=25 September 2019|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115115142/http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 24 November 2013, Francis published his first major letter as pope, the ] '']'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html |title=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 |work=] |access-date=26 December 2019 |archive-date=11 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811092426/http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html |url-status=live }}</ref> which he described as the programmatic of his papacy.<ref name="National Catholic Reporter-2013">{{cite web|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/evangelii-gaudium-amounts-francis-i-have-dream-speech|title='Evangelii Gaudium' amounts to Francis' 'I Have a Dream' speech|date=26 November 2013|website=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=25 September 2019|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925121644/https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/evangelii-gaudium-amounts-francis-i-have-dream-speech|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 June 2015, he published his first own, original encyclical '']'' concerning care for the planet.<ref>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.</ref> On 8 April 2016, Francis published his second apostolic exhortation, '']'',<ref name="Amoris laetitia">Pope Francis (8 April 2016), {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114152915/http://www.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.</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2016/11/14/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/four-cardinals-openly-challenge-francis-over-amoris-laetitia-62np8ZYXQkeXyBamk0M0jP/pagina.html|title=Four cardinals openly challenge Francis over 'Amoris Laetitia'|last=McElwee|first=Josh|date=14 November 2016|work=Vatican Insider|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-date=30 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930212430/http://www.lastampa.it/2016/11/14/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/four-cardinals-openly-challenge-francis-over-amoris-laetitia-62np8ZYXQkeXyBamk0M0jP/pagina.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

His ] include ''Ai nostri tempi'' and ''De concordia inter codices''. Francis issued another titled '']'' which created a new path toward canonization for certain causes.

Francis established two new Secretariats (top-level departments) in the Roman Curia: the ], and the ]. He ] the process for declaring ].<ref name=trials />

On 8 December 2017, Francis signed a new apostolic constitution on ecclesiastical universities and faculties '']'', published 29 January 2018.<ref>, Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 29 January 2018.</ref>

A further Apostolic Exhortation, '']'' (''Rejoice and be glad''), was published on 19 March 2018, dealing with "the ] in today's world" for all persons. He counters contemporary versions of the ] and ] ] and describes how Jesus's beatitudes call people to "go against the flow".<ref>Pope Francis, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709164130/https://www.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 2018</ref>

In February 2019, Francis acknowledged that priests and bishops were sexually abusing ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208062100/https://www.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</ref> He addressed this and the ] by convening a summit on clergy sexual abuse in Rome 21–24 February 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title='A Life Destroyed': Survivors And Pope Address Clergy Sex Abuse at Vatican Summit|website=]|date=21 February 2019|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/02/21/696723194/a-life-destroyed-survivors-and-pope-at-vatican-summit-address-clergy-sex-abuse|access-date=25 September 2019|last1=Held|first1=Amy|last2=Poggioli|first2=Sylvia|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://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|url-status=live}}</ref> As a follow-up to that summit, on 9 May 2019 Francis ] the '']'' '']'' which specified responsibilities, including reporting directly to the ] on bishops and on one's superior, while simultaneously involving another bishop in the ] of the accused bishop.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pope Francis Signs Motu Proprio to Prevent and Denounce Abuses in the Catholic Church|url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-signs-motu-proprio-to-prevent-and-denounce-abuses-in-the-catholic-church|access-date=3 October 2020|website=NCR|date=9 May 2019|language=en|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107224948/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-signs-motu-proprio-to-prevent-and-denounce-abuses-in-the-catholic-church|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 30 September 2020, he published the apostolic letter '']'' to celebrate the 16th centenary of the death of ].<ref>{{cite web|date=30 September 2020|title=New Apostolic Letter highlights St Jerome's love of Scripture|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-09/new-apostolic-letter-highlights-st-jerome-s-love-of-scripture.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Vatican News|language=en|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://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|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Esteves|first=Junno Arocho|date=30 September 2020|title=Pope releases apostolic letter on Sacred Scripture|url=https://www.catholicnews.com/pope-releases-apostolic-letter-on-sacred-scripture/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001234533/https://www.catholicnews.com/pope-releases-apostolic-letter-on-sacred-scripture/|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2020|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Catholic News Service|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 4 October 2020, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Francis published the encyclical '']'' on fraternity and social friendship, using St. Francis's own words to describe our universal brotherhood and sisterhood.<ref name="Pentin-2020">{{cite web|last=Pentin|first=Edward|date=4 October 2020|title=Pope's New Encyclical 'Fratelli Tutti' Outlines Vision for a Better World|url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world|access-date=6 October 2020|website=]|language=en|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005111314/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 8 December 2020, on the Feast of the ], Pope Francis published the ] ''Patris corde'' ("With a Father's Heart").<ref>{{cite web|title=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)|author=Francis|url=http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html|access-date=14 March 2021|website=www.vatican.va|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210115314/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 ] as ] of the ].<ref>{{cite web|date=8 December 2020|title=Pope Francis proclaims "Year of St Joseph" – Vatican News|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html|access-date=14 March 2021|website=www.vaticannews.va|language=en|archive-date=21 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021081135/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 June 2021, Francis published the apostolic constitution '']''. The document reformed Vatican penal law by strengthening the penalties for sexual abuse and financial crimes; it also more harshly punishing the ordination of women.<ref name=Giangravé>{{cite news|author=Claire Giangravé|agency=]|url=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 |title=Pope Francis issues long-awaited reform of Vatican penal law|newspaper=]|access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://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 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Francis issued the ''motu proprio'' '']'' on 16 July 2021. The document abrogated the permissions for the celebration of the ] previously established by Benedict XVI in the 2007 '']'', with ''Traditionis custodes'' instituting increased restrictions on the use of the 1962 ]. Pope Francis stated in a letter accompanying the ''motu proprio'' that emphasizing the ] would bring "unity I intend to re-establish throughout the Church of the Roman Rite".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2021/07/16/0469/01015.html#ingL|title=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|author=Pope Francis|date=16 July 2021|access-date=17 July 2021|location=]|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717000601/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2021/07/16/0469/01015.html#ingL|url-status=live}}</ref> On 11 February, Pope Francis met with two priests from the ] (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.<ref>{{cite web |title=FSSP says Pope Francis has issued decree confirming its use of 1962 liturgical books |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250438/fssp-says-pope-francis-has-issued-decree-confirming-its-use-of-1962-liturgical-books |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://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 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue===
{{Main|Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue of Pope Francis}}
]

Pope Francis upheld the Second Vatican Council's tradition by promoting ] with other ], encouraging dialogue with other religions, and supporting peace with secular individuals.

===Clerical titles===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Clericalism}}

In January 2014, Francis said that he would appoint fewer ]s and only assign those honoured to the lowest of the three surviving ranks of monsignor, ]. It would be awarded only to ]s 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, although he did not apply this restriction to clergy working in the Roman Curia or diplomatic corps, where careerism is an even greater concern.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/31027/|title=Pope abolishes honorary title of monsignor for diocesan priests under the age of 65|last=O'Connell|first=Gerard|date=4 January 2014|publisher=Vatican Insider|access-date=4 January 2014|archive-date=4 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212828/http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/31027/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Canonizations and beatifications===
{{Main|List of saints canonized by Pope Francis|List of people beatified by Pope Francis|List of people declared venerable by Pope Francis}}
] on 27 April 2014]]

Francis presided over the first canonizations of his pontificate on 12 May 2013 in which he canonized the ]. Antonio Primaldo and his 812 companions who had been ] in 1480,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-02-11/papa-lascia-pontificato-febbraiio-114943.shtml?uuid=Abm8RITH|title=L'addio di papa Ratzinger: "Lascio per il bene della Chiesa". Il fratello Georg: "Lo sapevo da mesi"|website=Il Sole 24 ORE|access-date=27 August 2018|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222222141/http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-02-11/papa-lascia-pontificato-febbraiio-114943.shtml?uuid=Abm8RITH|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the ] ] and ] – in this first canonization he surpassed the ] in canonizing the most saints in a pontificate.<ref name="Al Jazeera-2013"/> Francis approved the ] of ] the following 9 October and then the Jesuit ] the following 17 December.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=20123|title=Vatican cardinal explains why Pope Francis canonized St. Angela of Foligno|publisher=Catholic Culture|date=7 January 2014|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=19 May 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010519103834/http://www.catholicculture.org/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/28657/pope-francis-declares-sainthood-of-early-jesuit-peter-faber|title=Pope Francis declares sainthood of early Jesuit, Peter Faber|agency=Catholic News Agency|date=17 December 2013|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014183732/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-declares-sainthood-of-early-jesuit-peter-faber|url-status=live}}</ref>

The pope approved further equipollent canonizations on 3 April 2014 for the Jesuit ] as well as the ] nun ] and bishop ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicworldreport.com/2014/04/07/pope-francis-canonizes-three-new-saints-of-the-americas/|title=Pope Francis canonizes three new saints of the Americas|publisher=Catholic World Report|date=7 April 2014|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014183004/http://www.catholicworldreport.com/2014/04/07/pope-francis-canonizes-three-new-saints-of-the-americas/|url-status=live}}</ref> Francis canonized his two predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II on 27 April 2014 and canonized six additional saints the following 23 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/27/world/pope-canonization/index.html|publisher=]|title=Sainthood for John Paul II, John XXIII in canonization ceremony|date=27 April 2014|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014183047/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/27/world/pope-canonization/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/pope-declares-sainthood-of-two-indians-four-italians-idUSKCN0J70KT20141124|title=Pope declares sainthood of two Indians, four Italians|date=24 November 2014|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014183708/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/pope-declares-sainthood-of-two-indians-four-italians-idUSKCN0J70KT20141124|url-status=live}}</ref> The pope canonized ] 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 ] to be named as saints.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.lk/fetures/item/5711-canonization-of-saint-joseph-vaz-the-first-sri-lankan-saint|title=Canonization of Saint Joseph Vaz, the first Sri Lankan Saint|publisher=News.lk|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014233758/https://www.news.lk/fetures/item/5711-canonization-of-saint-joseph-vaz-the-first-sri-lankan-saint|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-palestinians-saints/pope-francis-canonizes-two-Palestinian-nuns-idUSKBN0O208420150517|title=Pope Francis canonizes two Palestinian nuns|date=17 May 2015|work=]|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014183831/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-palestinians-saints/pope-francis-canonizes-two-Palestinian-nuns-idUSKBN0O208420150517|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/23/us/pope-junipero-serra-canonization/index.html|title=Pope Francis canonizes controversial saint|publisher=]|date=23 September 2017|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014233718/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/23/us/pope-junipero-serra-canonization/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/10/19/pope-francis-canonises-the-martins/|title=Pope Francis canonises Louis and Zélie Martin|newspaper=Catholic Herald|date=19 October 2015|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014233703/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/10/19/pope-francis-canonises-the-martins/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Francis canonized ] and ] on 5 June 2016 and then canonized ] on 4 September; he canonized seven additional saints on 16 October.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=VOA News|date=5 June 2016|access-date=14 October 2017|title=Pope Proclaims 2 New Saints in Canonization Mass|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pope-new-saints/3362508.html|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014233629/https://www.voanews.com/a/pope-new-saints/3362508.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mother Teresa officially becomes a saint at canonization ceremony in Vatican City|date=5 September 2016|publisher=] Australia|access-date=14 October 2017|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-04/mother-teresa-canonised-at-ceremony-in-st-peters-cathedral/7813048|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018142914/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-04/mother-teresa-canonised-at-ceremony-in-st-peters-cathedral/7813048|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-jose-gabriel-del-rosario-brochero-argentina-gaucho-priest-sainthood/|publisher=]|date=16 October 2016|title=Pope Francis makes Argentina's "gaucho priest" and 6 others saints|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014184414/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-jose-gabriel-del-rosario-brochero-argentina-gaucho-priest-sainthood/|url-status=live}}</ref> The pope canonized the two child visionaries ] during his visit to Fátima in mid-2017 and canonized 35 additional saints on 15 October.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/05/13/pope-francis-makes-history-and-canonizes-jacinta-and-francisco-two-child-saints |work=America Magazine |date=13 May 2017 |author=Gerard O'Connell |title=Pope Francis makes history and canonizes Jacinta and Francisco, two child saints |access-date=23 May 2018 |archive-date=24 May 2018 |archive-url=https://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 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/10/16/pope-canonizes-35-new-saints-including-feminist-priest/|title=Pope canonizes 35 new saints including a 'feminist' priest|access-date=27 October 2017|date=16 October 2017|publisher=Crux|author=Inés San Martín|archive-date=27 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027131024/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/10/16/pope-canonizes-35-new-saints-including-feminist-priest/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Francis recognized seven saints, including his predecessor Pope Paul VI and ], on 14 October 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/slain-salvadorian-bishop-romero-and-pope-paul-vi-become-saints-idUSKCN1MO098|title=Slain Salvadoran bishop Romero and Pope Paul VI become saints|work=]|author=Philip Pullella|date=14 October 2018|access-date=20 October 2018|archive-date=11 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811001314/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/slain-salvadorian-bishop-romero-and-pope-paul-vi-become-saints-idUSKCN1MO098|url-status=live}}</ref> Francis later confirmed the equipollent canonization for ] in mid-2019.<ref>{{cite web|date=6 July 2019|title=A new saint for the Church and Fulton Sheen soon to be Blessed|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-07/pope-francis-sainthood-beatification-decree-sheen.html|access-date=5 December 2021|website=Vatican News|language=en|archive-date=7 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707121654/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-07/pope-francis-sainthood-beatification-decree-sheen.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 October 2019, Francis canonized five new saints, including Cardinal ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/42528/lead-kindly-light-pope-francis-names-newman-a-saint|title='Lead, kindly light' – Pope Francis names Newman a saint|date=13 October 2019|access-date=13 October 2019|agency=]|author=Courtney Mares|archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013095059/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/lead-kindly-light---pope-francis-names-newman-a-saint-78656|url-status=live}}</ref> The pope confirmed the equipollent canonization for ] on 24 April 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247399/pope-francis-declares-blind-14th-century-lay-dominican-a-saint|title=Pope Francis declares blind 14th-century lay Dominican a saint|publisher=]|date=24 April 2021|accessdate=24 April 2021|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428022818/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247399/pope-francis-declares-blind-14th-century-lay-dominican-a-saint|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 18, 2024, he also canonized the ] by equipolence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261097/pope-francis-declares-french-martyrs-of-compiegne-saints-via-equipollent-canonization|title=Pope Francis declares French Martyrs of Compiègne saints via equipollent canonization|date=18 December 2024|access-date=19 December 2024|agency=]|author=Courtney Mares}}</ref>

The pope has also continued the practice of having beatifications celebrated in the place of the individual's origin, although has presided over beatifications himself on three occasions: for ] on 16 August 2014, his predecessor Pope Paul VI on 19 October 2014, and two Colombian martyrs on 8 September 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28814553|title=Pope beatifies 124 South Korean Catholic martyrs|work=]|date=16 August 2014|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617182007/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28814553|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=]|date=19 October 2014|access-date=14 October 2017|title=Pope Francis Beatifies an Earlier Reformer, Paul VI|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/world/europe/pope-francis-beatifies-pope-paul-vi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019221734/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/world/europe/pope-francis-beatifies-pope-paul-vi.html |archive-date=19 October 2014 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|author=Elisabetta Povoledo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Vatican Radio|access-date=14 October 2017|date=8 September 2017|title=Pope in Colombia at Beatification Mass: 'Reconciliation is not an abstract word'|url=http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/09/08/pope_in_colombia_at_beatification_mass_reconciliation_is_n/1335599|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014183723/http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/09/08/pope_in_colombia_at_beatification_mass_reconciliation_is_n/1335599|url-status=live}}</ref> The pope has approved beatifications for a range of men and women including the likes of ] of ] (27 September 2014), the martyred archbishop Óscar Romero (23 May 2015), the prominent Polish cardinal ] (12 September 2021), and several large groups of ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Oscar Romero beatification draws huge El Salvador crowds|work=]|date=23 May 2015|access-date=14 October 2017|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-32859627|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615054035/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-32859627|url-status=live}}</ref>

Francis also confirmed his predecessor ] to be ] on 8 November 2017,<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Catholic Herald|date=9 November 2017|access-date=10 November 2017|author=Junno Arocho Esteves|title=Pope Francis officially declares John Paul I 'venerable'|url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/11/09/pope-francis-officially-declares-john-paul-i-venerable/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110091738/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/11/09/pope-francis-officially-declares-john-paul-i-venerable/|archive-date=10 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ] on 4 September 2022.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pope Francis beatifies his predecessor John Paul I|work=]|date=4 September 2022|access-date=3 April 2024|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/04/pope-francis-beatifies-john-paul-i}}</ref>

===Doctors of the Church===
Francis declared two new ]: ] as the 36th Doctor of the Church (conferred in 2015 with delegations from the ] and the ] present),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/13/newest_doctor_of_the_church_st_gregory_of_narek/1136368|title=Newest Doctor of the Church: St. Gregory of Narek|date=13 April 2015|publisher=]|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116130801/http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/13/newest_doctor_of_the_church_st_gregory_of_narek/1136368|url-status=live}}</ref> and ] as the 37th Doctor of the Church (conferred in 2022).<ref name=Esteves2022>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/pope-receives-proposal-declare-st-irenaeus-doctor-church|title=Pope declares St. Irenaeus a doctor of the church|publisher=]|author=Junno Arocho Esteves|date=21 January 2022|accessdate=7 February 2022|archive-date=7 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207051050/https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/pope-receives-proposal-declare-st-irenaeus-doctor-church|url-status=live}}</ref> Francis also conferred upon Irenaeus the supplementary title ''Doctor unitatis'' ("Doctor of Unity").<ref name=Esteves2022/>

===Consistories===
{{Main|Cardinals created by Francis}}

As of March 2024, Francis had, over the 11 years of his papacy, created 142 cardinals from 70 nations across nine ].<ref name=Gagliarducci2024>Andrea Gagliarducci, , Catholic News Agency (March 13, 2023).</ref> He held his first consistory in February 2014, a rare occasion in which he publicly appeared with his predecessor, Benedict XVI.<ref name="Reuters" /><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103121944/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26301947 |date=3 January 2019 }}, BBC News, 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014</ref> As of early 2023, the cardinals created by Francis, 113 were under the age of eighty, and thus eligible to vote for the pope at a ].<ref name=Gagliarducci2024/> There were at that point 94 cardinal-electors created by Francis, 27 created by Benedict XVI, and eight created by John Paul II.<ref name=Gagliarducci2024/>

Francis' appointments made the ] less European-dominated.<ref name=Diamant>Jeff Diamant, , Pew Research Center (September 20, 2023).</ref> Of cardinals appointed by Francis, 22 were based in countries that had never before had a cardinal.<ref name=Gagliarducci2024/> In 2023, Europe accounted for 39% of voting-age cardinals (down from 52% in 2013) and North America accounted for 10% of voting-age cardinals (down from 12% in 2013).<ref name=Diamant/> Other regions of the world increased: the ] and ] accounted for 18% of voting-age cardinals (up from 9% and 16%, respectively, in 2013).<ref name=Diamant/> Francis appointed many cardinals from ], including some of the world's poorest, and from countries on the peripheries of the church.<ref name=Reese2023Conclave>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/francis-now-has-cardinals-he-needs-next-conclave-it-enough|title=Francis now has the cardinals he needs for the next conclave. Is it enough?|date=July 18, 2023|author=Thomas Reese|newspaper=National Catholic Register}}</ref> He raised to the cardinalate ] from Haiti and ] from Burkina Faso (in 2014),<ref name="Reuters"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517185940/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-consistory-benedict-idUSBREA1L07X20140222 |date=17 May 2021 }}, Reuters, 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014</ref> ] of Myanmar and ] of Tonga (in 2015),<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113112834/http://www.news.va/en/news/230499 |date=13 November 2017 }}" NEWS.VA Official Vatican Network. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2018.</ref> ] from Bangladesh and ] from the Central African Republic (in 2018).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/28/pope_francis_allocution_at_cardinals_creation_consistory/1321890|title=Pope Francis: Allocution at Consistory for Creation of Cardinals|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205184456/http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/28/pope_francis_allocution_at_cardinals_creation_consistory/1321890|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2020 consistory,<ref name="25October2020">{{cite news|title=Pope announces a consistory for the creation of 13 new cardinals|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/pope-consistory-creation-13-new-cardinals-thirteen.html|access-date=25 October 2020|publisher=Vatican News|date=25 October 2020|archive-date=11 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811001559/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/pope-consistory-creation-13-new-cardinals-thirteen.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the pope appointed the first cardinals from ] and ], as well as the first ] cardinal (]), the first ] in almost 160 years (]), and the first cardinal from ] since 1801 (]).<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 7 November 2020 | url = https://international.la-croix.com/news/letter-from-rome/the-popes-13-new-cardinals-and-the-next-conclave/13266 | work = La Croix | title = The pope's 13 new cardinals and the next conclave | date = 31 October 2020 | first = Robert | last = Mickens | archive-date = 5 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201105183925/https://international.la-croix.com/news/letter-from-rome/the-popes-13-new-cardinals-and-the-next-conclave/13266 | url-status = live }}</ref>

Compared to his predecessors, Francis made fewer appointments of ] officials to the cardinalate. At the 2013 conclave that elected Francis pope, 35% of cardinals were from the Curia; by late 2023, Curia officials made up just under 23% of cardinal-electors.<ref name=Reese2023Conclave/> This was part of a general trend under Francis to a more decentralized church.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/francis-fifth-a-synod-humanae-vitae-milestone-and-more-decentralized-church|title=Francis' Fifth: A Synod, Humanae Vitae Milestone and More Decentralized Church|date=January 10, 2018|author=Edward Pentin|newspaper=]}}</ref> Compared to his predecessor Benedict, who preferred to appoint academically inclined churchmen as cardinal, Francis favoured cardinals with a more pastoral focus,<ref name=Reese2023Conclave/> especially those known for a focus on the poor and marginalized, such as refugees and the homeless.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/en/freed-from-elevator-pope-names-new-cardinals-from-muslim-developing-countries/a-50249080|publisher=]|title=Freed from elevator, pope names new cardinals from Muslim, developing countries|date=1 September 2019|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901220938/https://www.dw.com/en/freed-from-elevator-pope-names-new-cardinals-from-muslim-developing-countries/a-50249080|url-status=live}}</ref> Francis dropped the traditional custom of always appointing the archbishops of certain historically prominent ] (such as the ] and ]) as cardinals.<ref name=Reese2023Conclave/>

===Year of Mercy===
{{Main|Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy}}
], marking the beginning of the ].]]

With his April 2015 ] of indiction, ''Misericordiae Vultus'' (]: "The Face of ]"), Francis inaugurated a Special ] of Mercy, to run from 8 December 2015, ] of the ] of the ], to the last Sunday before ] and the Solemnity of the ] of the Universe on 20 November 2016.

The ]s 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.<ref name="opening" /><ref>{{cite web|title=The Gift Of The Indulgence (29 January 2000)|url=http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html|access-date=6 September 2020|website=www.vatican.va|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716183145/http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 ].<ref name="Misericordiae" /><ref name="time" />

Francis established the ] in his Apostolic Letter, ''Misericordia et Misera'', issued on 20 November 2016 to celebrate the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Day of the Poor|url=http://justiceandpeace.org.au/world-day-of-the-poor/|website=Justice and Peace Office|access-date=18 June 2018|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618175224/http://justiceandpeace.org.au/world-day-of-the-poor/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/card-ranjith-calls-for-prayers-and-practical-action-on-world-day-of-the-poor/39361/1|title=Card Ranjith calls for prayers and practical action on World Day of the Poor|date=30 November 2017|website=Herald Malaysia Online|access-date=18 June 2018|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618152259/http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/card-ranjith-calls-for-prayers-and-practical-action-on-world-day-of-the-poor/39361/1|url-status=live}}</ref>

===COVID-19 pandemic===
{{See also|COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City}}

During the ], Francis cancelled his regular ] at ] to prevent crowds from gathering and spreading the virus, which ].<ref>{{cite news|author=Philip Pullella|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pope/pope-cancels-main-public-appearances-to-stop-crowds-gathering-amid-coronavirus-idUSKBN20U0JH|work=]|date=7 March 2020|title=Pope cancels main public appearances to stop crowds gathering amid coronavirus|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=16 March 2020|archive-url=https://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|url-status=live}}</ref> He encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/pope-tells-priests-to-go-out-and-meet-the-coronavirus-sick|title=Pope tells priests to go out and meet the coronavirus sick|date=10 March 2020|agency=Agence France-Presse|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=11 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311231926/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/pope-tells-priests-to-go-out-and-meet-the-coronavirus-sick|url-status=live}}</ref> urged the faithful not to forget the poor during the time of crisis;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-do-not-forget-the-poor-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic|title=Pope Francis: Do Not Forget the Poor During the Coronavirus Pandemic|website=National Catholic Register|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=10 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114859/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-do-not-forget-the-poor-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic|url-status=live}}</ref> offered prayers for people with the virus in China;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-prays-for-coronavirus-victims-in-china|title=Pope Francis Prays for Coronavirus Victims in China|website=National Catholic Register|date=26 January 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126173844/https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-prays-for-coronavirus-victims-in-china|url-status=live}}</ref> and invoked the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title ], as the ] observed a period of prayer and fasting in recognition of the victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-asks-for-marys-protection-of-rome-against-coronavirus|title=Pope Francis Asks for Mary's Protection of Rome Against Coronavirus|website=National Catholic Register|date=12 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=10 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114957/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-asks-for-marys-protection-of-rome-against-coronavirus|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 ], Francis pleaded "not to leave the ... people alone" and worked to partially reverse the closures.

On 20 March 2020, Francis asked the ] to create a ] 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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=We must think of the aftermath of COVID-19 so we are not unprepared|work=]|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-04/turkson-think-covid19-aftermath-to-not-be-unprepared.html|access-date=14 January 2021|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110140954/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-04/turkson-think-covid19-aftermath-to-not-be-unprepared.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/vatican-covid-19.html|title=Vatican Covid-19 Commission – Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development|website=www.humandevelopment.va|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514022448/https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/vatican-covid-19.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 March, Francis gave an extraordinary benediction '']''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pope Francis to give extraordinary benediction urbi et orbi|url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/199149-2/|access-date=7 September 2020|website=Catholic Herald|date=27 March 2020|language=en-GB|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815144444/https://catholicherald.co.uk/199149-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> In his homily on ] in the ], 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'."<ref>{{cite web|date=27 March 2020|title=Papa Francesco prega nella piazza San Pietro vuota: "Fitte tenebre si sono addensate, scenda la benedizione di Dio"|url=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/|access-date=7 September 2020|website=la Repubblica|language=it|archive-date=26 May 2020|archive-url=https://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/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Francis maintains getting ] 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."<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110132740/https://www.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 }} '']'';;</ref>

In response to the ] created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis stated that now is the time to consider implementing a ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2020 |title=Pope calls for consideration of 'universal basic wage' for unprotected workers - Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/pope-letter-popular-movements-universal-basic-wage.html |access-date=14 May 2022 |website=www.vaticannews.va |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416093058/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/pope-letter-popular-movements-universal-basic-wage.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Death penalty===
Francis has ] to the worldwide abolition of the death penalty in any circumstance.<ref name="Brockhaus-2018">{{Cite web |last=Brockhaus |first=Hannah |date=2 August 2018 |title=Vatican changes Catechism teaching on death penalty, calls it 'inadmissible' |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/39033/vatican-changes-catechism-teaching-on-death-penalty-calls-it-inadmissible |access-date=2 August 2018 |website=] |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802162744/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-changes-catechism-teaching-on-death-penalty-calls-it-inadmissible-28541 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Francis revised the '']'' to read that "in the light of the ]" the death penalty is "inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and ]" and that the Catholic Church "works with determination for its abolition worldwide".<ref name="Brockhaus-2018" /><ref name="Harlan-2018">{{Cite news |last=Harlan |first=Chico |date=2 August 2018 |title=Pope Francis changes Catholic Church teaching to say death penalty is 'inadmissible' |url=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 |access-date=2 August 2018 |newspaper=] |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://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 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In his 2020 encyclical '']'', Francis repeated that the death penalty is "inadmissible" and that "there can be no stepping back from this position".<ref name="Pentin-2020a">{{Cite web |last=Pentin |first=Edward |date=4 October 2020 |title=Pope's New Encyclical 'Fratelli Tutti' Outlines Vision for a Better World |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world |access-date=6 October 2020 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005111314/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world |url-status=live }}</ref>

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".<ref name="Pullella-2023">{{Cite news |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=9 January 2023 |title=Pope condemns Iran's use of death penalty against protesters |language=en |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-wars-like-that-ukraine-are-crime-against-god-humanity-2023-01-09/ |access-date=13 January 2023 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://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/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Role of women===
{{See also|Women in the Catholic Church}}

Francis has categorically rejected the ] as priests.<ref name="Horowitz-2023"/> Early in his papacy, he initiated dialogue on the possibility of ], creating in 2016 a ] to research the role of female deacons in early Christianity.<ref>Daniel Burke and Holly Yan, , CNN (August 2, 2016).</ref> Its report was not made public,<ref name=Dulle>Colleen Dulle, , ''America'' (May 21, 2024).</ref> but Francis said in 2019 that the commission issued a split report and was unable to come to a consensus.<ref name="SplitRpt">Joshua J. McElwee, , ''National Catholic Reporter'' (May 7, 2019).</ref> In April 2020, Francis empaneled a new commission, led by Cardinal ] and with an entirely new membership, to study the issue.<ref>Joshua J. McElwee, , ''National Catholic Reporter'' (April 8, 2022).</ref> Francis delayed a decision on the issue for several years.<ref name="Horowitz-2023"/> In interviews in late 2023 and 2024, he appeared to reject the idea of women deacons, saying that "] is reserved for men."<ref name=CNA2023>{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255804/pope-francis-on-women-deacons-holy-orders-is-reserved-for-men|title=Pope Francis on women deacons: 'Holy orders is reserved for men'|work=]|date=25 October 2023|access-date=25 October 2023|first=Hannah|last=Brockhaus|location=Rome|archive-date=25 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025180217/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255804/pope-francis-on-women-deacons-holy-orders-is-reserved-for-men|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Dulle/> Francis said that "the fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation, because her place is much more important"<ref name=CNA2023/> and that women had a ] separate from "the ministerial way."<ref name=Dulle/>

In January 2021, Francis issued a ], allowing bishops to institute women to the ministries of ] and ]. While these instituted ministries were previously reserved to men, Catholic women already carried out these duties without institution in most of the world. Francis wrote that these ] are fundamentally distinct from those reserved to ordained clergy.<ref>{{cite web|title=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)|author=Francesco|url=http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiritus-domini.html|access-date=11 January 2021|website=www.vatican.va|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111111539/http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiritus-domini.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mares-2021">{{cite web|last=Mares|first=Courtney|date=11 January 2021|title=Pope Francis admits women to ministries of lector and acolyte in new motu proprio|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/246027/pope-francis-admits-women-to-ministries-of-lector-and-acolyte-in-new-motu-proprio|access-date=11 January 2021|website=Catholic News Agency|language=en|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://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|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=11 January 2021|title=Pope Francis: Ministries of lector and acolyte to be open to women|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-opens-ministries-lector-acolyte-women.html|access-date=11 January 2021|website=Vatican News|language=en|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111111255/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-opens-ministries-lector-acolyte-women.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, Francis appointed women to several positions previously held only by men: a French member of the ], ], was appointed co-undersecretary of the ], and Italian magistrate ] became the first woman Promoter of Justice in the Vatican's Court of Appeals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-appoints-more-women-vatican-posts-previously-held-only-n1256959|title=Pope Francis appoints more women to Vatican posts previously held only by men|access-date=7 February 2021|website=]|date=7 February 2021|archive-date=7 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207143436/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-appoints-more-women-vatican-posts-previously-held-only-n1256959|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2023, Francis announced that 35 women would be allowed to vote at the ] (making up "just over 10 percent" of all voters),<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 26 April 2023 | work = New York Times | date = 26 April 2023 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/pope-women-vote-bishops-meeting.html | title = Pope Will Allow Women to Vote at Meeting of Bishops | first = Elisabetta | last = Povoledo | archive-date = 26 April 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230426132515/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/pope-women-vote-bishops-meeting.html | url-status = live }}</ref> marking the first time women are allowed to vote at any Catholic Synod of Bishops.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-allows-women-vote-bishops-meeting-first-time-2023-04-26/|title=Pope allows women to vote at bishops meeting for first time|first=Philip|last=Pullella|work=Reuters|date=26 April 2023|via=www.reuters.com|access-date=7 October 2023|archive-date=4 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004080936/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-allows-women-vote-bishops-meeting-first-time-2023-04-26/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 November 2020|title=Pope shakes up running of Vatican funds after London property scandal|language=en|work=]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-vatican-finances-idUKKBN27L1MO|access-date=18 December 2021|archive-date=4 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204121223/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-vatican-finances-idUKKBN27L1MO|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Apologies toward Indigenous peoples===
Early in 2022, Francis expressed "shame and sorrow" for the Catholic Church's role in abuses against the ] and "the lack of respect" toward indigenous cultures.<ref name=Neuman2022>Scott Neuman, , NPR (July 25, 2022).</ref> Late, in July 2022, Francis ] to ], where he expressed sorrow, indignation, and shame over the church's abuse of Canadian indigenous children in ].<ref name="CNN-2022">{{Cite web |date=25 July 2022 |title=Pope apologizes for 'deplorable evil' of Indigenous abuse in Canadian Catholic residential schools |website=] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/25/americas/pope-francis-canada-speech-intl/index.html |access-date=25 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725213142/https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/25/americas/pope-francis-canada-speech-intl/index.html |archive-date=25 July 2022 }}</ref> Francis described the ]'s role as compromising a "]."<ref name="Horowitz-2022" /> He apologized for the church's role in "projects of cultural destruction" and forced ].<ref name="CNN-2022" /> Near the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School, the site of a search for ], Francis said: "I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples."<ref name=Neuman2022/> He visited the ]'s cemetery at its ] south of ].<ref name=Neuman2022/> Francis promised a serious investigation into the history of abuse.<ref name="CNN-2022" />

===Sexual abuse response===
{{Main|Catholic Church sexual abuse cases}}

In 2010, then-Cardinal Bergoglio commissioned a study which concluded that Father ], 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.<ref name="study"/> However, the ] upheld the conviction and 15-year prison sentence against Grassi in March 2017.<ref name="study">{{Cite news|agency=]|url=https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2018/09/18/popes-role-in-study-of-argentine-sex-abuse-case-draws-fire/|title=Pope's role in study of Argentine sex abuse case draws fire|website=]|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=18 September 2018|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427190340/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2018/09/18/popes-role-in-study-of-argentine-sex-abuse-case-draws-fire/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Early in his papacy, Francis chosen a more lenient sentence for Mauro Inzoli, an Italian priest accused of child sexual abuse.<ref name=Ide2017>Ella Ide, , ''Times of Israel'' (June 28, 2017).</ref> A church tribunal had ruled that Inzoli should be ] (defrocked),<ref name=Pullella2017Admit>{{cite news|first=Philip|last=Pullella|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-abuse/pope-candidly-admits-church-arrived-late-in-confronting-abuse-idUSKCN1BW22D|title=Pope candidly admits Church 'arrived late' in confronting abuse|work=]|date=21 September 2017|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> and he was defrocked in 2012 by Francis's predecessor Benedict.<ref name=Ide2017/> Francis, however, reversed this decision in 2014; Francis agreed with the ] that Inzoli should remain a priest but be removed from public ministry and ordered to retire to "a life of prayer and humble discretion."<ref name=Ide2017/><ref name=Pullella2017Admit/> Izoli was convicted of sexually abusing children in Italian civil court in 2016, and sentenced to prison.<ref name=Ide2017/> In unscripted remarks to the ] in September 2017, Francis admitted that he mishandled the Inzoli case, saying that as a new pope, "I did not understand these things well and chose the more benevolent of the two sentences but after two years the priest had a relapse. I learned from this."<ref name=Pullella2017Admit/> In the same remarks, he that the church "arrived late" in dealing with sexual abuse cases.<ref name=Pullella2017Admit/>

In 2015, Francis was criticized for supporting Chilean bishop ], who was accused of covering up ], including crimes committed against minors.<ref>{{cite news|first=Stephanie|last=Kirchgaessner|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/31/vatican-juan-barros-chile-bishop-appointment-sex-abuse|title=Vatican supports Chilean bishop despite allegations of sex abuse cover-up|newspaper=]|location=London, England|date=31 March 2015|access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref> 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 three Chilean bishops: Barros, ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/06/11/618825779/pope-francis-accepts-resignations-of-3-bishops-over-chilean-abuse-scandal|title=Pope acknowledges 'grave errors' in Chilean sex abuse scandal|first=Bill|last=Chappell|website=]|date=11 June 2018|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, Francis defrocked ], a former ], who maintained a prominent position in the church for decades despite repeated reports of sexual misconduct against him dating back to the 1980s. In 2017, after renewed allegations against McCarrick, Francis commissioned a Vatican investigation, which found that McCarrick had sexually molested both adults and minors.<ref name=WinfieldNov2020>{{cite web|author=Nicole Winfield|title=Vatican faults others for McCarrick's rise, spares Francis|work=Associated Press News|date=November 10, 2020|url=https://apnews.com/article/theodore-mccarrick-vatican-investigation-0204b0d67e0685d658bae71cf558383a}}</ref> In July 2018, McCarrick resigned from the ]; in October 2018, Francis ordered a review of the Church's "institutional knowledge and decision-making" related to McCarrick.<ref name=McCarrickReport>, Prepared by the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, Vatican City State (November 10, 2020).</ref> Francis authorized the release, in November 2020, of the 449-page report of the Vatican's two-year investigation into McCarrick's career, based on a review of documents and interviews with more than 90 people.<ref name=McCarrickReport/><ref name=WinfieldNov2020/> The report largely faulted ], who appointed McCarrick as archbishop in 2000 and accepted the churchman's denials of sexual abuse, despite multiple reports.<ref name=WinfieldNov2020/> The report also found that ] placed informal restrictions on McCarrick, but these were never enforced, and Benedict did not investigate or formally sanction McCarrick even after he disregarded those informal restrictions.<ref name=WinfieldNov2020/> The report concluded that Francis, before 2017, "had heard only that there had been allegations and rumors related to immoral conduct with adults occurring prior to McCarrick's appointment to Washington" and continued the approach of his predecessors John Paul and Benedict.<ref name=WinfieldNov2020/>

Francis convened a four-day summit on sexual abuse in February 2019, organized by ]; some abuse survivors expressed disappointment that the summit did not result in concrete rules on abuse prevention, responses to abuse, and Church cooperation with law enforcement authorities.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Ciara|last=Nugent|url=https://time.com/5540867/pope-francis-sex-abuse-summit-2/|title=Why the Pope's Summit on Abuse Disappointed Some Survivors|magazine=]|date=28 February 2019}}</ref> In December 2019, Francis abolished the "]" privilege in sexual abuse cases, clarifying that bishops do not need authorization from the Vatican to turn over to materials from canonical trials upon request of civil law enforcement authorities.<ref name=Giangravé/><ref name=Chakraborty>{{cite web|author=Barnini Chakraborty|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/pope-francis-pontifical-secret-clergy-sex-abuse|title=Pope Francis lifts 'pontifical secret' in clergy sex abuse cases used to protect pedophiles, silence victims |publisher=]|date=December 17, 2017}}</ref> The liftng of the confidentiality rule was praised by victim advocates, but did not require the Church to affirmatively turn over canonical documents to civil authorities.<ref name=Giangravé/><ref name=Chakraborty/>

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".<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope thanks journalists for helping expose Church sex scandals |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-thanks-journalists-helping-expose-church-sex-scandals-2021-11-13/ |access-date=13 November 2021 |work=]|date=13 November 2021}}</ref>

In November 2022, French Cardinal ] admitted to having sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in the 1980s in ]. Ricard (who was named as cardinal by Benedict XVI in 2006<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=11 November 2022 |title=Vatican to investigate French cardinal who abused 14-year-old girl |language=en |work=]|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/vatican-investigate-french-cardinal-who-abused-14-year-old-girl-2022-11-11/ |access-date=17 February 2023}}</ref>) 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 ", and added condemnation for sexual abuse, saying it's "against priestly nature, and also against social nature".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wimmer |first=AC |date=7 November 2022 |title=French cardinal confesses to sexual abuse |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252746/french-cardinal-confesses-to-sexual-abuse |access-date=17 February 2023 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Miguel |first1=Aura |title=Papa Francisco. Enfrentar abusos na Igreja "implica coragem e nem todos a têm" |trans-title=Pope Francis: Facing abuses in the Church "implies courage and not everybody has it"|url=https://rr.sapo.pt/noticia/religiao/2022/11/08/papa-francisco-enfrentar-abusos-na-igreja-implica-coragem-e-nem-todos-a-tem/307165/ |access-date=9 November 2022 |work=Sapo.pt |date=8 November 2022|language=pt}}</ref>

], marking the first papal tour of the country since ].<ref>{{Cite news|first=Henry|last=McDonald |issn=0261-3077 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/28/pope-francis-to-visit-ireland-in-2018|date=28 November 2016 |title=Pope Francis to visit Ireland in 2018|newspaper=]|location=London, England|access-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> He apologized for sexual abuses by clergy in the United States and Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Erik|date=20 August 2018|title=Pope apologizes for priest sex abuse scandal with 'sorrow and shame'|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/pope-francis/pope-francis-apologizes-catholic-priest-sex-abuse-scandal-sorrow-shame-n902121|access-date=27 August 2018|publisher=]|location=New York City}}</ref>

===G7===
{{Further|50th G7 summit}}

During his speech at the G7 forum in ], he stressed that humanity is in great danger, due to the wars that are taking place such as the war in ], ], the excessive use of ] that is posing a risk to jobs in the world, and reproductive practices without mentioning ]. Pope Francis made history as the first pontiff to participate in the G7, a meeting of leaders of the largest economies in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/12/tech/pope-francis-g7-artificial-intelligence-intl-cmd/index.html|title=Why Pope Francis thinks the Church should play a part in world leaders' debate on AI|publisher=CNN|language=EN|date=June 12, 2024|access-date=June 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pope-francis-becomes-first-pontiff-to-address-a-g7-summit/7656373.html|title=Pope Francis becomes first pontiff to address a G7 summit|publisher=Voice of America|language=EN|date=June 14, 2024|access-date=June 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-06/pope-world-leaders-g7-bilateral-meetings-zelensky-biden.html|title=Pope Francis meets with world leaders at G7 summit|publisher=Vatican News.com|language=EN|date=June 14, 2024|access-date=June 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-06/pope-g7-artifical-intelligence-objective-neutral.html|title=Pope to G7: AI is 'neither objective nor neutral'|publisher=Vatican News.com|language=EN|date=June 14, 2024|access-date=June 15, 2024}}</ref>

===Memoir===
On 16 October 2024, it was revealed that Pope Francis would be the first sitting pontiff to write and publish an memoir, which will be titled ''Hope''. The English versions of the memoir's book and audiobook will be published by ] on 14 January 2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96246-random-house-to-publish-memoir-by-pope-francis.html|title=Random House to Publish Memoir by Pope Francis|first=Sophia|last=Stewart|publisher=Publisher's Weekly|date= 16 October 2024|accessdate=16 October 2024}}</ref>

===Modifying papal funeral and burial requirements===
On 20 November 2024, Francis modified papal funeral rites in order to make his funeral rites similar to that of a bishop.<ref name=funeralandburial>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-funeral-rites-francis-vatican-d8b24d48b743e4b6b11f565196741504He|title=Pope approves new papal funeral rites to simplify ritual, allow for burial outside the Vatican|first=Nicole|last=Winfeld|publisher=Associated Press|date=20 November 2024|accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref> He also modified the papal burial requirements to no longer include the traditional three coffins of cypress, lead, and oak, opting to instead be buried in a simple wooden casket.<ref name=funeralandburial /><ref name=woodencasketoutsidevatican>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-avoiding-pomp-asks-be-buried-simple-wooden-casket-2024-11-20/|title=Pope Francis, avoiding pomp, asks to be buried in simple wooden casket|first=Joshua|last=McElwee|publisher=Reuters|date=20 November 2024|accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref> Pope Francis will also be the first Pope since ] to be buried outside the Vatican.<ref name=woodencasketoutsidevatican /> Plans were previously made to bury Pope Francis in Rome's ] basilica.<ref>{{cite web |title=Popes Buried in St. Peter's |url=http://stpetersbasilica.info/Interior/Sacristy-Treasury/PBlist/PopesBuried.htm |website=stpetersbasilica.info |access-date=2024-11-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=The pope says he wants to be buried in the Rome basilica, not in the Vatican |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-basilica-burial-argentina-ba9dc3ccbf4210df16e64d4032451671 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

==Theological emphases and teachings==
{{Main|Theology of Pope Francis}}

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 ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |date=26 November 2013 |title=A summary of the key issues raised by Pope in Evangelii Gaudium |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/evangelii-gaudium-a-summary-of-the-key-issues-raised-by-pope/ |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=Catholic Herald |language=en-GB}}</ref>

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

===Evangelization===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#The Church's mission|}}

From his first major letter '']'' (''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.<ref name="National Catholic Reporter-2013" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope:-A-missionary-and-pastoral-conversion-for-a-Church-open-to-changing-its-structures-29645.html|title=Pope: A missionary and pastoral conversion for a Church open to changing its structures|work=AsiaNews.it |access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> Then in his letter on the call of all to the same holiness, '']'', Francis describes holiness as "an impulse to evangelize and to leave a mark in this world".<ref>{{cite web|work=Aleteia |title=The pope's new doc on holiness: Gaudete et Exultate in 15 key words|date=9 April 2018|url=https://aleteia.org/2018/04/09/the-popes-new-doc-on-holiness-gaudete-et-exultate-in-15-key-words/|access-date=1 October 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>

==={{Anchor|Ordination of women|Clergy}}Church governance===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Church governance|}}
], Düsseldorf, 2014|259x259px]]

Francis called for decentralization of governance away from Rome, and for a synodal manner of decision making in dialogue with the people.<ref>{{cite web|date=11 February 2016|title=Church reform requires decentralization, synodality|url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/faith-and-justice/church-reform-requires-decentralization-synodality|access-date=3 October 2020|website=National Catholic Reporter|language=en}}</ref> He strongly opposed ]<ref>{{cite web|date=4 January 2014|title=Pope: Warns that Poorly Trained Priests Can Become 'Little Monsters'|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/pope-warns-poorly-trained-priests-can-become-little-monsters|access-date=3 October 2020|website=America Magazine|language=en}}</ref> and made ] full members of the church's dicasteries in Rome.<ref>{{cite web|date=11 July 2019|title=Theologians praise pope's historic appointment of women as members of Vatican congregation|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/theologians-praise-popes-historic-appointment-women-members-vatican-congregation|access-date=25 September 2019|website=National Catholic Reporter}}</ref>

===Environment and climate change===
{{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 ] on the environment, '']'' (''Praise be to you'').<ref>{{cite web|last=Burton|first=Tara Isabella|date=11 July 2014|title=Pope Francis's Radical Environmentalism|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/07/pope-franciss-radical-rethinking-of-environmentalism/374300/|access-date=1 October 2020|website=]|language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2023, in advance to the ] (COP28), Francis issued the ] '']'' (''Praise god''), in which he called for decisive action to against the ] and condemned ].<ref name="katholisch.de">{{cite web |title=Franziskus ruft zu raschen Maßnahmen gegen Erderwärmung auf "Laudate Deum" veröffentlicht: Papst kritisiert Klimaleugner |url=https://www.katholisch.de/artikel/47424-laudate-deum-veroeffentlicht-papst-kritisiert-klimaleugner |website=katholisch.de |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=25 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025160747/https://www.katholisch.de/artikel/47424-laudate-deum-veroeffentlicht-papst-kritisiert-klimaleugner |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Povoledo-2023">{{cite news |author-last1=Horowitz |author-last2=Povoledo |title=Francis Issues Urgent Call to Save a Planet Near 'the Breaking Point' |work=The New York Times |date=4 October 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/world/europe/pope-francis-letter-climate-change.html |access-date=9 October 2023}}</ref> Francis also argued that the ], which hosted COP28, had a "conflict of interest" because "although it has made significant investments in renewable energy sources" it was still "a great exporter of ]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope calls out UAE's 'conflict of interest' as Cop28 host in strongest ever statement on climate crisis |website=] |date=4 October 2023 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/pope-francis-cop28-uae-climate-crisis-b2423793.html}}</ref> Francis planned to attend the conference, which would have been the first time for a pope to personally visit the ],<ref>{{cite web |title=Pope says to attend COP28 climate conference in Dubai |url=https://www.zawya.com/en/special-coverage/cop-28-talking-climate-in-uae/pope-says-to-attend-cop28-climate-conference-in-dubai-hxz06i7c |website=ZAWYA |publisher=Agence France-Presse (AFP) |access-date=2 November 2023}}</ref> but cancelled the trip after developing flu-like symptoms.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/29/pope-francis-cancels-cop28-meeting-visit-climate-crisis-why-flu-illness|title=Pope Francis 'still unwell' after cancelling trip to Cop28|first=Lorenzo|last=Tondo|date=29 November 2023|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

In a May 2017 meeting with U.S. President ], the ], ], raised the issue of ] and encouraged Trump not to ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump: Meeting Pope Francis 'the honor of a lifetime' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-meeting-pope-francis-the-honor-of-a-lifetime/ |publisher=]|location=New York City|date=24 May 2017 |access-date=26 May 2017}}</ref> At the 2017 ] ceremony, Francis highlighted the daily impacts of climate change and the solutions provided by scientific knowledge. He pointed out that while the international community has established legal frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, some nations are withdrawing. He expressed concern over a renewed indifference to ecosystem balance, the belief in controlling limited resources, and a greed for profit.<ref name="Vatican_FAO_20171016">{{cite web|title=Visit of the Holy Father Francis to the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome for World Food Day|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/10/16/171016a.html|access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref>

In 2024, Francis organized a climate summit that issued a Planetary Protocol for Climate Change Resilience including three main pillars: reducing greenhouse gas emissions (while prioritizing ]), ] and societal transformation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planetary Protocol for Climate Change Resilience: A new way to navigate through the climate crisis |url=https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resources/planetary-protocol-for-climate-change-resilience-a-new-way-to-navigate-through-the-climate-crisis/ |website=Catholic Climate Covenant |access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref>

==={{Anchor|Poverty|Liberation theology}}Option for the poor===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Option for the poor|Theology of Pope Francis#Capitalism|Theology of Pope Francis#Liberation Theology}}
] in Brazil during ].]]

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/08/20/pope-says-popular-movements-are-antidote-to-populism/|title=Pope says popular movements are antidote to populism|website=cruxnow.com|access-date=25 September 2019|archive-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915093351/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/08/20/pope-says-popular-movements-are-antidote-to-populism/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He has praised liberation theology founder ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Esteves |first=Junno Arocho |date=2018-06-11 |title=Pope Francis praises founder of liberation theology |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/pope-francis-praises-founder-of-liberation-theology/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Catholic Herald |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2024, while meeting with representatives of the Dialop group, a discussion group between Christians and Marxists, Pope Francis encouraged them to fight together, and stated that marxists and Christians have a common mission.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope: Marxists and Christians have a common mission |url=https://english.katholisch.de/artikel/50230-pope-marxists-and-christians-have-a-common-mission |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=english.katholisch.de |language=de}}</ref>

In September 2024, Francis renewed calls for a universal basic income, as well as higher taxes on billionaires.<ref>{{cite news |last= Mayer |first= Chloe |date= 23 September 2024 |title= Pope Francis Warns World's Wealthy About 'Pure Greed' |url= https://www.newsweek.com/pope-francis-billionaires-universal-basic-income-rich-greedy-1957867 |work= Newsweek |access-date= 2 October 2024}}</ref>

==={{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 ] has called mercy "the key word of his pontificate".<ref name="Austen-2015">{{Cite book|last=Austen|first=Ivereigh|title=The great reformer : Francis and the making of a radical pope|year=2015|isbn=978-1-250-07499-7|edition=First|location=New York|oclc=889324005}}</ref>{{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,<ref name="web.archive.org2">{{cite web|date=17 March 2013|title=Pope Francis explains name, calls for church 'for the poor' – CNN.com|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317035923/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|archive-date=17 March 2013|access-date=24 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Coat of Arms of Pope Francis|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/elezione/stemma-papa-francesco.html|access-date=1 October 2019|website=The Holy See}}</ref> While maintaining the Catholic Church's traditional teaching against abortion, Francis, has referred to the "obsession" of some Catholics with a few issues such as "abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods" which "do not show the heart of the message of Jesus Christ".<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 September 2013|title=A Big Heart Open to God: An interview with Pope Francis|work=America Magazine|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2013/09/30/big-heart-open-god-interview-pope-francis|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>

===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".<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 January 2024 |title=Pope Francis says sexual pleasure is 'a gift from God' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68016311 |access-date=7 February 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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".<ref name="www.usccb.org">{{Cite web |title=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}}</ref> 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."<ref name="www.usccb.org" />

===LGBT===
{{Main|Pope Francis and LGBT topics}}

Francis has marked a significantly more accommodative tone on ] than his predecessors.<ref name="Molloy-2013">{{Cite web |last=Molloy |first=Parker Marie |date=19 December 2013 |title=Op-ed: Pope Francis Has Not Made Good on Transgender Rights |url=https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2013/12/19/op-ed-pope-francis-has-not-made-good-transgender-rights |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> 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 ] people.<ref name="Pullella-2016">{{Cite web |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=3 October 2016 |title=Pope says respect gays and transsexuals, questions gender theory |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-gender-idUSKCN1220WK/ |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="Pullella-2023a">{{Cite web |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=6 February 2023 |title=Pope Francis says laws criminalising LGBT people are a 'sin' and an injustice |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-says-laws-criminalising-lgbt-people-are-sin-an-injustice-2023-02-05/ |access-date=16 January 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2018 |title=Pope Francis reportedly tells gay man: "God made you like this and he loves you" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-tells-gay-man-god-made-you-like-this/ |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> In other public statements, Francis has emphasised the need to accept, welcome, and accompany LGBT people,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spadaro SJ |first=Antonio |author-link=Antonio Spadaro |date=30 September 2013 |title=A Big Heart Open to God: An interview with Pope Francis |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2013/09/30/big-heart-open-god-interview-pope-francis |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=] |language=en |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 October 2016 |title=In-flight press conference of His Holiness Pope Francis from Azerbaijan to Rome |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2016/october/documents/papa-francesco_20161002_georgia-azerbaijan-conferenza-stampa.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bordoni |first=Linda |date=9 May 2022 |title=Pope to LGBT Catholics: 'God is Father who does not disown any of his children' |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-letter-fr-martin-lgtb-outreach-questions.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> including LGBT children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2018 |title=Apostolic Visit to Ireland: Press Conference on the return flight from Dublin to Rome (Papal flight, 26 August 2018) |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2018/august/documents/papa-francesco_20180826_irlanda-voloritorno.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="Catholic News Agency-2020">{{Cite web |date=21 October 2020 |title=Pope Francis calls for civil union law for same-sex couples, in shift from Vatican stance |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/46295/pope-francis-calls-for-civil-union-law-for-same-sex-couples-in-shift-from-vatican-stance |access-date=16 January 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> In a January 2023 interview with the ], Francis denounced the ] (which he called "unjust"); he called on the Catholic Church to "distinguish between a sin and crime" and asked bishops supporting such laws to reverse their position.<ref name="Associated Press-2023">{{Cite web |date=25 January 2023 |title=The AP Interview: Pope says homosexuality not a crime |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212 |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Pullella-2023a" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 January 2023 |title=Pope Francis clarifies comments on homosexuality: "One must consider the circumstances." |url=https://outreach.faith/2023/01/pope-francis-clarifies-comments-on-homosexuality-one-must-consider-the-circumstances/ |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> Francis repeated this stance the following month.<ref name="Pullella-2023a" /> Francis reiterated traditional Catholic teaching that ] is between a man and a woman,<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 March 2014 |title=Transcript: Pope Francis' March 5 interview with Corriere della Sera |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/29153/transcript-pope-francis-march-5-interview-with-corriere-della-sera |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Pope Francis |author-link=Pope Francis |date=19 March 2016 |title=Amoris laetitia |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=] |pages=190–191}}</ref> he has supported same-sex ]s as legal protections for ].<ref name="Catholic News Agency-2020" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2021 |title=Same-sex civil unions 'good and helpful to many', says Pope Francis |url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/09/16/same-sex-civil-unions-good-and-helpful-to-many-says-pope-francis |access-date=16 January 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Under his pontificate, the ] has confirmed that transgender people can be baptised,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fernández |first1=Víctor Manuel |author-link=Víctor Manuel Fernández |last2=Francis |author-link2=Pope Francis |date=31 October 2023 |title=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 |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_20231031-documento-mons-negri_en.html |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 November 2023 |title=Transgender people can be baptised and be godparents, Vatican says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67366198 |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=] |language=en-GB}}</ref> and allowed the blessing of same-sex couples in the document {{Lang|la|]}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fiducia supplicans |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_en.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220220316/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_en.html |archive-date=20 December 2023 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=] |ref=Paragraph 31}}</ref> Francis has privately met many LGBT people and activists. In 2013, Francis was named as Person of the Year by '']'', an American ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grindley |first=Lucas |date=16 December 2013 |title=The Advocate's Person of the Year: Pope Francis |url=https://www.advocate.com/year-review/2013/12/16/advocates-person-year-pope-francis |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>

Relative to LGB topics, Francis has been less accommodative on ].<ref name="Molloy-2013" /> He described ] and children's education on ] as "ideological colonization".<ref>{{Cite web |author=Pope Francis |author-link=Pope Francis |date=27 July 2016 |title=Apostolic Journey to Poland: Meeting with the Polish Bishops in the Cathedral of Kraków |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2016/july/documents/papa-francesco_20160727_polonia-vescovi.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="Pullella-2016" /> In September 2015, Francis met with ], a ] who was jailed for six days for ] for refusing to ] for same-sex couples,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bacon |first1=John |last2=Eversley |first2=Melanie |date=30 September 2015 |title=Vatican confirms pope met with Kim Davis |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/09/30/vatican-quiet-claim-pope-met-kim-davis/73078774/ |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Payne |first1=Ed |last2=Burke |first2=Daniel |date=2 October 2015 |title=Pope's meeting with Kim Davis not an endorsement, Vatican says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/02/us/kim-davis-pope/index.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> and in August 2018, Francis was criticized for suggesting that gay children seek ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 August 2018 |title=Katholische Kirche: Vatikan ändert Papst-Zitate zur psychiatrischen Behandlung homosexueller Kinder |trans-title=Catholic Church: Vatican changes Pope's quotes on psychiatric treatment of homosexual children |url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/gesellschaft/queerspiegel/vatikan-andert-papst-zitate-zur-psychiatrischen-behandlung-homosexueller-kinder-3982726.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=] |language=de-DE |issn=1865-2263}}</ref> As ], Bergoglio led public opposition to the parliamentary bill on legalizing ], which was approved by the ] in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 July 2010 |title=Argentina legalises gay marriage |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/15/argentina-gay-lesbian-marriage-legalisation |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> A letter he wrote in that campaign was criticized for using "mediaeval" and "obscurantist" language.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Romo |first1=Rafael |last2=Rodriguez |first2=Jose Manuel |last3=Shoichet |first3=Catherine E. |date=20 March 2013 |title=Behind closed doors, pope supported civil unions in Argentina, activist says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/20/world/americas/argentina-pope-civil-unions/index.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abrevaya |first=Sebastian |date=27 August 2012 |title="Se abroquelan para defender privilegios" |trans-title=They buckle up to defend privileges |url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elpais/1-201958-2012-08-27.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2013 |title="El pastor no puede ser un privilegiado, no me imagino a Jesús en el Vaticano" |trans-title=The pastor cannot be privileged: I cannot imagine Jesus in the Vatican |url=https://www.lacapital.com.ar/edicion-impresa/el-pastor-no-puede-ser-un-privilegiado-no-me-imagino-jesus-el-vaticano-n549566.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=]}}</ref> A church source quoted in the Argentine newspaper '']'' called the letter a strategic error that contributed to the bill's success.<ref>{{Cite web |last=De Vedia |first=Mariano |date=16 July 2010 |title=La carta de Bergoglio, un error estratégico |trans-title=Bergoglio's letter: A strategic error |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad/la-carta-de-bergoglio-un-error-estrategico-nid1285258/ |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=] |language=es}}</ref>

===International policy===
] in September 2015]]

Francis has regularly been accused by conservatives of having a "soft spot" for leftist populist movements.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2020/02/24/pope-francis-wayward-shepherd/|title=Pope Francis, Wayward Shepherd|last=Mahoney|first=Daniel|date=6 February 2020|website=National Review|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> After Francis's visit to Cuba in 2015, Catholic Yale historian ] said Francis had a "] for the oppressors" in Cuba.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2015/09/when-francis-came-to-cuba|title=When Francis Came to Cuba |last=Eire|first=Carlos|date=24 September 2015|website=First Things|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> Francis is hostile to ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/the-vaticans-authoritarian-friend/|title=Why did Evo Morales find such favour at the Vatican?|last=De Souza|first=Raymond|date=28 November 2019|website=Catholic Herald|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> Since 2016, Francis has been contrasted with US President ],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ivereigh |first=Austen |date=4 March 2017 |title=Is the Pope the Anti-Trump? |newspaper=] |location=New York City |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/04/opinion/sunday/is-the-pope-the-anti-trump.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304213826/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/04/opinion/sunday/is-the-pope-the-anti-trump.html |archive-date=4 March 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> elected that year, with some conservative critics drawing comparisons between the two.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schmitz |first=Matthew |date=19 February 2016 |title=What Donald Trump and Pope Francis actually have in common |newspaper=] |publisher=Nash Holdings LLC |location=Washington, DC |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/02/19/what-donald-trump-and-pope-francis-actually-have-in-common |access-date=7 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Douthat |first=Ross |date=15 February 2017 |title=The Trump Era's Catholic Mirror |newspaper=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/opinion/the-trump-eras-catholic-mirror.html |access-date=16 February 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> During the ], 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."<ref name="Lauter-2016" /> ] said that Francis's comments were not "a personal attack, nor an indication of who to vote for".<ref>{{cite web |last=Vale |first=Paul |date=19 February 2016 |title=Donald Trump Stares Down The Pope As Vatican Back Peddles On 'Not A Christian' Attack |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/19/donald-trump-stares-down-pope-_n_9276220.html |access-date=3 January 2019 |publisher=] |newspaper=] |location=London}}</ref>

] in 2017]]

In response to criticism from ], President ] said in 2017 that he had the support of Francis.<ref>{{Cite news|first1=Ines|last1=San Martin|url=https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/05/15/venezuelan-president-accuses-bishops-ignoring-pope-francis/|title=Venezuelan president accuses bishops of ignoring Pope Francis|publisher=]|date=15 May 2017|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043959/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/05/15/venezuelan-president-accuses-bishops-ignoring-pope-francis/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=John Jr.|last1=Allen|url=https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/05/19/pope-francis-plan-venezuela-give-time-work/|title=Pope Francis has a plan for Venezuela: Give it time to work|publisher=]|date=19 May 2017|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044644/https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/05/19/pope-francis-plan-venezuela-give-time-work/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite news|first1=Cindy|last1=Wooden|url=https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/amid-nations-crisis-venezuelan-bishops-meet-pope.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608161205/http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/amid-nations-crisis-venezuelan-bishops-meet-pope.cfm|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 June 2017|title=Amid nation's crisis, Venezuelan bishops meet pope|publisher=Catholic News Service|date=8 June 2017|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> In January 2019, 20 former presidents in Latin America wrote a letter to Francis criticizing his Christmas address regarding the ongoing ] for being too simplistic and for not acknowledging what they believed to be the causes of the suffering of the victims of the crisis.<ref>{{Cite news|first1=Frances|last1=Jenner|url=https://andestimes.com/latin-american-former-leaders-criticise-popes-christmas-message/2101/|title=Latin American former leaders criticise Pope's Christmas message|work=Andes Times|date=10 January 2019|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> Francis has sought peace in the crisis without picking a side.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Nicole|last1=Winfield|first2=Juan|last2=Zamorano|url=https://apnews.com/4d5745dcd9114f78b5a6000e1dc1efde|title=Pope seeks peace in Venezuela crisis but doesn't pick sides|work=]|date=27 January 2019|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref>

====Position toward China====
Francis took a more conciliatory approach toward the ] than any previous pope.<ref name=Rocca2024>{{cite news|author=Francis X. Rocca|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/05/pope-francis-catholic-church-china/678372/|title=The Vatican's Gamble With Beijing Is Costing China's Catholics|newspaper=The Atlantic|date=May 2024}}</ref> He continued the ] (]), ]; the Vatican City State is the only country in Europe to formally recognize Taiwan, and one of ].<ref>Thomas Ching Wei Tu, , ''The Diplomat'' (March 9, 2024).</ref><ref>Abhishank Mishra & Ananya Sharma, , ] (July 9, 2024).</ref> In 2018, however, Francis approved a ], intended to normalize the situation of ], who numbered approximately 10 million as of 2024.<ref name=Rocca2024/> The Chinese government claims the ], without papal approval, through the state-controlled ], in contravention of longstanding church doctrine.<ref name=Rocca2024/> Under the 2018 agreement, the Vatican consults with the Chinese government on the appointment of bishops, and pledged not to appoint any bishop in China without Beijing's approval;<ref name=Rocca2024/> in return, the Chinese government recognized the pope as the supreme head of the Catholic Church.<ref name=Pullella2022Church>{{cite news|author= Philip Pullella|date=November 26, 2022|title=Vatican says China violated pact on bishops, wants explanation|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/vatican-says-china-violated-pact-bishops-expresses-regret-2022-11-26/|work=Reuters}}</ref> The agreement was renewed for an additional two years in 2020,<ref name=MaresSantucci2023>Courtney Mares & Matthew Santucci, , Catholic News Agency (July 15, 2023).</ref> and again in 2022.<ref name=Pullella2022Church/><ref name=MaresSantucci2023/>

Francis' efforts toward rapprochement with China, were highly controversial; a leading critic, Cardinal ], said the 2018 agreement was a step toward the "annihilation" of the Catholic Church in China.<ref name=Rocca2024/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-asia-oceania/2018/10/cardinal-zen-the-vatican-is-badly-mishandling-china-situation/|title=cardinal-zen-the-vatican-is-badly-mishandling-china-situation|date=26 October 2018|website=cruxnow.com|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://international.la-croix.com/news/cardinal-zen-targets-vatican-silence-on-china-hong-kong/11447|title=Cardinal Zen targets Vatican silence on China, Hong Kong|newspaper=La Croix International|last=Sainsbury|first=Michael|date=9 December 2019|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> Critics said that the 2018 agreement "sold out" Chinese Catholics by accepting infringements on ], thereby undermining the Vatican's spiritual authority.<ref name=Pullella2022Church/><ref name=Rocca2024/> In September 2020, U.S. Secretary of State ], a critic of the agreement, urged Francis to stand against ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pompeo Calls On Pope Francis to Defend Religious Freedom in China |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/pompeo-calls-on-pope-francis-to-defend-religious-freedom-in-china-11601474849 |work=]|date=30 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rebuffed by Vatican, Pompeo Assails China and Aligns With Pope's Critics |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/world/europe/pompeo-pope-francis-china.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930234028/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/world/europe/pompeo-pope-francis-china.html |archive-date=30 September 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=]|date=30 September 2020}}</ref>

The Chinese government repeatedly violated the 2018 deal with the Vatican.<ref name=Pullella2022Church/><ref>{{cite news |title=China Is Already Breaking Its Vatican Deal |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/17/china-francis-vatican/ |work=Foreign Policy |date=17 September 2020}}</ref> Francis has defended the Vatican's dialogue with China on the appointment of new bishops, saying in 2021 that uneasy dialogue was better than no dialogue at all, and that improving strained ties with the Chinese government was important.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Pope defends deal with China, says dialogue necessary |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/pope-defends-deal-with-china-says-dialogue-necessary-2021-09-01/ |access-date=1 September 2021 |work=] |date=1 September 2021}}</ref> From the signing of the agreement until 2022, only six Catholic bishops in China were appointed.<ref name=Pullella2022Church/> In November 2022, the Vatican publicly accused China of violating the agreement by installing ] as an ] in ] without Vatican approval.<ref name=Pullella2022Church/> In April 2023, the Chinese government also installed ] as ] without Vatican approval in violation of the agreement; three months later, Francis recognized Shen Bin's appointment; the Vatican secretary of state, ], said that the pope had done so "remedy the ] created in Shanghai, in view of the greater good of the diocese and the fruitful exercise of the bishop's pastoral ministry."<ref name=MaresSantucci2023/> The Vatican and the Chinese government renewed the agreement in October 2022, and renewed it again in 2024.'''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=22 October 2022 |title=Vatican confirms renewal of contested accord with China on bishops' appointments |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/vatican-confirms-renewal-contested-accord-with-china-bishops-appointments-2022-10-22/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022193426/https://www.reuters.com/world/china/vatican-confirms-renewal-contested-accord-with-china-bishops-appointments-2022-10-22/ |archive-date=22 October 2022 |access-date=22 October 2022 |work=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McElwee |first=Joshua |date=22 October 2024 |title=Vatican and China Extend Deal over Catholic Bishop Appointments |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china-says-it-has-extended-agreement-with-vatican-bishops-2024-10-22/ |access-date=19 November 2024 |work=]}}</ref>'''

In November 2020, Francis named China's ] minority among a list of the world's persecuted peoples. He wrote: "I think often of persecuted peoples: the ] , the poor Uighurs, the ]—what ] did to them was truly cruel—or Christians in Egypt and Pakistan killed by bombs that went off while they prayed in church." ], the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of China, said Francis's remarks had "no factual basis at all".<ref>{{cite news |title=China dismisses Pope Francis's comments about persecution of Uighurs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/25/china-dismisses-pope-franciss-comments-about-persecution-of-uighurs |work=]|date=25 November 2020}}</ref>

In 2019, during the ], Francis was criticized by Zen and other Catholic clergy in Hong Kong for failing to taking a stand against China's repression 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 ] and in France.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Riordan |first1=Primrose |title=Hong Kong's Catholics defy Vatican over protests |url=https://www.ft.com/content/360bc752-f6ea-11e9-a79c-bc9acae3b654 |access-date=1 September 2021 |work=] |date=5 December 2019}}</ref>

===Theological disagreements===

===''Amoris laetitia''===
{{Main|Amoris laetitia}}

On a theological level, controversy arose after the publication of the apostolic exhortation '']'', especially regarding whether the exhortation had changed the ]'s sacramental discipline concerning access to the ] and the ] for divorced couples who have ].<ref name="Oullet">Oullet, Marc (21 November 2017), {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105200946/http://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/accompanying-discerning-integrating-weakness |date=5 January 2019 }}, ''L'Osservatore Romano''<span class="reference-accessdate">, retrieved <span class="nowrap">29 November</span> 2017</span></ref> 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."<ref name="Carroll">{{Cite news|last=Carroll|first=James|date=8 April 2016|title=The New Morality of Pope Francis|magazine=]|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/new-morality-of-pope-francis-joy-of-love|access-date=28 September 2019|issn=0028-792X}}</ref>

Four cardinals (], ], ], and ]) formally asked Francis for clarifications, particularly on the issue of giving communion to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/four-cardinals-formally-ask-pope-for-clarity-on-amoris-laetitia|title=Four Cardinals Formally Ask Pope for Clarity on 'Amoris Laetitia'|newspaper=]|first=Edward|last=Pentin|date=14 November 2016|access-date=4 February 2018}}</ref> They submitted five "dubia" (doubts), and requested a yes or no answer. Francis has not publicly replied.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/01/05/pope-francis-still-hasnt-responded-dubia-he-has-good-reason-not|title=Pope Francis still hasn't responded to the dubia. He has good reason not to.|newspaper=]|first=Louis|last=J. Cameli|date=5 January 2017|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> The exhortation has been implemented in different ways by various bishops around the world.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Receiving 'Amoris Laetitia' | date=1 March 2017 | first=James | last=Keenan | journal=Theological Studies | volume=78 | issue=1 | pages=193–212 | doi=10.1177/0040563916681995 | s2cid=171761624 | doi-access=free |issn=0040-5639}}</ref>

Cardinal ], former prefect of the ], 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.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/cardinal-mueller-on-communion-for-divorced-and-remarried-teaching-of-jesus |title= Cardinal Müller on Communion for Divorced & Remarried: Can't Change Church Teaching |newspaper=] |publisher=] |location= Irondale, Alabama |date= 4 March 2016 |access-date=5 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/02/01/cardinal-muller-communion-for-the-remarried-is-against-gods-law |title= Cardinal Müller: Communion for the remarried is against God's law |newspaper= ] |publisher= ], ] |location= London, England |date= 1 February 2017 |access-date= 8 July 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180705233123/http://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/02/01/cardinal-muller-communion-for-the-remarried-is-against-gods-law/ |archive-date= 5 July 2018 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Francis subsequently announced that ] prefects would be appointed for a single five-year term, and replaced Müller at the end of his term in 2017 with ].<ref>{{cite news |first=Edward|last=Pentin|url=http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/cardinal-mueller-to-be-dismissed |title=Pope Francis Appoints Spanish Jesuit Ladaria to Succeed Cardinal Müller |newspaper=] |publisher=] |location= Irondale, AL |date=3 June 2017 |access-date= 8 July 2018}}</ref> Cardinal ], 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".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/01/14/cardinal-says-blind-man-deny-confusion-caused-pope |title=Cardinal says 'only blind man' could deny confusion caused by Pope |newspaper=] |publisher=Boston Globe Partners LLC |location=Boston, MA |date=14 January 2017 |access-date=4 February 2017 |archive-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426145904/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/01/14/cardinal-says-blind-man-deny-confusion-caused-pope/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In July 2017, a group of conservative clergy, academics and laymen signed a document labelled as a "]" of Francis.<ref name="cnn" /> 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.<ref name="Correctio filialis de haeresibus propagatis">{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5FGuFFkfrDvME5seVJ3TkhrRkU/view?usp=embed_facebook|title="Filial Correction" of Pope Francis, 24 September 2017|website=Google Docs}}</ref> Capuchin Father ], 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".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/11/01/ex-bishops-doctrine-chief-says-darkness-coming-light-francis/|title=Ex-bishops' doctrine chief says darkness coming to light under Francis|newspaper=]|publisher=Boston Globe Partners LLC|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=1 November 2017|access-date=1 November 2017|archive-date=22 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522133907/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/11/01/ex-bishops-doctrine-chief-says-darkness-coming-light-francis/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A defence of ''Amoris Laetitia'' came from philosopher ] 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".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2017/11/20/news/here-is-the-deviation-in-which-amoris-laetitia-s-critics-fall-1.34388313|title="Here is the deviation in which Amoris Laetitia's critics fall"|work=Vatican Insider|publisher=La Stampa|location=Italy|date=20 November 2017|access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref>

====Document on Human Fraternity====
{{Main|Document on Human Fraternity}}

The ''] for World Peace and Living Together'' is a joint statement signed by Francis and ] ], ], on 4 February 2019 in ], 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 ], as acknowledged by the UN Secretary-General, ], in different occasions.<ref name="first-ever">{{cite web|title=First-ever International Day of Human Fraternity focuses on tolerance |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1083832|access-date=3 February 2022|website=United Nations|date=4 February 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Secretary-General's message for 2022: International Day of Human Fraternity |url=https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-fraternity/messages|access-date=3 February 2022|website=United Nations|language=en-US}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pope Francis|last2=Al-Tayyeb|first2=Ahmad|date=4 February 2019|title=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)|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2019/outside/documents/papa-francesco_20190204_documento-fratellanza-umana.html|access-date=13 June 2020|website=w2.vatican.va}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds-2019">{{cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Gabriel|date=12 April 2019|title=After Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/after-abu-dhabi|access-date=13 June 2020|website=Commonweal Magazine}}</ref> Catholic theologian Chad Pecknold wrote that this sentence was "puzzling, and potentially problematic".<ref name="Farrow-2019">{{cite web|last=Farrow|first=Mary|date=4 February 2019|title=Pope Francis signs peace declaration on 'Human Fraternity' with Grand Imam|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/40483/pope-francis-signs-peace-declaration-on-human-fraternity-with-grand-imam|access-date=13 June 2020|website=Catholic News Agency|language=en}}</ref> Some Catholic observers tried to understand it as an allusion to the "permissive will" of God, allowing evil on earth.<ref name="Reynolds-2019" /> Pecknold wrote that the diversity of religions might also be "evidence of our natural desire to know God".<ref name="Farrow-2019" /> Bishop ] claims that Pope Francis clarified to him that he was referring to "the permissive will of God".<ref>{{cite web |last=Gabriel |first=Pedro |url=https://wherepeteris.com/pluralism-and-the-will-of-god-is-there-another-way-to-look-at-it/ |title=Pluralism and the will of God... is there another way to look at it? |publisher=Where Peter Is |date=12 March 2019 |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref>

====''Traditionis custodes'' and the Tridentine Mass====
{{Main|Traditionis custodes}}

In July 2021, Francis issued, '']'', the ] titled '']'', which reversed the decision of his immediate predecessor Benedict XVI in '']'' and imposed new restrictions on the use of the ]. 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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Pope Francis renews restrictions on old Latin Mass, reversing Benedict XVI|language=en-US|newspaper=]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-francis-latin-mass/2021/07/16/5fe7238e-e638-11eb-88c5-4fd6382c47cb_story.html|access-date=19 July 2021|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Jason|date=16 July 2021|title=Pope Francis Restricts Use of Old Latin Mass, in a Blow to Conservatives|language=en-US|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/world/europe/pope-francis-old-latin-mass.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/world/europe/pope-francis-old-latin-mass.html |archive-date=28 December 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=19 July 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''Traditionis custodes'', which Pope Francis published and ] on 16 July, has been criticized by prelates such as Cardinals ], ] and ], as well as many lay faithful who attend the traditional Latin Mass. The '']''' reported that "The most general criticism is that the restrictions are unnecessary, needlessly harsh, and implemented in an unjustifiably swift fashion."<ref>{{cite web|last=Pentin|first=Edward|title=Latin Mass Society: 'Traditionis Custodes' Regulates Not Abrogrates Older Liturgy|url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/latin-mass-society-traditionis-custodes-regulates-not-abrogrates-older-liturgy|access-date=23 July 2021|website=NCR|date=22 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The ''motu proprio'' was later confirmed by Francis through the ] ''Desiderio desideravi''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apostolic Letter "Desiderio desideravi" |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2022/06/29/0501/01027.html#ing |access-date=24 September 2022 |website=press.vatican.va}}</ref>

====''Fiducia supplicans''====
{{Main|Fiducia supplicans}}

In December 2023, the ] issued a declaration, ''Fiducia supplicans'', approved by Francis.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Declaration Fiducia Supplicans On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings (18 December 2023) |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_en.html |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=www.vatican.va}}</ref> ''Fiducia supplicans'' intended to provide clarification and reforms on the Catholic Church's treatment of "irregular relationships", defined as those who establish a ] and emotional bond that lasts over time and have not contracted a Catholic marriage. Notably, it allows ] 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 ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2023 |title=Doctrinal declaration opens possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-12/fiducia-supplicans-doctrine-faith-blessing-irregular-couples.html |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Vatican News |language=en}}</ref>

''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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pentin |first=Edward |date=18 January 2024 |title=Marking One Month of 'Fiducia Supplicans': Opposition Shows No Signs of Abating |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/marking-one-month-of-fiducia-supplicans-opposition-shows-no-signs-of-abating |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=National Catholic Register |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=4 January 2024 |title=Vatican Defends Gay Blessings, but Offers Critics Some Leeway |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/04/world/europe/vatican-pope-lgbtq-blessings.html |access-date=22 January 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coppen |first=Luke |date=19 December 2023 |title='Fiducia supplicans': Who's saying what? |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/fiducia-supplicans-whos-saying-what |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=The Pillar |language=en}}</ref> Cardinal ] called it "sacrilegious and blasphemous" and "self-contradictory".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Müller |first=Gerhard |title=Müller: Blessings for gay couples are blasphemous |url=https://newdailycompass.com/en/mueller-blessings-for-gay-couples-are-blasphemous |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=newdailycompass.com |language=en}}</ref> Cardinal ] described the blessing of couples in irregular situations as "a heresy that seriously undermines the Church".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quiñones |first=Kate |title=Cardinal Sarah speaks out against clergy blessing same-sex unions |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256481/cardinal-sarah-speaks-out-against-clergy-blessing-same-sex-unions |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref> On 11 January 2024, Cardinal ] announced that all episcopal conferences in Africa, represented in ], 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".<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 January 2024 |title=African bishops reject same-sex blessings en masse |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/schism-looms-as-african-bishops-reject-same-sex-blessings-document-en-masse/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Catholic Herald |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 January 2024 |title=Africa's Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God's will |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/11/vatican-lgbtq-blessing-africa-france/9a428208-b09d-11ee-9a32-5c9e6aa28b3b_story.html |access-date=22 January 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

==International diplomatic role==
]]]
] in 2022]]

===Cuba===
Francis played a key role in the talks toward restoring ]. The restoration was jointly announced by U.S. President ] and Cuban President ] on 17 December 2014. The headline in the '']'' 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."<ref name="Bridge to Cuba">{{cite news|first1=Paul|last1=Richter|first2=Tom|last2=Kington|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-todays-paper-20141219-htmlstory.html|title=Bridge to Cuba Via Vatican|newspaper=]|date=19 December 2014|access-date=27 October 2018}}</ref> The pope, along with the ], 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.<ref>{{cite news |first= Barbie Latza |last= Nadeau |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/17/the-pope-s-diplomatic-miracle-ending-the-u-s-cuba-cold-war.html |title= The Pope's Diplomatic Miracle: Ending the U.S.–Cuba Cold War |website= ] |publisher=]|location=New York City|date= 17 December 2014 |access-date=18 December 2014}}</ref> 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".<ref name="Bridge to Cuba" /> 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."<ref name="Wilkinson, Pope will visit Cuba">{{cite news|first=Tracy|last = Wilkinson|url = https://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-pope-cuba-20150422-story.html|title = Pope Francis to stop in Cuba en route to U.S., Vatican announces|newspaper=]|location=Los Angeles, California|date = 22 April 2015|access-date = 29 July 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150730034810/http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-pope-cuba-20150422-story.html|archive-date=30 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Cuba visit "seals that accomplishment, in which he served as a bridge between two erstwhile enemies".<ref name="Wilkinson, Pope will visit Cuba" /> 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".<ref name="Wilkinson, Pope will visit Cuba" /> 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 ].<ref name="Catholic Cuba">{{cite web |first=Eliott C.|last=McLaughlin|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/10/europe/italy-raul-castro-pope-francis-meeting/|title= Raul Castro may join Catholic Church, he says after Pope Francis meeting|publisher=]|location=Atlanta, Georgia|date=14 May 2015|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> 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 church. I am not joking."<ref name="Yardley-2015">{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Yardley|title=Praising Pope, Cuban President Says He might return to church|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510224154/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html |archive-date=10 May 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=]|location=New York City|date=10 May 2015|access-date=27 October 2018|page=A4}}</ref> Castro said that, when the pope came, "I promise to go to all his Masses and with satisfaction".<ref name="Yardley-2015" />

===Arab–Israeli conflict===
] in May 2014]]

In May 2014, Francis visited ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web|first=David|last=Willey|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27469349|title=Pope Francis to tread careful path on Mid-East visit|website=]|location=London, England|date=23 May 2014|access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref><ref name=Sales>Ben Sales, , Jewish Telegraphic Agency (May 27, 2014).</ref> Francis offered symbolic gestures to both sides in the ].<ref name=Sales/> In addition to visiting the ], ], and the ], he became the first pope to visit the ], entered the ] from Jordan rather than Israel, and invited ] President ] and Israeli President ] to a prayer summit at the Vatican (both accepted).<ref name=Sales/> He visited ], where he gave a speech alongside Abbas, and celebrated Mass at the ].<ref name=Sales/> At the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister ], he visited the ]; at the invitation of Palestinian authorities, he prayed at a portion of the ].<ref name=Sales/> In addition to meetings with Peres and Netanyahu, Francis met ] ], Chief Rabbis ] and ], and ] ].<ref name=Sales/>

In May 2015, Francis welcomed Abbas to the Vatican and said that: "The angel of peace destroys the evil spirit of war. I thought about you: may you be an angel of peace."<ref>{{cite news |first=Edward |last=Pentin |url=http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/the-pope-mahmoud-abbas-and-the-angel-of-peace |title=The Pope, Mahmoud Abbas, and the 'Angel of Peace' |newspaper=]|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners LLC|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=18 May 2015 |access-date=18 May 2015}}</ref> The Vatican signed a treaty ].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.timesofisrael.com/vatican-signs-treaty-recognizing-state-of-palestine/|title= Vatican signs treaty recognizing State of Palestine|date= 26 June 2015|newspaper=]|access-date=2 August 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |first= Elisabetta |last=Povoledo |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/europe/in-vatican-abbas-is-praised-as-angel-of-peace.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517035411/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/europe/in-vatican-abbas-is-praised-as-angel-of-peace.html |archive-date=17 May 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title= At Vatican, Abbas is Praised as 'Angel of Peace' |newspaper=]|date= 17 May 2015}}</ref>

In May 2021, amid ], Francis reiterated calls for peace between Israel and Palestinians during his ] address.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mares |first=Courtney|date=11 May 2021|title=Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says violence requires 'an urgent intervention'|work=]|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247617/latin-patriarchate-of-jerusalem-says-violence-requires-an-urgent-intervention}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Connell |first=Gerard|date=9 May 2021|title=Pope Francis calls for an end to clashes in Jerusalem|work=]|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/05/09/pope-francis-clashes-jerusalem-violence-holy-land-peace-israel|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509144945/https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/05/09/pope-francis-clashes-jerusalem-violence-holy-land-peace-israel|archive-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>

Francis condemned ]. He also criticized Israel's actions in the ] during the ], saying that "terror should not justify terror" and describing Israel's airstrikes as "cruelty, this is not war."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=J. N. S. |date=2024-12-21 |title='Double standards' from pope, 'singling out' Jews, Israeli government says |url=https://www.jns.org/double-standards-from-pope-singling-out-jews-israeli-government-says/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=JNS.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dispute erupts over whether pope called Gaza situation a 'genocide' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-says-conflict-between-israel-hamas-has-gone-beyond-war-terrorism-2023-11-22/ |work=Reuters |date=22 November 2023}}</ref> He condemned the killing of two ] women by an ] sniper in Gaza, calling it "terrorism".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=17 December 2023 |title="It is Terrorism": Pope Francis Denounces Killing of Two Christian Women in Gaza |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/pope-francis-israel-gaza-deaths |access-date=19 December 2023 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}</ref> Throughout the war, Francis has called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages,<ref>{{cite news|last=Armellini|first=Alvise|title=Pope Francis, in Easter address, calls for Gaza ceasefire|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-easter-address-calls-gaza-ceasefire-2024-03-31/|work=Reuters|date=31 March 2024}}</ref> and the establishment of a ].<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Connell|first=Gerard|title=Pope Francis: No peace in Israel and Palestine without two-state solution|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/01/29/pope-francis-israel-palestine-two-state-solution-247038|work=America Magazine|date=29 January 2024}}</ref> He has communicated with the sole ] of Gaza daily since the start of the war.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope continues to call Gaza parish daily {{!}} News Headlines |url=https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=64257 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=www.catholicculture.org}}</ref> In November 2024, Pope Francis suggested that the international community should investigate whether Israel's campaign in Gaza is a ] of the Palestinian people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 November 2024 |title=Pope Francis Suggests International Study into Possible Genocide in Gaza |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/pope-francis-suggests-international-study-into-possible-genocide-gaza-2024-11-17/ |work=]}}</ref>

===Migrant and refugee issues===
], 14 August 2014]]

Francis made the plight of refugees and migrants "a core component of his pastoral work" and has defended their rights in ]. In 2019, he placed a statue in ] to bring attention to the Christian imperative involved in their situation (Hebrews 13:2).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-wall-idUSKBN15N1ZW|title=Don't build walls, Pope Francis says|date=8 February 2017|work=]|access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Friedman|first=Uri|date=16 April 2016|website=] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/04/refugees-pope-francis-lesbos/477870/|title='The Globalization of Indifference': How Pope Francis Sees the Refugee Crisis|access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Vatican Statue Proclaims Pope Francis' Concern For Refugees |date=1 October 2019 |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/angels-unaware-statue-pope-francis_n_5d93bf92e4b0ac3cddb05a56|first=Carol |last=Kuruvilla|website=]|access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> In line with this policy, Francis has criticized ] and ] who reject the acceptance of refugees.<ref>{{cite web|date=20 August 2019|title=Pope says popular movements are 'antidote' to populism |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/08/pope-says-popular-movements-are-antidote-to-populism/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=Crux|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Momigliano|first=Anna|date=23 May 2017 |title=Catholic Populists Have to Respect the Pope, but They Love Trump |website=]|language=en |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/05/catholic-populists-trump-pope-francis-vatican/527766/ |access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref>

In April 2016, Francis, along with ] and ], visited the ] on the Greek island of ], to call the attention of the world to the ]. There the three Christian leaders signed a joint declaration.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2016/apr/16/pope-francis-europe-visits-lesbos-in-pictures|title=Pope Francis visits Lesbos|newspaper=]|location=London, England|date=16 April 2016|access-date=27 October 2018}}</ref>

===Sovereign Military Order of Malta===
] and his family, Vatican City, June 2018|left]]

In January 2017, Francis demanded the resignation of ], the 79th ] of the ]. The Pope's demand came as a response to Festing and Cardinal ] firing Baron ] 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/ancient-order-malta-faces-era-change-interim-leader-elected|title=Ancient Order of Malta faces era of change as interim leader is elected|author=Josephine McKenna|date=1 May 2017|newspaper=]|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

===Afghanistan===
After the Taliban takeover and ], Francis deemed the troop withdrawal "legitimate" but criticized it as "not well thought out" and the war's failure in nation-building. The Vatican, through Cardinal ], was in talks with the Taliban to discourage reprisals against civilians.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Glatz |first1=Carol |title=Pope Francis: Afghanistan withdrawal was not completely thought through |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/08/31/pope-francis-afghanistan-withdrawal-241313 |access-date=2 September 2021 |work=America Magazine |date=31 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Matranga |first1=Anna |title=Pope Francis takes a jab at America's policy in Afghanistan |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-news-us-afghanistan-policy-health-after-surgery/ |access-date=2 September 2021 |agency=] |date=1 September 2021}}</ref>

===Russia and Ukraine===
], in front of Russian President ], in June 2015]]
], in 2023]]

Following the ], a major escalation of the ], Francis visited the Russian embassy in Rome, an unprecedented action.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-unprecedented-move-pope-makes-personal-appeal-in-remarkable-russia-embassy-visit/|title=In unprecedented move, Pope makes personal appeal in remarkable Russia embassy visit|work=]|access-date=26 February 2022|date=26 February 2022|last=Winfield|first=Nicole|archive-date=26 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226034527/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-unprecedented-move-pope-makes-personal-appeal-in-remarkable-russia-embassy-visit/|url-status=live}}</ref> He called Ukrainian president ] to express "sorrow" as the Vatican worked to find "room for negotiation" to end the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/ukraines-president-zelensky-tweets-thanks-popes-call-support|title=Ukraine's President Zelensky tweets thanks for pope's call of support|last=White|first=Christopher|date=26 February 2022|access-date=26 February 2022|work=]|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227001711/https://www.ncronline.org/news/ukraines-president-zelensky-tweets-thanks-popes-call-support|url-status=dead}}</ref> The day after the invasion began in February 2023, Francis assured ], the ] of the ], that "he would do everything he can to help end the Ukraine conflict".<ref>{{cite interview|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250497/ukraine-conflict-pope-francis-to-ukrainian-catholic-leader-i-will-do-everything-i-can-to-help-end-war|title=Pope Francis to Ukrainian Catholic leader: 'I will do everything I can' to help end conflict|location=]|date=25 February 2022|access-date=26 February 2022|work=]|author=CNA Staff|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://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|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 27 February 2023 ] address, Francis called for peace, saying, "Silence the weapons!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catholicphilly.com/2022/02/news/world-news/with-a-heart-broken-pope-prays-for-peace-in-ukraine/|title='With a heart broken,' pope prays for peace in Ukraine|work=CatholicPhilly|date=27 February 2022|access-date=22 February 2022|last=Wooden|first=Cindy|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227230431/https://catholicphilly.com/2022/02/news/world-news/with-a-heart-broken-pope-prays-for-peace-in-ukraine/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Throughout the war, Francis has called for an end to armed conflict.<ref name=Smith2023>Patrick Smith, , NBC News (August 29, 2023).</ref> Initially, he avoided specific criticism of Russia and President ], frustrating many Ukrainians.<ref name=Horowitz2024>Jason Horowitz, , ''New York Times'' (March 9, 2024).</ref> Later, he described Ukraine as "martyred" and prayed for the victims of ], but still did not directly criticize Putin or the Russian government.<ref name=Horowitz2024/><ref name=Allen2023>John L. Allen Jr., , ''The Atlantic'' (May 5, 2023).</ref> His statements aligned more with countries like Brazil, India, and China,<ref name=Allen2023/> rather than the U.S. and Europe, a stance some attribute to his distrust of America.<ref>, ''Economist'' (December 20, 2022).</ref>

Francis's blanket denunciations of arms transfers and the weapons industry<ref name=Horowitz2024/><ref>Nicole Winfield, , Associated Press (December 25, 2023).</ref> seemed to condemn ].<ref name=Allen2023/> In a September 2022 press conference, seven months into the war, Francis said that it was "licit" and justified for Ukraine ] but called for a negotiated settlement (saying that there must be "dialogue with any power that is at war, even if it is with the aggressor" and even when "it stinks").<ref name=White2022>Christopher White, , ''National Catholic Reporter'' (September 15, 2022).</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pope Francis: 'The West has taken the wrong paths' |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252304/pope-francis-the-west-has-taken-the-wrong-paths |access-date=21 September 2022 |publisher=Catholic News Agency |date=15 September 2022 |language=en |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604031627/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252304/pope-francis-the-west-has-taken-the-wrong-paths |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Pullella>{{cite news|author=Philip Pullella|title=Pope Says Ukraine Subjected to Monstrosities |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-09-21/pope-says-ukraine-subjected-to-savageness-monstrosities-torture |access-date=21 September 2022 |publisher=] |date=21 September 2022 |language=en |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114095521/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-09-21/pope-says-ukraine-subjected-to-savageness-monstrosities-torture |url-status=live }}</ref> He also suggested that arms transfers to Ukraine were "a political decision which it can be moral, morally acceptable, if it is done under conditions of morality."<ref name=White2022/> He later said that Ukrainians were a "noble" people and recounted Cardinal ]'s reports of the "savage acts, the monstrosity, the tortured bodies" inflicted upon Ukraine.<ref name=Pullella/>

Francis' stances were rooted in part in his hope that the Vatican could broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, a possibility that analysts viewed as extremely unlikely.<ref name=Horowitz2024/> He dispatched two high-ranking Vatican officials&mdash;Cardinals Krajewski and ]&mdash;as envoys on several trips to Ukraine in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |last2=Balmer |first2=Crispian |date=6 March 2022 |title=Pope Francis says 'rivers of blood' flowing in Ukraine war |language=en |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-ukraine-conflict-is-not-military-operation-war-2022-03-06/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412152840/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-ukraine-conflict-is-not-military-operation-war-2022-03-06/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2022 |title=Pope sends cardinal to Ukraine to show solidarity with refugees |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22/h_8cc95cbbd57270b46535d4948ec18d88 |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=] |language= |archive-date=7 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507112859/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22/h_8cc95cbbd57270b46535d4948ec18d88 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Pope Francis blessed an ambulance that the Vatican sent to Ukraine |url=https://www.infobae.com/en/2022/03/26/pope-francis-blessed-an-ambulance-that-the-vatican-sent-to-ukraine/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=infobae |language= |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503085407/https://www.infobae.com/en/2022/03/26/pope-francis-blessed-an-ambulance-that-the-vatican-sent-to-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which was considered a highly unusual move of Vatican diplomacy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope Francis dispatches 2 cardinals to Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/06/pope-francis-dispatches-2-cardinals-to-ukraine-00014429 |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=] |date=6 March 2022 |language=en |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412152842/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/06/pope-francis-dispatches-2-cardinals-to-ukraine-00014429 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2022, Francis ]).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-to-consecrate-russia-and-ukraine-to-the-immaculate.html |title=Pope to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to Immaculate Heart of Mary |work=] |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=21 March 2022 |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320221024/http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-to-consecrate-russia-and-ukraine-to-the-immaculate.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Francis said in April 2023, during a trip to ], that he was working on a secret "mission" to bring peace and return ].<ref>Jason Horowitz, , ''New York Times'' (April 30, 2023).</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pope says Vatican involved in secret Ukraine peace mission |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-vatican-involved-ukraine-peace-mission-2023-04-30/ |work=] |date=30 April 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |archive-date=15 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615234847/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-vatican-involved-ukraine-peace-mission-2023-04-30/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Francis's efforts to position the Vatican as a mediator continuously failed.<ref name=Allen2023/><ref name=Mikhelidze2023>Nona Mikhelidze, , ] (May 18, 2023).</ref>

In April 2022, a delegation of Ukrainian officials, including ] mayor ] and ] ], attended the Vatican Easter vigil with Francis, who said he was prater for an end to the "darkness of war" and "all the suffering." Addressing the group, he also spoke the words "]" in ].<ref>{{Cite news |title= Ukrainian politicians, including Melitopol mayor, attend Vatican Easter vigil |url= https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-17/melitopol-mayor-and-ukrainian-politicians-attend-vatican-easter-/100995968 |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=]|date= 17 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2022, Francis described Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "perhaps somehow either provoked or not prevent" and suggested that "NATO barking at Russia's gate" contributed to the war.<ref name=Mikhelidze2023/><ref name="politico.eu">{{Cite web |date=14 June 2022 |title=Pope Francis: Russian war in Ukraine was 'perhaps provoked' |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-francis-says-war-in-ukraine-perhaps-provoked-or-unprevented/ |access-date=16 June 2022 |website=] |language=en-US |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615175249/https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-francis-says-war-in-ukraine-perhaps-provoked-or-unprevented/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These statements alarmed Ukrainians and echoed ], which portray the conflict as being instigated by the West.<ref name=Mikhelidze2023/> Francis said he was not "pro-Putin" but instead was "simply against reducing complexity to the distinction between good guys and bad guys."<ref name="politico.eu"/>

In August 2022, Francis described the killing of ] as a case of the death of innocents in the war. ] raised a protest, saying that Dugina was "one of ideologists of (Russian) imperialism" and not an innocent victim.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Ukraine envoy criticises pope over comments on Russian killed by car bomb |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-warns-potential-nuclear-disaster-ukraines-zaporizhzhia-plant-2022-08-24/ |access-date=24 August 2022 |work=] |date=24 August 2022 |language=en |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825083402/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-warns-potential-nuclear-disaster-ukraines-zaporizhzhia-plant-2022-08-24/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In early October 2022, Francis for the first time directly appealed to Putin to halt the stop the "spiral of violence and death" in Ukraine.<ref name=Pullella2022>Philip Pullella, , Reuters (October 12, 2022).</ref> He said that ] would bring "uncontrollable global consequences."<ref name=PullellaOct2022>{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Pope begs Putin to end 'spiral of violence and death', cites nuclear threat |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-begs-putin-end-spiral-violence-death-cites-nuclear-threat-2022-10-02/ |access-date=2 October 2022 |work=] |date=2 October 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326034459/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-begs-putin-end-spiral-violence-death-cites-nuclear-threat-2022-10-02/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the same speech, Francis asked Ukrainian president Zelenskyy to be open about "serious peace proposals" while recognizing that Ukraine had suffered an "aggression" and saying that he was "pained about the suffering of the Ukrainian people".<ref name=PullellaOct2022/> Later that month, Francis denounced ] and the "hurricane of violence" against Ukrainian civilians.<ref name=Pullella2022/>

In a November 2022 interview with ] magazine, Francis was asked about his "seeming unwillingness to directly criticize Russia" and his preference "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"; the pope responded that "Generally, the cruelest are perhaps those who are of Russia but are not of the Russian tradition, such as the ] and ] and so on..."<ref name="America Magazine">{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Pope Francis discusses Ukraine, U.S. bishops and more |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/11/28/pope-francis-interview-america-244225 |access-date=9 August 2023 |work=] |date=28 November 2022 |archive-date=12 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812040749/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/11/28/pope-francis-interview-america-244225 |url-status=live }}</ref> Russian foreign ministry spokesperson ] condemned the comments as "perversion on a level I can't even name" and others remarked that his statement was "racist" and that there was no data supporting this claim concerning Russian soldiers who are non-ethnic Russians.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sauer |first1=Pjotr |title='Racist' interview with Pope Francis causes fury in Russia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/29/interview-pope-francis-fury-russia |access-date=29 November 2022 |work=] |date=29 November 2022 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129145644/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/29/interview-pope-francis-fury-russia |url-status=live }}</ref> Francis also stated during the interview: "Certainly, the one who invades is the Russian state. This is very clear."<ref name="America Magazine"/>

In August 2023, Francis infuriated Ukraine by making off-the-cuff remarks to a group of young Russian Catholics praising the ] as "great" and urging them not to "forget your heritage" as descendants "the great Russia of saints, rulers, the great Russia of ], ]."<ref name=Smith2023/> The pope's remarks echoed ]'s rhetoric valorizing ], and was praised by the Kremlin; Archbishop ], the leader of the ] (an ] church in communion with Rome) said the pope's statement had caused "great pain and worry" because it reflected the "neo-colonial ambitions of the aggressor country."<ref name=Smith2023/><ref name="Melkozerova-2024"/> Peter the Great and Catherine the Great suppressed ] and ].<ref name="Melkozerova-2024"/> Following the criticism, the pope's spokesman said the pontiff's intent was to promote positive aspects of Russia's "cultural and spiritual heritage, and certainly not to extol imperialistic logics and governmental personalities."<ref name=Smith2023/>

In a February 2024 interview with Swiss television station ], broadcast the following month, Francis suggested that Ukraine should have the "courage of the ], and to negotiate"; the statement was interpreted as a call for Ukraine to negotiate ].<ref name=Horowitz2024/><ref name="Melkozerova-2024">{{Cite web |last=Melkozerova |first=Veronika |date=2024-03-11 |title=Pope's 'white flag' gaffe triggers outrage in Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-francis-courage-raising-white-flag-remark-sparks-fury-ukraine/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref> Ukraine was angered by Francis's suggestion that it should yield to Russian aggression, and the statement was criticized by Ukraine President ] and German Foreign Minister ].<ref name=Horowitz2024/><ref name="Melkozerova-2024"/> After the broadcast, a Vatican spokesperson said that Francis meant "cease-fire and negotiation" rather than capitulation.<ref name=Horowitz2024/><ref name="Melkozerova-2024"/> The ] 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."<ref name="Melkozerova-2024" />

===In the Muslim world===
Francis condemned the ], and supported the use of force to stop Islamic militants from attacking religious minorities in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-endorses-use-of-force-against-isis-in-iraq-2014-8?IR=T|title= Pope Francis Endorses Use Of Force Against ISIS In Iraq|first= Nicole|last= Winfield|date= 18 August 2014|website= ]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140822013237/http://www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-endorses-use-of-force-against-isis-in-iraq-2014-8?IR=T|archive-date= 22 August 2014|url-status=live|access-date= 3 June 2015}}</ref> In January 2018, Francis met ] refugees in Europe, expressed his support for their right to religious freedom, and called upon the international community "not to remain a silent and unresponsive spectator" to the ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bordoni |first1=Linda |title=Pope Francis calls for respect for the rights of the Yazidis |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-francis-yazidi-persecuted.html |work=] |date=24 January 2018}}</ref>

In February 2019, Francis visited ], United Arab Emirates, on the invitation of ]. Francis became the first pope to celebrate Mass on the ], attended by more than 120,000 attendees at the ].<ref>{{cite news |work=]|date=5 February 2019 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-emirates/tens-of-thousands-pack-stadium-for-first-papal-mass-on-arabian-peninsula-idUSKCN1PU0H9?il=0|title=Tens of thousands pack stadium for first papal mass on Arabian Peninsula}}</ref>

In March 2021, Francis held a ] with Iraq's top ] cleric, ] ], and visited ], a site traditionally identified as the birthplace of the prophet ]. He and the Iraqi cleric urged the Muslim and Christian communities to work together for peaceful coexistence.<ref>{{cite news|author=Philip Pullella|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-iraq/pope-francis-holds-historic-meeting-with-iraqs-top-shiite-cleric-idUSKBN2AY07Y|title=Pope, on Iraq visit, decries violence in the name of God as 'greatest blasphemy'|date=6 March 2021|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=]|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pope-francis-meets-top-shiite-cleric-iraq-76292195 |title=Pope, top Iraq Shiite cleric hold historic, symbolic meeting|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>

In September 2024, Francis ] ], a country with the largest Muslim population,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Afifa |first=Laila |date=2024-01-06 |title=10 Countries With Largest Muslim Population; Indonesia Ranks Second |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/1817707/10-countries-with-largest-muslim-population-indonesia-ranks-second |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=Tempo |language=en}}</ref> where he attended inter-religious dialogue in ] in Jakarta, and was welcomed by the Grand Imam, Dr. ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-05 |title=Pope at mosque in Indonesia: May we cultivate friendship as pilgrims on our way to God |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-may-we-cultivate-friendship-harmony-as-pilgrims.html |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=Vatican News |language=en}}</ref> The mosque, the largest in ], and the ninth largest in the world,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perlez |first=Jane |date=23 August 2002 |title=Jakarta Journal; A TV Preacher to Satisfy the Taste for Islam Lite |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/23/world/jakarta-journal-a-tv-preacher-to-satisfy-the-taste-for-islam-lite.html |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=NY Times}}</ref> is right across the ], and connected by an underpass known as "tunnel of friendship", where Francis attended the mosque from. Francis also listened to Islamic prayers being recited by a young blind girl named Syakila, the winner of a national Quran recitation competition.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Magramo |first1=Kathleen |last2=Jamaluddin |first2=Masrur |last3=Legge |first3=James |last4=Mortensen |first4=Antonia |date=2024-09-05 |title=On visit to Southeast Asia's largest mosque, Pope says battling climate change and religious extremism a common cause for all |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/05/asia/pope-indonesia-climate-extremism-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Francis and the Grand Imam also signed the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024, underscoring that the values common to all religious traditions be effectively promoted to “defeat the culture of violence and indifference” and promote reconciliation and peace.<ref name=":0" /> The declaration also read and attended by representatives from other religions, including ], ], ], ]s, and ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ihsanuddin |first=Vitorio Mantalean |date=5 September 2024 |title=Paus Fransiskus Teken "Deklarasi Bersama" Istiqlal Bareng Tokoh Lintas Iman, Ini Isinya |url=https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2024/09/05/11273151/paus-fransiskus-teken-deklarasi-bersama-istiqlal-bareng-tokoh-lintas-iman |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=Kompas.com}}</ref>

===Elsewhere===
] in ], celebrating a Mass with Francis, June 2015]]

On 6 June 2015, Francis visited ], the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, urging peace in the religiously diverse city.<ref>{{cite news |first1= Nic |last1=Robertson |first2=Laura |last2=Smith-Spark |first3=Faith |last3=Karimi | url= http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/06/europe/bosnia-pope-francis-visit/index.html |title= Pope Francis urges peace on visit to Sarajevo, 'Jerusalem of Europe' |publisher=]|location= Atlanta, Georgia |date=6 June 2015 |access-date= 6 June 2015 }}</ref>

In September 2015, Francis visited the ] in New York City, where he addressed the ]; following his speech, he visited the ].<ref name="Times 2015">, ] (September 25, 2015).</ref> In June 2023, Francis issued an address to the ] while recovering from abdominal surgery; the statement was read by Vatican official ] on the pope's behalf.<ref>Edith M. Lederer, , Associated Press (June 14, 2023).</ref><ref>, Vatican (14 June 2023).</ref>

On ], on 1 November 2021, Francis visited a war cemetery in Rome and paid tribute to fallen soldiers during the ] in World War II as well as at the ], in Italy, during World War I. Francis also praised military casualties for "fighting for their homeland and values" and called for global peace.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mares |first1=Courtney |title=Pope Francis celebrates All Souls' Day Mass at military cemetery in Rome |url=https://angelusnews.com/news/vatican/pope-francis-celebrates-all-souls-day-mass-at-military-cemetery-in-rome/ |access-date=3 November 2021 |work=Angelus News |date=2 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Glatz |first1=Carol |title=Pope Francis on All Souls Day: The tombs of fallen soldiers cry out for peace |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/11/02/pope-francis-all-souls-war-241762 |access-date=3 November 2021 |work=] |date=2 November 2021}}</ref>

==Public image==
{{See also|List of places and things named after Pope Francis}}
{{external media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage = ]
| video1 = , ], April 2017, 17:51, in Italian with subtitles in 22 languages }}

Francis has frequently been depicted as a ] or ] moderate.<ref>{{cite news |last=Waters |first=John |date=20 July 2014 |title=Does Pope Francis have a cunning plan? |work=Irish Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/does-pope-francis-have-a-cunning-plan-30444898.html |url-status=live |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720053304/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/does-pope-francis-have-a-cunning-plan-30444898.html |archive-date=20 July 2014}}</ref> Commentator ] described Francis' comments by Francis in his first long interview in 2013 (particularly Francis's statement that "God is to be encountered in the world of today" and "God manifests himself in historical revelation, in history") as liberal and fundamentally anti-conservative.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2013/09/pope-francis-interview-forget-homosexuality-and-birth-control-hes-a-flaming-liberal.html |title=Pope Francis Is a Liberal |last=Saletan |first=William |author-link=William Saletan|date=19 September 2013 |journal=Slate |access-date=20 May 2014}}</ref> Other have contested descriptions of Francis as liberal.<ref>{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Coppen |url=https://www.spectator.com.au/2014/01/the-fantasy-francis/|title=Sorry – but Pope Francis is no liberal |work=The Spectator |date=11 January 2014 |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> In 2014, the Vatican criticized some Italian news agencies, as well as the ], for reporting on certain remarks Francis has made as suggestive of an opening toward acceptance of same-sex marriage or civil unions; a Vatican spokesperson said the pope's remark had been taken out of context.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/28727/vatican-spokesman-media-manipulated-popes-family-comments|title=Vatican spokesman: media manipulated Pope's family comments |date=7 January 2014|agency=Catholic News Agency|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref>

Important aspects of Francis's public image include "his recognizable humanity" and gestures of humility, as well as his efforts to preserve his autonomy amid ] bureaucracy.<ref name="Achanging">{{cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Binelli |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/pope-francis-the-times-they-are-a-changin-20140128 |title=Pope Francis Cover Story: The Times They Are A-Changin' |magazine=] |date=28 January 2014 |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> He is a frequent user of ]s; he reportedly has never owned a computer or ].<ref name="Achanging"/>

During Francis's 2015 trip to Cuba, American-based AP and British-based Reuters highlighted the religious aspect of the pope's journey while ], the Cuban ] 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.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Thomson|first1=T. J.|last2=Perreault|first2=Gregory|last3=Duffy|first3=Margaret|date=17 January 2017|title=Politicians, Photographers, and a Pope|journal=Journalism Studies|volume=19|issue=9|pages=1313–1330|doi=10.1080/1461670X.2016.1268929|s2cid=152110990|issn=1461-670X|url=https://eprints.qut.edu.au/119023/7/119023.pdf}}</ref>

In December 2013, both '']'' and '']'' magazines named the Pontiff as their "Person of the Year"; ''Esquire'' magazine named him as the "Best-dressed man" for 2013, citing his simpler vestments.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/pope-francis-named-esquires-best-dressed-man-of-2013--but-why-20140101-hv7ab.html |title=Pope Francis named Esquire's 'Best Dressed Man of 2013' – but why?|first=Michael|last=McGough|date=1 January 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> '']'' magazine followed in January 2014 by making the Pontiff their featured front cover.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/pope-francis-gentle-revolution-inside-rolling-stones-new-issue-49840/ |magazine=] |title=Pope Francis' Gentle Revolution: Inside Rolling Stone's New Issue |date=28 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://poy.time.com/2013/12/11/person-of-the-year-pope-francis-the-peoples-pope/ |magazine=]|title=Person of the Year 2013 |date=11 December 2013}}</ref> '']'' magazine also ranked Francis as number one in their list of 50 greatest leaders.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/gallery/leadership/2014/03/20/worlds-best-leaders.fortune/ |publisher=]|first=Geoff |last=Colvin |title=Fortune ranks the World's 50 Greatest Leaders |date=20 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331010527/http://money.cnn.com/gallery/leadership/2014/03/20/worlds-best-leaders.fortune |archive-date=31 March 2014}}</ref> He was included in '']'' lists of ] in 2014<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2014/11/05/2014-ranking-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-people/|title=2014 Ranking of the World's Most Powerful People|date=11 May 2014|work=]|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> and 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=M. Ewalt|first1=David|title=The World's Most Powerful People 2016|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2016/12/14/the-worlds-most-powerful-people-2016/|access-date=3 March 2017|work=]}}</ref>

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").<ref name="nofrills" /> A street in ], Argentina, was renamed ''Papa Francisco'' in his honour.<ref name="street">Ho, Erica, , ''Time'', 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013</ref> The ] passed legislation to mint a ] as a tribute to Francis in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/27/world/americas/argentina-pope-francis-coin/index.html |title=Argentina weighs putting Pope Francis' face on a coin |publisher=]|author=Catherine E. Shoichet|date=28 November 2013|access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/blog/2013/12/04/Commemorative-pope-coin-may-be-coming-soon/4511386162810/|work=United Press International|title=Commemorative pope coin may be coming soon|author=JC Finley}}</ref> As of 2013, sales of papal souvenirs, a sign of popularity, were up.<ref name="NYT52513">{{cite news|title=Francis' Humility and Emphasis on the Poor Strike a New Tone at the Vatican|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/world/europe/pope-francis-changes-tone-at-the-vatican.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526035144/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/world/europe/pope-francis-changes-tone-at-the-vatican.html |archive-date=26 May 2013 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=26 May 2013|work=]|date=25 May 2013|first=Rachel|last=Donadio|quote=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.}}</ref>

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, a few weeks before the start of the 5–19 October ] (the Synod on the Family).<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 7 November 2015 | work = BBC News| date= 14 September 2014 | title= Pope marries 20 cohabiting couples in sign of papacy shift| url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29198491}}</ref>{{efn|] did not do this during his eight-year reign from 2005 to 2013; his predecessor, ], 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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Glatz |first=Carol |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2014/pope-francis-to-preside-over-joint-september-wedding-at-vatican.cfm |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 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 May 2018 |title=Pope Francis to preside over joint September wedding at Vatican |date=29 August 2014 |publisher=Catholic News Service |access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref>}}

In 2016, Francis became the first pope to create an ] account.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/pope-francis-instagram-franciscus.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319121740/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/pope-francis-instagram-franciscus.html |archive-date=19 March 2016 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Get Ready, Internet. The Pope Has Joined Instagram. |first=Liam |last=Stack |date=19 March 2016 |access-date=5 March 2021 |newspaper=]}}</ref> He broke records after having gained over one million followers in under twelve hours of the account being up.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/03/19/technology/instagram-pope-francis-account/|title=Pope Francis gains 1 million Instagram followers in under 12 hours|author=Ahiza Garcia|date=19 March 2016|work=]|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|date=24 January 2019|title=Pope highlights pros and cons of internet and social media use – Vatican News|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-01/pope-highlights-pros-and-cons-of-internet-and-social-media-use.html|access-date=17 February 2021|website=www.vaticannews.va|language=en}}</ref> On 26 November 2020 Francis became the first pope to write an op-ed for ''The New York Times''; in the article, he addressing issues such as COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings and the need for global solidarity.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Pope Francis|date=26 November 2020|title=Pope Francis: A Crisis Reveals What Is in Our Hearts|language=en-US|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/26/opinion/pope-francis-covid.html|access-date=17 February 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Choi|first=Joseph|date=26 November 2020|title=Pope Francis swipes at groups protesting COVID-19 restrictions in NYT op-ed|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/527707-pope-francis-swipes-at-groups-protesting-covid-19-restrictions-in-nyt-op-ed|access-date=17 February 2021|website=]|language=en}}</ref>

===The role of the church in society===
Pope Francis is interested in and involved in the role the ] can play in society. Pope Francis criticized both U.S. presidential candidate ]'s anti-immigration policies and ]'s abortion policies as "against life."<ref>.''CNN.'' 24 September 2024.</ref><ref>.''Forbes.'' 25 September 2024.</ref> He said both are against life and encouraged people of conscience to choose the ].<ref name="bbc.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkdmdg78jgo | title=Pope Francis urges Catholics to pick 'lesser evil' between Trump and Harris }}</ref><ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/100000009691400/pope-francs-us-election.html | title=Video: Pope Francis Urges U.S. Voters to Choose the 'Lesser of Two Evils' | work=The New York Times | date=13 September 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-kamala-harris-donald-trump-both-against-life-abortion-immigration/ | title=Pope Francis says Kamala Harris and Donald Trump "both against life" for stances on abortion, immigration - CBS News | website=] | date=13 September 2024 }}</ref> He said voters with a conscience should think about who is more evil and who they should elect. He said that the policy of deporting immigrants, the policy of borders, is inhumane. And the policy of killing children in their mother's womb, artificially, is evil.<ref name="bbc.com"/><ref name="nytimes.com"/>

==Health==
In 2021, the pope's health problems prompted rumors that he might resign,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gagliarducci |first1=Andrea |title=Analysis: What's behind rumors that Pope Francis will resign? |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248814/will-pope-francis-resign |access-date=2 September 2021 |work=Catholic News Agency |date=31 August 2021}}</ref> which Francis dismissed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Pope denies resignation report, says leads normal life after surgery |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/pope-denies-resignation-report-says-093137157.html |access-date=2 September 2021 |work=Yahoo! |agency=]|date=2 September 2021}}</ref> In June 2022, after undergoing treatment to the knee, Francis canceled planned trips to the ] and ] on the advice of his doctors.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope Francis cancels trip to Congo and South Sudan over health issues |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220610-pope-francis-cancels-trip-to-congo-and-south-sudan-over-health-issues |access-date=12 June 2022 |work=France24 |date=11 June 2022}}</ref> In an interview with ] that month, Francis said that he had not considered resigning but would do so if his health made it impossible for him to run the church.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |date=4 July 2022 |title=EXCLUSIVE Pope Francis denies he is planning to resign soon |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-pope-francis-denies-he-is-planning-resign-soon-2022-07-04/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704083806/https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-pope-francis-denies-he-is-planning-resign-soon-2022-07-04/ |archive-date=4 July 2022}}</ref> During his trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in February 2023, Francis said papal resignations should not become a "fashion" and that resignation was "not in his agenda at the moment".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Popes are for life, resignations should not become a fashion, Francis says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/popes-are-life-resignations-should-not-become-fashion-francis-says-2023-02-16/ |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=]|date=16 February 2023}}</ref> Nearly one million people came for Pope Francis's Mass in Kinshasa in the DRC. He told people to "put down your arms and embrace mercy".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/01/africa/pope-francis-drc-kinshasa-mass-intl/index.html|title=Pope Francis attracts more than one million worshippers to DRC Mass|accessdate=1 February 2023|website=]|date=February 2023 }}</ref>

]
In March 2023, Francis was hospitalized in Rome with a respiratory infection.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghiglione |first1=Davide |last2=Davies |first2=Alys |title=Pope Francis in hospital with respiratory infection |work=] |date=29 March 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65117270 |access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> He returned to celebrate public Mass at the ] Mass on ], for the first time since recovering from bronchitis.<ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Emilio |first1=Frances |date=8 April 2023 |title=Pope Francis returns to public eye for Easter vigil Mass |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-easter-vigil-basilica-b521343b26ea2d74bb135a0b9aeaebf6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408184929/https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-easter-vigil-basilica-b521343b26ea2d74bb135a0b9aeaebf6 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |access-date=9 April 2023 |website=]}}</ref>

In June 2023, Pope Francis underwent abdominal surgery after suffering from a ]. The Pope received the surgery at Gemelli Hospital, and spent several days in the hospital while recovering.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Sofia |last1=Betiza |first2=Nicholas |last2=Yong |date=7 June 2023 |title=Pope Francis, 86, to have abdominal surgery |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65821047 |access-date=7 June 2023 |website=] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Francis has publicly used a wheelchair since 2022, initially due to persistent knee pain which required an operation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Giuffrida |first1=Angela |title=Pope Francis uses wheelchair in public for the first time |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/05/pope-francis-uses-wheelchair-in-public-for-the-first-time |website=] |access-date=22 October 2024 |date=5 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pope says he'll slow down or retire after relying on wheelchair and walker during Canada trip |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-says-ll-slow-retire-relying-wheelchair-walker-canada-trip-rcna40784 |website=] |access-date=22 October 2024 |date=30 July 2022}}</ref> He acknowledged that his recurring mobility problems had precipitated the beginning of what ] termed "a new, slower phase of his papacy",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Pope says that with frailty and age, he is in new phase of papacy |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-says-that-with-frailty-age-he-is-new-phase-papacy-2022-07-30/ |website=Reuters |access-date=22 October 2024 |date=30 July 2022}}</ref> although he was praised by disabled Catholics for his example, and making his "disability part of his visible identity".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hertzler-McCain |first1=Aleja |title=Disabled Catholics praise pope's example in publicly using a wheelchair |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/disabled-catholics-praise-popes-example-publicly-using-wheelchair |website=] |access-date=22 October 2024 |date=17 August 2022}}</ref>

On 7 December 2024 Pope Francis was seen at St. Peter's Basilica with a wide bruise on his chin. Francis was at the Basilica to ceremoniously install 21 new cardinals of the church.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=December 7, 2024 |title=Pope creates 21 cardinals, many of them reformers in their own right, to carry out his reform plans |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-cardinals-pope-7b4c2e55b2f0d42436a6ec65182e489a |access-date=December 7, 2024 |website=Associated Press}}</ref> The bruise was caused when Francis had hit his chin on his night stand the morning prior. This resulted in a ] and visible bruising according to a Vatican spokesperson.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-07 |title=Pope Francis presides over ceremony for new cardinals with wide bruise on his chin |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-bruise-chin-health-cardinals-consistory-a4329e36f9e36809511f0b461155b396 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

==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 ] used for popes.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/894991536|title=Annuario pontificio|publisher=Libr. Ed. Vaticana|oclc=894991536}}</ref>

===Foreign orders===
* {{flagu|Bolivia}}: ]: Grand Collar of the ] (9 July 2015)<ref name="CondorDeLosAndes">{{cite news |url=http://www.presidencia.gob.bo/fuente/noticia.php?cod=3363#contenido |title=Presidente Evo Morales distingue con el Cóndor de Los Andes al Papa Francisco |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709162549/http://www.presidencia.gob.bo/fuente/noticia.php?cod=3363#contenido |archive-date=9 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="CrucifixThis">{{cite web |url=http://d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2015/07/crucifix_this.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=D2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net |access-date=22 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008051929/http://d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2015/07/crucifix_this.jpg |archive-date=8 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flagu|Bolivia}}: Order of Merit "Father Luis Espinal Camps" (9 July 2015)<ref name="CondorDeLosAndes" /><ref name="CrucifixThis" />
* {{flagu|Poland}}: ]: ] (26 April 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pope2016.com/en/faith/catholic-church/francis/news,466184,pope-francis-receives-order-of-the-smile.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160910222831/http://www.pope2016.com/en/faith/catholic-church/francis/news,466184,pope-francis-receives-order-of-the-smile.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2016|title=Pope Francis receives Order of the Smile – Francis – Catholic Church – Faith – Pope in Poland 2016 – press center |work=pope2016.com|access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref>

===Awards===
* {{flagu|Germany}}: ] of ] 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope Francis to be awarded Charlemagne Prize on 6 May |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/es/press-room/20160502IPR25453/pope-francis-to-be-awarded-charlemagne-prize-on-6-may |work=] |date=2 May 2016|via=www.europarl.europa.eu}}</ref>
* "Person of the Year" by ] (2015) for his request that all Catholics be kind to animals.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=White |first1=Daniel |title=Pope Francis Is PETA's Person of the Year |url=https://time.com/4130961/peta-pope-francis/ |magazine=]|date=1 December 2015}}</ref>
*Francis was made an honourary ] on 7 May 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pope-francis-has-joined-the-harlem-globetrotters-10233040.html|title=Pope Francis got a new gig this week...as a basketball player|date=7 May 2015|website=]|access-date=5 May 2019}}</ref>
*Francis was granted an honourary ] by ] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Pope Granted Honorary Taekwondo Black Belt at Meeting in V.. |url=https://m.worldtaekwondo.org/wtnews/view.html?nid=27153 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=m.worldtaekwondo.org}}</ref>
*Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in October 2020 for significant contributions to the service of humanity from around the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope meets with Zayed Award judging panel |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-10/zayed-award-higher-committee-human-fraternity-award-2021-panel.html |work=] |date=23 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nominations open for 2021 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-10/nominations-zayed-award-human-fraternity-document.html |work=] |date=20 October 2020}}</ref>
*{{flagu|Brazil}}: Francis was awarded the Medalha Mérito Legislativo by the ] in November 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Câmara condecora 32 personalidades com o Mérito Legislativo, entre elas Bolsonaro e papa Francisco Fonte: Agência Câmara de Notícias |url=https://www.camara.leg.br/noticias/830707-camara-condecora-32-personalidades-com-o-merito-legislativo-entre-elas-bolsonaro-e-papa-francisco/ |work=] |date=24 November 2021 |language=pt}}</ref>
*Grand Chief ] gifted Pope Francis with the Indigenous Name Wapikihew (White Eagle) on behalf of the ] and presented him with a tradition Cree ] following the Pope's apology to the ] at ], Alberta on 25 July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chief Wilton Littlechild greets Pope Francis in Maskwacis, Alberta |url=https://slmedia.org/blog/chief-wilton-littlechild-greets-pope-francis-in-maskwacis-alberta |access-date=2 August 2022 |website=slmedia.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=David Staples: What to make of outcry over Indigenous leader bestowing headdress on Pope Francis? |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/david-staples-what-to-make-of-outcry-over-indigenous-leader-bestowing-headdress-on-pope-francis |access-date=2 August 2022 |website=edmontonjournal |language=en-CA}}</ref>

===Honorific eponyms and dedications===
] in ], ]]]

* {{flagu|Philippines}}: The Pope Francis Center for the Poor – ] (12 July 2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=59702|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713221857/http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=59702|url-status=usurped|archive-date=13 July 2015|title=Palo's Pope Francis Center now houses abandoned elderly, orphans|publisher=Catholic's Bishop Conference of the Philippines}}</ref>
* ] 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 ] and was attended by former Italian President ] and other dignitaries.<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604092628/http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=12223 |date=4 June 2016 }}". EWTN. Published: 12 June 2015.</ref><ref>"". Rome Reports. Published: 12 June 2015.</ref><ref>. RAI 5. (Napolitano appears at 32:41 and greets Morricone at 33:07) {{in lang|it}}</ref>
* The composer ] dedicated his work ''Klangrede – Sonnengesang des ]'', for choir (SATB) and instruments – to Pope Francis (''Suae Sanctitati Papae Francisci dedicat''). First performance: Capella Mariana 4 October 2015.<ref>In: ''Offenbarungen – Tage Neuer Kirchenmusik''. Begleitheft, München 2015, S. 15.</ref>
* The rodent species ''] franciscorum'', discovered in 2016, was named after both Pope Francis and ], a victim of the ].<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Pardiñas | first1 = U. F. J. | last2 = Teta | first2 = P. | last3 = Salazar-Bravo | first3 = J. | last4 = Myers | first4 = P. | last5 = Galliari | first5 = C. A. | year = 2016 | doi = 10.1093/jmammal/gyw070 | pages = 1177–1196 | title = A new species of arboreal rat, genus 'Oecomys' (Rodentia, Cricetidae) from Chaco | journal = Journal of Mammalogy | volume = 97 | issue = 4| doi-access = free | hdl = 11336/36873 | hdl-access = free }}</ref>

===Appreciation===
In the ] '']'' by ] (music) written on a ] by ] ], the figure of Francis appears next to ], ], and ]. In the oratorio, Pope Franziskus suggests a bridge from the crucifixion scene on ] 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 ]s '']'' and '']'' were used. The motto of the ] also plays a central role.<ref name="Laudato si-score">{{cite book | last1 = Reulein | first1 = Peter | author-link = Peter Reulein | last2 = Schlegel | first2 = Helmut | author-link2 = Helmut Schlegel | title = Laudato si' / Ein franziskanisches Magnificat | publisher = ] | location = ] | year = 2016 | isbn = 978-3-943302-34-9 | page = 230 | ismn = 979-0-50226-047-7}}</ref> The oratorio was premiered on 6 November 2016 in the ].<ref name="Laudato si-Liebfrauen">{{cite web | url = http://www.liebfrauen.net/meldung_volltext.php?si=5807238ed0bee&id=57f955bfc9ddd&view=&lang=&akt=musikkunstkultur_musikmeldungen&k1=main&k2=musikkunstkultur&k3=musikmeldungen&k4= | title = Festkonzert zum Jubiläum des Referates Kirchenmusik / Laudato si' – Oratorium von Peter Reulein (Uraufführung) | publisher = ] | year = 2016 | language = de | access-date = 25 December 2016 | archive-date = 19 October 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161019155601/http://www.liebfrauen.net/meldung_volltext.php?si=5807238ed0bee&id=57f955bfc9ddd&view=&lang=&akt=musikkunstkultur_musikmeldungen&k1=main&k2=musikkunstkultur&k3=musikmeldungen&k4= | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Coat of arms==
{{Main|Coat of arms of Pope Francis}}
{{Further|Papal coats of arms}}
{{Infobox COA wide
| image = Coat of arms of Franciscus.svg
| bannerimage =
| badgeimage =
| notes = Pope Francis's initial ] by the ] was as ], when he was Cardinal Bergoglio,<ref name= NCR>{{cite news |title=Pope stresses simplicity, ecumenism in inaugural Mass plans |url= http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-stresses-simplicity-ecumenism-inaugural-mass-plans|newspaper= ] |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013}}</ref> in which the depiction of the Star and Spikenard were ] ].<br />Following his election as ] these are now tinctured ]. The first version of ]'s arms released by the ] depicted a five-pointed Star from Bergoglio's archiepiscopal version, but upon election as Pope his ] assumed an eight-pointed star with the representation of the spikenard also being suitably differenced.
| adopted = 18 March 2013
| crest = ''Not applicable to ]s''
| torse =
| helm = ] ]
| escutcheon = ''Azure on a Sun in Splendour Or the ] ensigned with a ] fiché piercing the ] Gules all above three Nails fanwise points to centre Sable, and in dexter base a Mullet of eight points and in sinister base a ] Or''<ref>{{cite web|title=Wedvick of Jarlsby&nbsp;– Religious/Francis, H. H. Pope 3 |url=http://wedvickofjarlsby.org/webvick-gallery/displayimage.php?album=7&pos=24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206134335/http://wedvickofjarlsby.org/webvick-gallery/displayimage.php?album=7&pos=24 |archive-date=6 December 2013 }}</ref>
| supporters =
| compartment =
| motto = '''''MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO'''''<br /> (] for "''BY GIVING MERCY AND BY CHOOSING''")
| orders =
| other_elements = ] behind ]'s ] and ]
| banner = ]
| badge =
| symbolism = (On the shield) ''Jesuit emblem'': In reference to Francis being a ], the uppermost charge on the shield is the emblem of the ].<ref name="OR">{{cite web | url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/stemma-papa-francesco_it.html | title=Lo Stemma di Papa Francesco | publisher=] | date=18 March 2013 | access-date=18 March 2013 | language=it}}</ref> This ] displays a radiating sun within which is the ] of the ] in red, with a red cross surmounting the ] and three black nails below the ].<ref name="OR" /> ''Eight-pointed star'': a long-standing symbol of the ]. '']'' alias nard: this flower represents ]; in ] iconographic tradition St Joseph is often depicted holding a branch of spikenard.<ref name="VIS">{{cite web | url=http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-miserando-atque-eligendo | title=Pope Francis: "Miserando atque eligendo"... | publisher=] | date=18 March 2013 | access-date=18 March 2013 | archive-date=18 October 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018143713/http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-miserando-atque-eligendo | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| previous_versions =
}}

==Writings==
{{Main|Pope Francis bibliography}}

Pope Francis has written a variety of books, encyclicals, and other writings.

==Music album==
{{Main|Wake Up! (Pope Francis album)}}
'']'' was released on 27 November 2015 by the label Believe Digital and contains speeches by Francis and accompanying music, including rock music.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pope Francis: "Wake Up!"|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/wake-up%21-mr0004476247|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pope Francis has released a rock album|work=]|date=20 November 2015|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34863904/pope-francis-has-released-a-rock-album|access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com/|title=Pope Francis Wake Up! Music Album with His Words and Prayers|website=Popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131013503/http://popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Films==

===Documentary film===
By 2015, there were two biographical films about Francis: '']'' (Italy, 2015), starring ], and '']'' (Argentina, 2015), starring ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Vivarelli|first=Nick|date=13 January 2015|title=Battle of the Pope Francis Biopics Begins With Two Films Shooting in Buenos Aires|work=]|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/global/battle-of-the-pope-francis-biopics-begins-with-two-films-shooting-in-buenos-aires-1201403994/|access-date=15 May 2015}}</ref>

'']'' is a documentary film with Swiss-Italian-French-German co-production, co-written and directed by ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/05/pope-francis-a-man-of-his-word-cannes-wim-wenders-documentary-pontiff-1201966111/ |title='Pope Francis: A Man of His Word': Wim Wenders Grilled the Pontiff and Left Amazed |first=Anne |last=Thompson |date=18 May 2018 |access-date=9 February 2020 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> It premiered at the ] and was released in the United States on 18 May 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/cannes-film-review-pope-francis-a-man-of-his-word-1202809055/ |title=Film Review: 'Pope Francis: A Man of His Word' |first=Andrew |last=Barker |date=13 May 2018 |access-date=9 February 2020 |magazine=] |publisher=]}}</ref> It includes extensive sections of interviews as well as stock footage from archives.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-spiritual-nearness-of-wim-wenderss-pope-francis-a-man-of-his-word |title=The Spiritual Nearness of Wim Wenders's "Pope Francis: Man of His Word" |first=Paul |last=Elie |date=21 May 2018 |access-date=9 February 2020 |magazine=] }}</ref>

On 21 October 2020, the documentary '']'' directed by film producer ] premiered.<ref name="Vatican News-2020">{{cite web|date=21 October 2020|title="Francesco": new documentary on the life and teaching of Pope Francis|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/new-film-documentary-francesco-pope-francis-rome-film-fesival.html|access-date=23 October 2020|website=Vatican News|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Winfield-2020">{{cite web|last=Winfield|first=Nicole|date=21 October 2020|title=Francis becomes 1st pope to endorse same-sex civil unions|url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-endorse-same-sex-civil-unions-eb3509b30ebac35e91aa7cbda2013de2|access-date=22 October 2020|website=]}}</ref>

On 4 October 2022, the documentary '']'' premiered on YouTube Originals, directed by Nicolas Brown and produced by Off The Fence in partnership with ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/global/youtube-doc-the-letter-a-message-for-our-earth-featuring-pope-francis-1235392482/ |title=Pope Francis YouTube Doc 'The Letter: A Message For Our Earth' Launches From Vatican City – Trailer |work=Variety |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=4 October 2022 |access-date=5 December 2022}}</ref>

===Portrayal in film===
Francis is played by ] in the ] ] film '']'' (2019), costarring with ] who plays ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/you-couldnt-help-but-be-moved-spiritually-anthony-hopkins-and-jonathan-pryce-interviewed/ |title='You couldn't help but be moved spiritually': Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce interviewed |first=Gabrielle |last=Donnlly |date=19 December 2019 |access-date=9 February 2020 |newspaper=]}}</ref>

==See also==
<!-- WP says entries here are a question of judgment and suggests "See also" is a place for links that would be present in a comprehensive article on the topic. Surely there are more. -->
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist|refs=

<ref name= opening>{{cite news | url = http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/12/08/opening-the-holy-year-francis-says-mercy-always-trumps-judgment/ | title = Opening the Holy Year, Francis says mercy always trumps judgment | first = Inés | last = San Martín | date = 8 December 2015 | access-date = 8 December 2015 | work = Crux | archive-date = 5 January 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160105174730/http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/12/08/opening-the-holy-year-francis-says-mercy-always-trumps-judgment/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

<ref name=Misericordiae>. ''The Holy See''. Retrieved 8 May 2015.</ref>

<ref name=trials>, Vatican Radio. Retrieved 8 September 2015</ref>

<ref name=burke>{{cite news |url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/03/pope-i-was-once-a-bar-bouncer/ |title=Pope: I was once a bar bouncer |last=Burke |first=Daniel |publisher=CNN |date=3 December 2013 |access-date=3 December 2013 |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223100810/https://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/03/pope-i-was-once-a-bar-bouncer/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!-- --><ref name="Vatican Today-2013">{{cite web |title=New Pope Francis visits St. Mary Major, collects suitcases and pays bill at hotel |publisher=The Vatican Today |date=14 March 2013 |url=http://www.news.va/en/news/new-pope-francis-visits-st-mary-major-collects-sui |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317025225/http://www.news.va/en/news/new-pope-francis-visits-st-mary-major-collects-sui |archive-date=17 March 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!-- --><ref name="The Guardian-2013a">{{cite news |title=Pope Francis explains decision to take St Francis of Assisi's name |newspaper=] |date=16 March 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/16/pope-francis-st-francis-assisi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317092441/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/16/pope-francis-st-francis-assisi |archive-date=17 March 2013 |location=London |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!-- --><ref name="The Guardian-2013b">{{cite news |title=Pope Francis's missing lung should not be a problem, say doctors |newspaper=] |date=14 March 2013
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-missing-lung-doctors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314201720/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-missing-lung-doctors |archive-date=14 March 2013 |location=London |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!-- --><ref name="Vatican: It's Pope Francis, not Pope Francis I">{{cite news |title= Vatican: It's Pope Francis, not Pope Francis I |first=Emily |last=Alpert |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=13 March 2013 |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-vatican-pope-francis-name-20130313,0,1309501.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315094438/http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-vatican-pope-francis-name-20130313,0,1309501.story |archive-date=15 March 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!-- --><ref name="Park-2013">{{cite magazine |title=Why Pope Francis Only Has One Lung |first=Alice |last=Park |magazine=] |date=13 March 2013 |url=https://healthland.time.com/2013/03/13/why-pope-francis-only-has-one-lung/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314175755/http://healthland.time.com/2013/03/13/why-pope-francis-only-has-one-lung/ |archive-date=14 March 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name=Chua>{{cite magazine|last=Chua|first=Howard|url=https://poy.time.com/2013/12/11/person-of-the-year-pope-francis-the-peoples-pope/print/|title=TIME's Person of the Year 2013 Pope Francis, The People's Pope|magazine=]|date=11 December 2013|access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=Remeseira>Claudio Iván Remeseira: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027154107/http://nbclatino.com/2013/03/14/pope-francis-a-humble-and-outspoken-man-and-technically-also-italian/ |date=27 October 2014 }} ], 14 March 2013</ref><ref name=Garrido>{{cite news|last=Garrido|first=J.|title=Vida y trayectoria de Bergoglio en seis capítulos|url=http://diario.latercera.com/2013/03/16/01/contenido/reportajes/25-132222-9-vida-y-trayectoria-de-bergoglio-en-seis-capitulos.shtml|access-date=24 March 2013|publisher=La Tercera|date=16 March 2013|archive-date=20 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320040835/http://diario.latercera.com/2013/03/16/01/contenido/reportajes/25-132222-9-vida-y-trayectoria-de-bergoglio-en-seis-capitulos.shtml
|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name=biografia>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio_en.html|title=Vatican Web site, from L'Osservatore Romano, Year LXIII, number 12: biography of the Holy Father Francis|publisher= Holy See|access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=Sivori>{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1564076-el-extasis-familiar-por-el-loco-de-la-guerra|title= Regina María Sívori, su mamá|newspaper= La Nación|date= 17 March 2013|access-date=19 March 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|last=Rice-Oxley|first=Mark|title=Pope Francis: the humble pontiff with practical approach to poverty|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/13/jorge-mario-bergoglio-pope-poverty|access-date=13 March 2013|work=]|date=13 March 2013|location=London}}</ref>

<ref name=Donovan>{{cite news|last=Donovan|first= Jeffrey|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-13/argentina-s-cardinal-jorge-bergoglio-is-elected-pope-francis-i.html |title=Argentina's Cardinal Bergoglio Is Elected Pope Francis|publisher=]|date=13 March 2013|access-date=13 March 2013|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

<ref name=Henderson>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9928921/Pope-Francis-elected-leader-of-Catholic-Church-live.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314193835/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9928921/Pope-Francis-elected-leader-of-Catholic-Church-live.html|url-status=dead
|archive-date=14 March 2013|title=Pope Francis elected leader of Catholic Church: latest|first=Barney|last=Henderson|newspaper=]|date=14 March 2013|access-date=14 March 2013|location=London}}</ref>

<ref name=time>. (11 April 2015). Retrieved 8 May 2015.</ref>

<ref name=Tribune>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-pope-family-members-killed-20140819-story.html|title=3 relatives of pope killed in crash in Argentina|date=19 August 2014|work= Chicago Tribune|access-date=4 October 2014}}</ref>

<ref name=nephews>{{cite web |url = http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403476.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140819160527/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403476.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date = 19 August 2014|title = CNS STORY: Pope asks prayers after great nephews, their mother die in car crash |access-date = 4 October 2014}}</ref>

<!-- <ref name=Lorenzo>{{cite web|url=http://www.sanlorenzo.com.ar/noticia.php?codigo=45|title=Pope Francis is a card-carrying San Lorenzo supporter|date=14 March 2013|author=Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro|author-link=Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro}}</ref> -->

<ref name=aicabio>{{cite news|title=Bergoglio, sobre todo 'pastor', tanguero y simpatizante de San Lorenzo|language=es|url=http://www.aica.org/5517-bergoglio-sobre-todo-pastor-tanguero-simpatizante-de-san-lorenzo.html|access-date=19 March 2013|publisher=Agencia Informativa Católica Argentina|date=13 March 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="techniciandegree">{{cite journal|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1562738-bergoglio-un-sacerdote-jesuita-de-carrera|journal=La Nación|title=Jorge Bergoglio, un sacerdote jesuita de carrera|trans-title=Jorge Bergoglio, a career Jesuit priest|date=13 March 2013|language=es|access-date=14 March 2013|archive-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216141857/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1562738-bergoglio-un-sacerdote-jesuita-de-carrera|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!-- <ref name="bio">{{cite news|title=Biography: who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/biography-who-is-jorge-mario-bergoglio|access-date=15 March 2013
|publisher=News.va|date=13 March 2013|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018141414/http://www.news.va/en/news/biography-who-is-jorge-mario-bergoglio|url-status=dead}}</ref> -->

<ref name=Clarin>{{cite news|title=Su etapa de laboratorista|url=http://contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html#/8/|access-date=17 March 2013|newspaper=Clarín|date=17 March 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="reuters">{{cite news|last=Lifschitz|first=Alejandro|title=Argentina's pope a modest man focused on the poor|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-succession-bergoglio-idUSBRE92C15X20130313|access-date=14 March 2013|work=]|date=13 March 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|last1=Gallagher|first1=Delia|last2=Burke|first2=Daniel|title=Conservatives accuse the Pope of spreading heresy|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/25/world/pope-heresy/index.html|access-date=2 December 2017|publisher=]|date=26 September 2017}}</ref>

}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last= Allen|first=John L.|title=The Francis Miracle: Inside the Transformation of the Pope and the Church|year= 2015|publisher= ]|location= New York|isbn= 978-1-61893-131-3}}
*{{cite book | last = Borghesi | first = Massimo | translator-last = Hudock | translator-first = Barry | date = 2018 | orig-year = Italian original, 2017 | title = The Mind of Pope Francis: Jorge Mario Bergoglio's Intellectual Journey | publisher = Liturgical Press | place = Collegeville, Minnesota | isbn = 978-0-8146-8790-1 }}
*{{Cite book|title=Il Dissenso Soffocato: un'agenda per Papa Francesco|trans-title=Dissent Stifled: an agenda for Pope Francis|last1=Castagnaro|first1=Mauro|last2=Eugenio|first2=Ludovica|publisher=La Meridiana|year=2013|isbn=978-8861533240|location=Molfetta|author-link=Mauro Castagnaro}}
*{{Cite book|title=The Dictator Pope: The Inside Story of the Francis Papacy|last=Colonna|first=Marcantonio|publisher=Regnery Publishing|year=2018|isbn=978-1-62157-832-1|location=Washington, DC|author-link=Henry Sire|title-link=The Dictator Pope}}
*{{Cite book|title=To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism|last=Douthat|first=Ross|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=2018|isbn=978-1-5011-4692-3|location=New York|author-link=Ross Douthat}}
* {{cite book |last= Ivereigh|first=Austen|title= The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope|year= 2014|publisher= Henry Holt|location= New York|isbn= 978-1-62779-157-1}}
*{{Cite book|title=Lost Shepherd: How Pope Francis is Misleading His Flock|last=Lawler|first=Philip F.|publisher=Regnery Gateway|year=2018|isbn=978-1-62157-722-5|location=Washington DC}}
* {{cite book |last= Reato|first= Ceferino|date= 2015|title= Doce noches|trans-title= Twelve nights|language= es|location= Argentina|publisher= Sudamericana|isbn= 978-950-07-5203-9}}
* {{cite book |last1= Rosales|first1= Luis|last2=Olivera|first2=Daniel|date= 2013|title= Francis: A pope for our time|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7fX-AAAAQBAJ|location= United States|publisher= Umanix Books|isbn= 978-1-63006-002-2|access-date= 6 May 2014}}
* {{cite book |last1= Rubin|first1= Sergio|last2= Ambrogetti|first2= Francesca|title= El Jesuita|trans-title=The jesuit|year= 2010|edition= 1|language=es|publisher= Vergara Editor|location= Argentina|isbn= 978-950-15-2450-5|title-link= El Jesuita}}
* {{cite book |last= Vallely|first=Paul|title=Pope Francis: Untying the Knots: The Struggle for the Soul of Catholicism. |year= 2015 |edition= Revised and expanded|publisher= Bloomsbury|location= London |isbn= 978-1-4729-0370-9}}
* {{cite book |last= Willey|first=David|title=The Promise of Francis: The Man, the Pope, and the Challenge of Change|year= 2015|publisher= Simon & Schuster|location= New York|isbn= 978-1-4767-8905-7}}
* {{Cite web |last=Liedl |first=Jonathan |title=Francis' Pontificate Turns 10: Outward-Facing Emphasis Has Shaken Up Church's Inner Equilibrium |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/francis-pontificate-turns-10-uil8q6nh|access-date=7 March 2023 |website=] |date=6 March 2023 |language=en}}

==External links==
{{external media
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{{Library resources box|by=yes|viaf=68559410}}
* &nbsp;– Vatican web site
** {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018141414/http://www.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)
* {{C-SPAN|69980}}

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Latest revision as of 22:32, 24 December 2024

Head of the Catholic Church since 2013

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Pope
Francis
Bishop of Rome
Pope Francis in 2021
ChurchCatholic Church
Papacy began13 March 2013
PredecessorBenedict XVI
Previous post(s)
Orders
Ordination13 December 1969
by Ramón José Castellano
Consecration27 June 1992
by Antonio Quarracino
Created cardinal21 February 2001
by John Paul II
Personal details
BornJorge Mario Bergoglio
(1936-12-17) 17 December 1936 (age 88)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
NationalityArgentine (with Vatican citizenship)
DenominationCatholic
ResidenceDomus Sanctae Marthae
Education
MottoMiserando atque eligendo
SignatureFrancis's signature
Coat of armsFrancis's coat of arms
Ordination history
History
Priestly ordination
Ordained byRamón José Castellano
Date13 December 1969
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorAntonio Cardinal Quarracino
Co-consecratorsUbaldo Calabresi and Emilio Ogñénovich
Date27 June 1992
PlaceBuenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral Edit this on Wikidata, Buenos Aires Edit this on Wikidata
Cardinalate
Elevated byPope John Paul II
Date21 February 2001
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by Pope Francis as principal consecrator
Horacio Ernesto Benites Astoul1 May 1999
Jorge Rubén Lugones30 July 1999
Jorge Eduardo Lozano25 March 2000
Joaquín Mariano Sucunza21 October 2000
José Antonio Gentico28 April 2001
Fernando Carlos Maletti18 September 2001
Andrés Stanovnik16 December 2001
Mario Aurelio Poli20 April 2002
Eduardo Horacio García16 August 2003
Adolfo Armando Uriona8 May 2004
Eduardo Maria Taussig25 September 2004
Raúl Martín20 May 2006
Hugo Manuel Salaberry Goyeneche21 August 2006
Óscar Vicente Ojea Quintana2 September 2006
Hugo Nicolás Barbaro4 July 2008
Enrique Eguía Seguí11 October 2008
Ariel Edgardo Torrado Mosconi13 December 2008
Luis Alberto Fernández Alara27 March 2009
Vicente Bokalic Iglic29 May 2010
Alfredo Horacio Zecca18 August 2011
Jean-Marie Antoine Joseph Speich24 October 2013
Giampiero Gloder24 October 2013
Fernando Vérgez Alzaga15 November 2013
Fabio Fabene30 May 2014
Angelo De Donatis9 November 2015
Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot19 March 2016
Peter Bryan Wells19 March 2016
Waldemar Stanisław Sommertag19 March 2018
Alfred Xuereb19 March 2018
José Avelino Bettencourt19 March 2018
Alberto Ricardo Lorenzelli Rossi22 June 2019
Michael F. Czerny4 October 2019
Paolo Borgia4 October 2019
Antoine Camilleri4 October 2019
Paolo Rudelli4 October 2019
Guido Marini17 October 2021
Andrés Gabriel Ferrada Moreira17 October 2021
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    Pope Francis (Latin: Franciscus; Italian: Francesco; Spanish: Francisco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936) is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He is the first pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order), 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 before training to be a chemist and working as a technician in a food science laboratory. After recovering from a severe case 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 known for 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. He maintains that the Catholic Church should be more sympathetic toward members of the LGBT community and has stated that while blessings of same-sex unions are not permitted, the individuals can be blessed, as long as the blessings are not given in a liturgical context. Francis is a critic of unbridled capitalism, consumerism and overdevelopment; he has made action on climate change a leading focus of his papacy. He is widely interpreted as denouncing the death penalty as intrinsically evil and has termed it "an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person" and "inadmissible", and states that the Catholic Church is committed to its abolition: there can be "no going back from this position", he observed.

    In international diplomacy, Francis has criticized the rise of right-wing populism, called for the decriminalization of homosexuality (though still considering same-sex acts as sinful), 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. He has called on the Western world to increase immigration levels significantly. In 2022, he apologized for the Church's role in the "cultural genocide" of the Canadian indigenous peoples. 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. In October 2024, it was revealed that Pope Francis would be the first pope to publish a memoir, Hope, which is set to appear in January 2025.

    Early years

    Jorge Mario Bergoglio (fourth boy from the left in the third row from the top) at age 12, Salesian College (c. 1948–1949)

    Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 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. 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). Two great-nephews, Antonio and Joseph, died in a traffic collision. His niece, Cristina Bergoglio, is a painter based in Madrid, Spain.

    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. 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. 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. As a Jesuit novice he studied humanities in Santiago, Chile. 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.

    In 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.

    Presbyterate (1969–1992)

    In 1967, Bergoglio began his theological studies at Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel. On 13 December 1969, he 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.

    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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

    He spent several months at the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology in Frankfurt, Germany, considering possible dissertation topics. 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. 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. 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.

    In 1992, Jesuit authorities asked Bergoglio not to live in Jesuit residences due to ongoing tensions with leaders and scholars, concerns about his "dissent," views on Catholic orthodoxy, opposition to liberation theology, and his role as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. As a bishop he was no longer subject to his Jesuit superior. 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, with Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, archbishop of Buenos Aires, serving as principal consecrator. He chose as his episcopal motto Miserando atque eligendo. 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".

    On 3 June 1997, Bergoglio was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires and succeeded as metropolitan archbishop after Quarracino's death on 28 February 1998. As archbishop, he established new parishes, restructured the archdiocese, led pro-life efforts, and formed a commission on divorces. 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. This work led to him being called the "Slum Bishop."

    Early in his tenure as archbishop, Bergoglio sold the archdiocese's bank shares and moved its accounts to regular international banks. This ended the church's high spending habits, which had nearly led to bankruptcy, and enforced stricter fiscal discipline.

    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. 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.

    Bergoglio regularly celebrated the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual in jails, hospitals, retirement homes, and slums. In 2007, shortly after Benedict XVI introduced new rules for pre-Vatican II liturgical forms, Cardinal Bergoglio established a weekly Mass in this extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.

    On 8 November 2005, Bergoglio was elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three-year term (2005–08). He was reelected to another three-year term on 11 November 2008. 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. 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.

    Cardinalate (2001–2013)

    Bergoglio on 18 June 2008 giving a catechesis

    On 21 February 2001, Pope John Paul II made Archbishop Bergoglio a cardinal, assigning him the title of cardinal priest of San Roberto Bellarmino, a Jesuit church. Bergoglio was installed there on 14 October. During his trip to Rome for the ceremony, he and his sister María Elena visited their father's hometown in northern Italy. 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, and, according to the Catholic Herald, created "a favourable impression as a man open to communion and dialogue".

    Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in 2008

    Cardinal Bergoglio was known for his personal humility, doctrinal conservatism, and commitment to social justice. His simple lifestyle, including living in a small apartment rather than the elegant bishop's residence, using public transportation, and cooking his own meals, enhanced his reputation for humility. He limited his time in Rome to "lightning visits." 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".

    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. 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. 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. The claims were based on a diary purportedly belonging to an anonymous cardinal who had been present at the conclave. 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. According to Tornielli, Bergoglio made this request to prevent the conclave from delaying too much in the election of a pope.

    As a cardinal, Bergoglio was associated with Communion and Liberation, a Catholic evangelical lay movement of the type known as associations of the faithful. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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, 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". Jalics initially refused to discuss the complaint after moving into seclusion in a German monastery. 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. 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."

    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. 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. Alicia Oliveira, a former Argentine judge, has also reported that Bergoglio helped people flee Argentina during the rule of the junta. Since Francis became pope, Gonzalo Mosca and José Caravias 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. 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." 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." Ricardo Lorenzetti, President of the Argentine Supreme Court, also has said that Bergoglio is "completely innocent" of the accusations. 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.

    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. 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.

    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. During Argentina's economic depression, the Catholic Church criticized the government's austerity measures, which worsened poverty. De la Rúa asked the church to facilitate dialogue between economic and political leaders to address the crisis. Although he claimed to have spoken with Bergoglio about participating, Bergoglio reportedly said the meeting was canceled due to a misunderstanding by De la Rúa's assistant. Bishop Jorge Casaretto doubts this, noting that De la Rúa only made the request in newspaper interviews, not formally to the church.

    In the 2001 elections, the Justicialist Party won a majority in Congress and appointed Ramón Puerta as Senate president. With Vice-president Carlos Álvarez having resigned, the opposing party was next in line. Bergoglio met with Puerta and was positively impressed. Puerta assured him that the Justicialist Party was not planning to oust De la Rúa and promised to support the president in advancing necessary legislation.

    During 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.

    Néstor and Cristina Kirchner

    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. Kirchner celebrated the national day elsewhere the following year and the Mass in the cathedral was suspended. 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. Kirchner considered Bergoglio as a political rival to the day he died in October 2010. 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. 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. Página/12 removed their controversial articles about Bergoglio, written by Horacio Verbitsky, from their web page, as a result of this change.

    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. 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.

    Papacy (2013–present)

    See also: Theology of Pope Francis § Vatican II revisited, and Theology of Pope Francis § Church leadership Coat of arms of Pope FrancisAs cardinalAs popeThe gold star represents the Virgin Mary, the grape-like plant—the spikenard—is associated with Saint Joseph and the IHS is the symbol of the Jesuits.

    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. 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. He is also the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. 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 were from northern Italy.

    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". 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. The next day, he visited Cardinal Jorge María Mejía in the hospital and chatted with patients and staff. 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 "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), French, Portuguese, and English, and he understands the Piedmontese language and some Genoese.

    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. Francis still appears at the window of the Apostolic Palace for the Sunday Angelus.

    As 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)."

    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.

    Election

    Main articles: 2013 papal conclave and Papal inauguration of Pope Francis
    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, the second day of the 2013 papal conclave, taking the papal name Francis. Francis was elected on the fifth ballot of the conclave. The Habemus papam announcement was delivered by the cardinal protodeacon, Jean-Louis Tauran. 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".

    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. During his first appearance as pontiff on the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica, he wore a white cassock, not the red, ermine-trimmed mozzetta used by previous popes. 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".

    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. In his homily Francis focused on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the liturgical day on which the Mass was celebrated.

    Name

    Francis in St. Peter's Square, two months after his election

    At 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. 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. 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."

    This 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.

    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. 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."

    Curia

    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. He named Alfred Xuereb as his personal secretary. 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. 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. He also abolished the €25,000 annual bonus paid to the cardinals serving on the Board of Supervisors for the Vatican bank.

    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. 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.

    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.

    Fouad Twal, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, included a call in his 2013 Easter homily for the pope to visit Jerusalem. Louis Raphael I, the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch, asked the pope to visit the "embattled Christian community" in Iraq. 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.

    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. 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. 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 "e ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace." 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".

    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".

    Thousands welcomed Francis in Guayaquil, Ecuador, 6 July 2015.

    In 2013, Francis initially reaffirmed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's programme to reform the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious, 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. 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.

    On 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."

    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. Some analysts see the creation of a truly synodal church as likely to become the greatest contribution of Francis's papacy.

    On 4 October 2023, Francis convened the beginnings of the Synod on Synodality (the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops). This synod is described as the culmination of his papacy and the most important event in the Church since the Second Vatican Council.

    Consultation with Catholic laity

    Francis in Quito, Ecuador, 2015

    A 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. In the same month Francis asked parishes to provide answers to an official questionnaire described as a "much broader consultation than just a survey" 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.

    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.

    The Catholic Church in England and Wales as of April 2014 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. 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.

    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 dealings. There had long been allegations of corruption and money laundering connected with the bank. 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. 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. 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. 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. There is uncertainty how far reforms can succeed.

    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. On 24 November 2013, Francis published his first major letter as pope, the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium, which he described as the programmatic of his papacy. On 18 June 2015, he published his first own, original encyclical Laudato si' concerning care for the planet. On 8 April 2016, Francis published his second apostolic exhortation, Amoris laetitia, 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.

    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.

    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".

    In February 2019, Francis acknowledged that priests and bishops were sexually abusing religious sisters. He addressed this and the clergy sex abuse scandal by convening a summit on clergy sexual abuse in Rome 21–24 February 2019. 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.

    On 30 September 2020, he published the apostolic letter Scripturae sacrae affectus to celebrate the 16th centenary of the death of Jerome.

    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.

    On 8 December 2020, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis published the apostolic letter Patris corde ("With a Father's Heart"). 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.

    On 1 June 2021, Francis published the apostolic constitution Pascite gregem Dei. The document reformed Vatican penal law by strengthening the penalties for sexual abuse and financial crimes; it also more harshly punishing the ordination of women.

    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". 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.

    Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue

    Main article: Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue of Pope Francis
    The stamp is dedicated to the pastoral visit of Francis to Azerbaijan on 2 October 2016.

    Pope Francis upheld the Second Vatican Council's tradition by promoting ecumenism with other Christian denominations, encouraging dialogue with other religions, and supporting peace with secular individuals.

    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, although he did not apply this restriction to clergy working in the Roman Curia or diplomatic corps, where careerism is an even greater concern.

    Canonizations and beatifications

    Main articles: List of saints canonized by Pope Francis, List of people beatified by Pope Francis, and List of people declared venerable by Pope Francis
    Francis on the occasion of the canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II on 27 April 2014

    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, 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.

    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. Francis canonized his two predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II on 27 April 2014 and canonized six additional saints the following 23 November. 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. Francis canonized Maria Elisabeth Hesselblad and Stanislaus Papczyński on 5 June 2016 and then canonized Teresa of Calcutta on 4 September; he canonized seven additional saints on 16 October. 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. Francis recognized seven saints, including his predecessor Pope Paul VI and Óscar Romero, on 14 October 2018. Francis later confirmed the equipollent canonization for Bartholomew of Braga in mid-2019. On 13 October 2019, Francis canonized five new saints, including Cardinal John Henry Newman. The pope confirmed the equipollent canonization for Margherita della Metola on 24 April 2021. On December 18, 2024, he also canonized the Carmelites of Compiègne by equipolence.

    The pope has also continued the practice of having beatifications celebrated in the place of the individual's origin, although 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. 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 Wyszyński (12 September 2021), and several large groups of Spanish martyrs.

    Francis also confirmed his predecessor John Paul I to be Venerable on 8 November 2017, and Blessed on 4 September 2022.

    Doctors of the Church

    Francis declared two new Doctors of the Church: Saint Gregory of Narek as the 36th Doctor of the Church (conferred in 2015 with delegations from the Armenian Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church present), and Saint Irenaeus of Lyon as the 37th Doctor of the Church (conferred in 2022). Francis also conferred upon Irenaeus the supplementary title Doctor unitatis ("Doctor of Unity").

    Consistories

    Main article: Cardinals created by Francis

    As of March 2024, Francis had, over the 11 years of his papacy, created 142 cardinals from 70 nations across nine consistories. He held his first consistory in February 2014, a rare occasion in which he publicly appeared with his predecessor, Benedict XVI. As of early 2023, the cardinals created by Francis, 113 were under the age of eighty, and thus eligible to vote for the pope at a papal conclave. There were at that point 94 cardinal-electors created by Francis, 27 created by Benedict XVI, and eight created by John Paul II.

    Francis' appointments made the College of Cardinals less European-dominated. Of cardinals appointed by Francis, 22 were based in countries that had never before had a cardinal. In 2023, Europe accounted for 39% of voting-age cardinals (down from 52% in 2013) and North America accounted for 10% of voting-age cardinals (down from 12% in 2013). Other regions of the world increased: the Asia–Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for 18% of voting-age cardinals (up from 9% and 16%, respectively, in 2013). Francis appointed many cardinals from developing countries, including some of the world's poorest, and from countries on the peripheries of the church. He raised to the cardinalate Chibly Langlois from Haiti and Philippe Nakellentuba Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso (in 2014), Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar and Soane Patita Paini Mafi of Tonga (in 2015), Patrick D'Rozario from Bangladesh and Dieudonné Nzapalainga from the Central African Republic (in 2018). In a 2020 consistory, the pope appointed the first cardinals from Brunei and Rwanda, as well as the first African American cardinal (Wilton Daniel Gregory), the first Conventual Franciscan in almost 160 years (Mauro Gambetti), and the first cardinal from Siena since 1801 (Augusto Paolo Lojudice).

    Compared to his predecessors, Francis made fewer appointments of Roman Curia officials to the cardinalate. At the 2013 conclave that elected Francis pope, 35% of cardinals were from the Curia; by late 2023, Curia officials made up just under 23% of cardinal-electors. This was part of a general trend under Francis to a more decentralized church. Compared to his predecessor Benedict, who preferred to appoint academically inclined churchmen as cardinal, Francis favoured cardinals with a more pastoral focus, especially those known for a focus on the poor and marginalized, such as refugees and the homeless. Francis dropped the traditional custom of always appointing the archbishops of certain historically prominent sees (such as the Patriarch of Venice and Archbishop of Milan) as cardinals.

    Year of Mercy

    Main article: Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
    Francis opens the Holy Door, marking the beginning of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.

    With 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. 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.

    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. He encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers; urged the faithful not to forget the poor during the time of crisis; offered prayers for people with the virus in China; 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. 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.

    On 27 March, Francis gave an extraordinary benediction Urbi et Orbi. 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'."

    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."

    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.

    Death penalty

    Francis has committed the Catholic Church to the worldwide abolition of the death penalty in any circumstance. 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".

    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".

    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".

    Role of women

    See also: Women in the Catholic Church

    Francis has categorically rejected the ordination of women as priests. Early in his papacy, he initiated dialogue on the possibility of deaconesses, creating in 2016 a Study Commission on the Women's Diaconate to research the role of female deacons in early Christianity. Its report was not made public, but Francis said in 2019 that the commission issued a split report and was unable to come to a consensus. In April 2020, Francis empaneled a new commission, led by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi and with an entirely new membership, to study the issue. Francis delayed a decision on the issue for several years. In interviews in late 2023 and 2024, he appeared to reject the idea of women deacons, saying that "holy orders is reserved for men." Francis said that "the fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation, because her place is much more important" and that women had a charism separate from "the ministerial way."

    In January 2021, Francis issued a Spiritus Domini, allowing bishops to institute women to the ministries of acolyte and lector. While these instituted ministries were previously reserved to men, Catholic women already carried out these duties without institution in most of the world. Francis wrote that these ministries are fundamentally distinct from those reserved to ordained clergy. The following month, Francis appointed women to several positions previously held only by men: a French member of the Xaviere Missionary Sisters, Nathalie Becquart, was appointed co-undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, and Italian magistrate Catia Summaria became the first woman Promoter of Justice in the Vatican's Court of Appeals.

    In 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), marking the first time women are allowed to vote at any Catholic Synod of Bishops.

    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.

    Apologies toward Indigenous peoples

    Early in 2022, Francis expressed "shame and sorrow" for the Catholic Church's role in abuses against the Indigenous peoples in Canada and "the lack of respect" toward indigenous cultures. Late, in July 2022, Francis made an apostolic journey to Canada, where he expressed sorrow, indignation, and shame over the church's abuse of Canadian indigenous children in residential schools. 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. Near the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School, the site of a search for unmarked graves, Francis said: "I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples." He visited the Ermineskin Cree Nation's cemetery at its Maskwacis reservation south of Edmonton. Francis promised a serious investigation into the history of abuse.

    Sexual abuse response

    Main article: Catholic Church sexual abuse cases

    In 2010, then-Cardinal 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. However, the Supreme Court of Argentina upheld the conviction and 15-year prison sentence against Grassi in March 2017.

    Early in his papacy, Francis chosen a more lenient sentence for Mauro Inzoli, an Italian priest accused of child sexual abuse. A church tribunal had ruled that Inzoli should be laicized (defrocked), and he was defrocked in 2012 by Francis's predecessor Benedict. Francis, however, reversed this decision in 2014; Francis agreed with the bishop of Crema that Inzoli should remain a priest but be removed from public ministry and ordered to retire to "a life of prayer and humble discretion." Izoli was convicted of sexually abusing children in Italian civil court in 2016, and sentenced to prison. In unscripted remarks to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in September 2017, Francis admitted that he mishandled the Inzoli case, saying that as a new pope, "I did not understand these things well and chose the more benevolent of the two sentences but after two years the priest had a relapse. I learned from this." In the same remarks, he that the church "arrived late" in dealing with sexual abuse cases.

    In 2015, Francis was criticized for supporting Chilean bishop Juan Barros, who was accused of covering up Catholic Church sexual abuse cases in Chile, including crimes committed against minors. 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 three Chilean bishops: Barros, Gonzalo Duarte, and Cristián Caro.

    In 2019, Francis defrocked Theodore McCarrick, a former archbishop of Washington, who maintained a prominent position in the church for decades despite repeated reports of sexual misconduct against him dating back to the 1980s. In 2017, after renewed allegations against McCarrick, Francis commissioned a Vatican investigation, which found that McCarrick had sexually molested both adults and minors. In July 2018, McCarrick resigned from the College of Cardinals; in October 2018, Francis ordered a review of the Church's "institutional knowledge and decision-making" related to McCarrick. Francis authorized the release, in November 2020, of the 449-page report of the Vatican's two-year investigation into McCarrick's career, based on a review of documents and interviews with more than 90 people. The report largely faulted Pope John Paul II, who appointed McCarrick as archbishop in 2000 and accepted the churchman's denials of sexual abuse, despite multiple reports. The report also found that Pope Benedict XVI placed informal restrictions on McCarrick, but these were never enforced, and Benedict did not investigate or formally sanction McCarrick even after he disregarded those informal restrictions. The report concluded that Francis, before 2017, "had heard only that there had been allegations and rumors related to immoral conduct with adults occurring prior to McCarrick's appointment to Washington" and continued the approach of his predecessors John Paul and Benedict.

    Francis convened a four-day summit on sexual abuse in February 2019, organized by Hans Zollner; some abuse survivors expressed disappointment that the summit did not result in concrete rules on abuse prevention, responses to abuse, and Church cooperation with law enforcement authorities. In December 2019, Francis abolished the "pontifical secrecy" privilege in sexual abuse cases, clarifying that bishops do not need authorization from the Vatican to turn over to materials from canonical trials upon request of civil law enforcement authorities. The liftng of the confidentiality rule was praised by victim advocates, but did not require the Church to affirmatively turn over canonical documents to civil authorities.

    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".

    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 2006) 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 ", and added condemnation for sexual abuse, saying it's "against priestly nature, and also against social nature".

    Francis visited Ireland in 2018, marking the first papal tour of the country since John Paul II's historic trip in 1979. He apologized for sexual abuses by clergy in the United States and Ireland.

    G7

    Further information: 50th G7 summit

    During his speech at the G7 forum in Italy, he stressed that humanity is in great danger, due to the wars that are taking place such as the war in Ukraine, in Gaza, the excessive use of artificial intelligence that is posing a risk to jobs in the world, and reproductive practices without mentioning abortion. Pope Francis made history as the first pontiff to participate in the G7, a meeting of leaders of the largest economies in the world.

    Memoir

    On 16 October 2024, it was revealed that Pope Francis would be the first sitting pontiff to write and publish an memoir, which will be titled Hope. The English versions of the memoir's book and audiobook will be published by Penguin Random House on 14 January 2025.

    Modifying papal funeral and burial requirements

    On 20 November 2024, Francis modified papal funeral rites in order to make his funeral rites similar to that of a bishop. He also modified the papal burial requirements to no longer include the traditional three coffins of cypress, lead, and oak, opting to instead be buried in a simple wooden casket. Pope Francis will also be the first Pope since Leo XIII to be buried outside the Vatican. Plans were previously made to bury Pope Francis in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore basilica.

    Theological emphases and teachings

    Main article: Theology of Pope Francis

    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.

    Since 2016, criticism against Francis by theological conservatives has intensified. One commentator has described the conservative resistance against Francis as "unique in its visibility" in recent church history. Some have explained the level of disagreement as due to his going beyond theoretical principles to pastoral discernment.

    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. 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".

    Church governance

    See also: Theology of Pope Francis § Church governance
    A Carnival float of Francis and Germany's prelate Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, Düsseldorf, 2014

    Francis called for decentralization of governance away from Rome, and for a synodal manner of decision making in dialogue with the people. He strongly opposed clericalism and made women full members of the church's dicasteries in Rome.

    Environment and climate change

    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). In October 2023, in advance to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Francis issued the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (Praise god), in which he called for decisive action to against the climate crisis and condemned climate change denial. Francis also argued that the United Arab Emirates, which hosted COP28, had a "conflict of interest" because "although it has made significant investments in renewable energy sources" it was still "a great exporter of fossil fuels". Francis planned to attend the conference, which would have been the first time for a pope to personally visit the a UN climate change conference, but cancelled the trip after developing flu-like symptoms.

    In a May 2017 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Vatican's secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, raised the issue of climate change and encouraged Trump not to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. At the 2017 World Food Day ceremony, Francis highlighted the daily impacts of climate change and the solutions provided by scientific knowledge. He pointed out that while the international community has established legal frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, some nations are withdrawing. He expressed concern over a renewed indifference to ecosystem balance, the belief in controlling limited resources, and a greed for profit.

    In 2024, Francis organized a climate summit that issued a Planetary Protocol for Climate Change Resilience including three main pillars: reducing greenhouse gas emissions (while prioritizing nature-based solutions), climate change adaptation and societal transformation.

    Option for the poor

    See also: Theology of Pope Francis § Option for the poor, Theology of Pope Francis § Capitalism, and Theology of Pope Francis § Liberation Theology
    Francis visits a favela in Brazil during World Youth Day 2013.

    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. He has praised liberation theology founder Gustavo Gutierrez. In 2024, while meeting with representatives of the Dialop group, a discussion group between Christians and Marxists, Pope Francis encouraged them to fight together, and stated that marxists and Christians have a common mission.

    In September 2024, Francis renewed calls for a universal basic income, as well as higher taxes on billionaires.

    Morality

    See also: Theology of Pope Francis § Morality as a vehicle of God's mercy, Theology of Pope Francis § Sexual morality as Good News, and Pope Francis and LGBT topics

    Cardinal Walter Kasper has called mercy "the key word of his pontificate". His papal motto Miserando atque eligendo ('by having mercy and by choosing') contains a central theme of his papacy, God's mercy, While maintaining the Catholic Church's traditional teaching against abortion, Francis, has referred to the "obsession" of some Catholics with a few issues such as "abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods" which "do not show the heart of the message of Jesus Christ".

    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". 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". 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

    Main article: Pope Francis and LGBT topics

    Francis has marked a significantly more accommodative tone on LGBT topics than his predecessors. 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. In other public statements, Francis has emphasised the need to accept, welcome, and accompany LGBT people, including LGBT children. In a January 2023 interview with the Associated Press, Francis denounced the criminalization of homosexuality (which he called "unjust"); he called on the Catholic Church to "distinguish between a sin and crime" and asked bishops supporting such laws to reverse their position. Francis repeated this stance the following month. Francis reiterated traditional Catholic teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman, he has supported same-sex civil unions as legal protections for same-sex couples. Under his pontificate, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has confirmed that transgender people can be baptised, and allowed the blessing of same-sex couples in the document Fiducia supplicans. 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.

    Relative to LGB topics, Francis has been less accommodative on transgender topics. He described gender theory and children's education on gender-affirming surgery as "ideological colonization". In September 2015, Francis met with Kim Davis, a county clerk who was jailed for six days for contempt of court for refusing to marriage licences for same-sex couples, and in August 2018, Francis was criticized for suggesting that gay children seek psychiatric treatment. 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 in 2010. A letter he wrote in that campaign was criticized for using "mediaeval" and "obscurantist" language. A church source quoted in the Argentine newspaper La Nación called the letter a strategic error that contributed to the bill's success.

    International policy

    Francis with Cuban leader Raúl Castro in September 2015

    Francis has regularly been accused by conservatives of having a "soft spot" for leftist populist movements. After Francis's visit to Cuba in 2015, Catholic Yale historian Carlos Eire said Francis had a "preferential option for the oppressors" in Cuba. Francis is hostile to right-wing populism. Since 2016, Francis has been contrasted with US President Donald Trump, elected that year, with some conservative critics drawing comparisons between the two. 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".

    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. 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." 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. Francis has sought peace in the crisis without picking a side.

    Position toward China

    Francis took a more conciliatory approach toward the People's Republic of China than any previous pope. He continued the Vatican's longstanding diplomatic recognition of the Republic of China (Taiwan), rather than the People's Republic of China; the Vatican City State is the only country in Europe to formally recognize Taiwan, and one of just 12 countries worldwide to do so. In 2018, however, Francis approved a provisional Vatican-China agreement, intended to normalize the situation of China's Catholics, who numbered approximately 10 million as of 2024. The Chinese government claims the authority to appoint bishops, without papal approval, through the state-controlled Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, in contravention of longstanding church doctrine. Under the 2018 agreement, the Vatican consults with the Chinese government on the appointment of bishops, and pledged not to appoint any bishop in China without Beijing's approval; in return, the Chinese government recognized the pope as the supreme head of the Catholic Church. The agreement was renewed for an additional two years in 2020, and again in 2022.

    Francis' efforts toward rapprochement with China, were highly controversial; a leading critic, Cardinal Joseph Zen, said the 2018 agreement was a step toward the "annihilation" of the Catholic Church in China. Critics said that the 2018 agreement "sold out" Chinese Catholics by accepting infringements on religious freedom, thereby undermining the Vatican's spiritual authority. In September 2020, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a critic of the agreement, urged Francis to stand against China's human rights violations.

    The Chinese government repeatedly violated the 2018 deal with the Vatican. Francis has defended the Vatican's dialogue with China on the appointment of new bishops, saying in 2021 that uneasy dialogue was better than no dialogue at all, and that improving strained ties with the Chinese government was important. From the signing of the agreement until 2022, only six Catholic bishops in China were appointed. In November 2022, the Vatican publicly accused China of violating the agreement by installing John Peng Weizhao as an auxiliary bishop in Jiangxi without Vatican approval. In April 2023, the Chinese government also installed Joseph Shen Bin as bishop of Shanghai without Vatican approval in violation of the agreement; three months later, Francis recognized Shen Bin's appointment; the Vatican secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, said that the pope had done so "remedy the canonical irregularity created in Shanghai, in view of the greater good of the diocese and the fruitful exercise of the bishop's pastoral ministry." The Vatican and the Chinese government renewed the agreement in October 2022, and renewed it again in 2024.

    In November 2020, 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 , 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".

    In 2019, during the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, Francis was criticized by Zen and other Catholic clergy in Hong Kong for failing to taking a stand against China's repression 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.

    Theological disagreements

    Amoris laetitia

    Main article: Amoris laetitia

    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. 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."

    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. They submitted five "dubia" (doubts), and requested a yes or no answer. Francis has not publicly replied. The exhortation has been implemented in different ways by various bishops around the world.

    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. 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. 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".

    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. 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".

    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".

    Document on Human Fraternity

    Main article: 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. 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". Catholic theologian Chad Pecknold wrote that this sentence was "puzzling, and potentially problematic". 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".

    Traditionis custodes and the Tridentine Mass

    Main article: Traditionis custodes

    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. 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 National Catholic Register' reported that "The most general criticism is that the restrictions are unnecessary, needlessly harsh, and implemented in an unjustifiably swift fashion." The motu proprio was later confirmed by Francis through the apostolic letter Desiderio desideravi.

    Fiducia supplicans

    Main article: Fiducia supplicans

    In December 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a declaration, Fiducia supplicans, approved by Francis. 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.

    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. Cardinal Gerhard Müller called it "sacrilegious and blasphemous" and "self-contradictory". Cardinal Robert Sarah described the blessing of couples in irregular situations as "a heresy that seriously undermines the Church". 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".

    International diplomatic role

    Map indicating countries visited by Francis as pope
    Pope Francis with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in 2022

    Cuba

    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." 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. 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." 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. 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 church. I am not joking." Castro said that, when the pope came, "I promise to go to all his Masses and with satisfaction".

    Arab–Israeli conflict

    Francis in Bethlehem in May 2014

    In May 2014, Francis visited Israel and the Palestinian territories. Francis offered symbolic gestures to both sides in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In addition to visiting the Western Wall, Yad Vashem, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, he became the first pope to visit the grave of Theodor Herzl, entered the West Bank from Jordan rather than Israel, and invited Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres to a prayer summit at the Vatican (both accepted). He visited Bethlehem, where he gave a speech alongside Abbas, and celebrated Mass at the Church of the Nativity. At the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he visited the Victims of Acts of Terror Memorial; at the invitation of Palestinian authorities, he prayed at a portion of the Israeli West Bank barrier. In addition to meetings with Peres and Netanyahu, Francis met Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, Chief Rabbis Yitzhak Yosef and David Lau, and Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Places Shmuel Rabinowitz.

    In May 2015, Francis welcomed Abbas to the Vatican and said that: "The angel of peace destroys the evil spirit of war. I thought about you: may you be an angel of peace." The Vatican signed a treaty recognizing the state of Palestine. 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.

    In May 2021, amid clashes in Jerusalem, Francis reiterated calls for peace between Israel and Palestinians during his Regina caeli address.

    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" and describing Israel's airstrikes as "cruelty, this is not war." He condemned the killing of two Palestinian Christian women by an IDF sniper in Gaza, calling it "terrorism". Throughout the war, Francis has called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the establishment of a two-state solution. He has communicated with the sole parish of Gaza daily since the start of the war. In November 2024, Pope Francis suggested that the international community should investigate whether Israel's campaign in Gaza is a genocide of the Palestinian people.

    Migrant and refugee issues

    Francis with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, 14 August 2014

    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. In 2019, he placed a statue in St. Peter's Square to bring attention to the Christian imperative involved in their situation (Hebrews 13:2). In line with this policy, Francis has criticized neo-nationalists and populists who reject the acceptance of refugees.

    In April 2016, Francis, along with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronimos II of Athens, visited the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos, to call the attention of the world to the 2015 European migrant crisis. There the three Christian leaders signed a joint declaration.

    Sovereign Military Order of Malta

    Francis with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his family, Vatican City, June 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.

    Afghanistan

    After the Taliban takeover and U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Francis deemed the troop withdrawal "legitimate" but criticized it as "not well thought out" and the war's failure in nation-building. The Vatican, through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was in talks with the Taliban to discourage reprisals against civilians.

    Russia and Ukraine

    Francis shaking hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in June 2015
    Francis and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in 2023

    Following the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, Francis visited the Russian embassy in Rome, an unprecedented action. He called Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express "sorrow" as the Vatican worked to find "room for negotiation" to end the war. The day after the invasion began in February 2023, Francis assured Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the major archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, that "he would do everything he can to help end the Ukraine conflict". During the 27 February 2023 Angelus address, Francis called for peace, saying, "Silence the weapons!"

    Throughout the war, Francis has called for an end to armed conflict. Initially, he avoided specific criticism of Russia and President Putin, frustrating many Ukrainians. Later, he described Ukraine as "martyred" and prayed for the victims of Russian aggression, but still did not directly criticize Putin or the Russian government. His statements aligned more with countries like Brazil, India, and China, rather than the U.S. and Europe, a stance some attribute to his distrust of America.

    Francis's blanket denunciations of arms transfers and the weapons industry seemed to condemn Western military aid provided to Ukraine to defend itself. In a September 2022 press conference, seven months into the war, Francis said that it was "licit" and justified for Ukraine to defend itself but called for a negotiated settlement (saying that there must be "dialogue with any power that is at war, even if it is with the aggressor" and even when "it stinks"). He also suggested that arms transfers to Ukraine were "a political decision which it can be moral, morally acceptable, if it is done under conditions of morality." He later said that Ukrainians were a "noble" people and recounted Cardinal Konrad Krajewski's reports of the "savage acts, the monstrosity, the tortured bodies" inflicted upon Ukraine.

    Francis' stances were rooted in part in his hope that the Vatican could broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, a possibility that analysts viewed as extremely unlikely. He dispatched two high-ranking Vatican officials—Cardinals Krajewski and Michael Czerny—as envoys on several trips to Ukraine in 2022. which was considered a highly unusual move of Vatican diplomacy. In March 2022, Francis consecrated both Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary). Francis said in April 2023, during a trip to Budapest, that he was working on a secret "mission" to bring peace and return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Francis's efforts to position the Vatican as a mediator continuously failed.

    In April 2022, a delegation of Ukrainian officials, including Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov and MP Maria Mezentseva, attended the Vatican Easter vigil with Francis, who said he was prater for an end to the "darkness of war" and "all the suffering." Addressing the group, he also spoke the words "Christ is risen" in Ukrainian.

    In May 2022, Francis described Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "perhaps somehow either provoked or not prevent" and suggested that "NATO barking at Russia's gate" contributed to the war. These statements alarmed Ukrainians and echoed false Russian narratives about the war, which portray the conflict as being instigated by the West. Francis said he was not "pro-Putin" but instead was "simply against reducing complexity to the distinction between good guys and bad guys."

    In August 2022, Francis described the killing of Darya Dugina as a case of the death of innocents in the war. Ukraine's ambassador envoy to the Holy See raised a protest, saying that Dugina was "one of ideologists of (Russian) imperialism" and not an innocent victim.

    In early October 2022, Francis for the first time directly appealed to Putin to halt the stop the "spiral of violence and death" in Ukraine. He said that a nuclear escalation would bring "uncontrollable global consequences." In the same speech, Francis asked Ukrainian president Zelenskyy to be open about "serious peace proposals" while recognizing that Ukraine had suffered an "aggression" and saying that he was "pained about the suffering of the Ukrainian people". Later that month, Francis denounced Russia's bombing of Ukrainian cities and the "hurricane of violence" against Ukrainian civilians.

    In a November 2022 interview with America magazine, Francis was asked about his "seeming unwillingness to directly criticize Russia" and his preference "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"; the pope responded that "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..." Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned the comments as "perversion on a level I can't even name" and others remarked that his statement was "racist" and that there was no data supporting this claim concerning Russian soldiers who are non-ethnic Russians. Francis also stated during the interview: "Certainly, the one who invades is the Russian state. This is very clear."

    In August 2023, Francis infuriated Ukraine by making off-the-cuff remarks to a group of young Russian Catholics praising the Russian Empire as "great" and urging them not to "forget your heritage" as descendants "the great Russia of saints, rulers, the great Russia of Peter I, Catherine II." The pope's remarks echoed Vladimir Putin's rhetoric valorizing Russian imperialism, and was praised by the Kremlin; Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (an Eastern rite church in communion with Rome) said the pope's statement had caused "great pain and worry" because it reflected the "neo-colonial ambitions of the aggressor country." Peter the Great and Catherine the Great suppressed Ukrainian and Polish national movements. Following the criticism, the pope's spokesman said the pontiff's intent was to promote positive aspects of Russia's "cultural and spiritual heritage, and certainly not to extol imperialistic logics and governmental personalities."

    In a February 2024 interview with Swiss television station RSI, broadcast the following month, Francis suggested that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag, and to negotiate"; the statement was interpreted as a call for Ukraine to negotiate terms of surrender. Ukraine was angered by Francis's suggestion that it should yield to Russian aggression, and the statement was criticized by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. After the broadcast, a Vatican spokesperson said that Francis meant "cease-fire and negotiation" rather than capitulation. 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."

    In the Muslim world

    Francis condemned the persecution of Christians by ISIL, and supported the use of force to stop Islamic militants from attacking religious minorities in Iraq. In January 2018, Francis met Yazidi refugees in Europe, expressed his support for their right to religious freedom, and called upon the international community "not to remain a silent and unresponsive spectator" to the Yazidi genocide.

    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 celebrate Mass on the Arabian Peninsula, attended by more than 120,000 attendees at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.

    In March 2021, Francis held a historic meeting with Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and visited Ur, a site traditionally identified as the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. He and the Iraqi cleric urged the Muslim and Christian communities to work together for peaceful coexistence.

    In September 2024, Francis visited Indonesia, a country with the largest Muslim population, where he attended inter-religious dialogue in Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, and was welcomed by the Grand Imam, Dr. Nasaruddin Umar. The mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, and the ninth largest in the world, is right across the Catholic Cathedral, and connected by an underpass known as "tunnel of friendship", where Francis attended the mosque from. Francis also listened to Islamic prayers being recited by a young blind girl named Syakila, the winner of a national Quran recitation competition. Francis and the Grand Imam also signed the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024, underscoring that the values common to all religious traditions be effectively promoted to “defeat the culture of violence and indifference” and promote reconciliation and peace. The declaration also read and attended by representatives from other religions, including Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists, Confucianisms, and Folk religions.

    Elsewhere

    Crowd at the Koševo City Stadium in Sarajevo, celebrating a Mass with Francis, June 2015

    On 6 June 2015, Francis visited Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, urging peace in the religiously diverse city.

    In September 2015, Francis visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where he addressed the UN General Assembly; following his speech, he visited the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. In June 2023, Francis issued an address to the UN Security Council while recovering from abdominal surgery; the statement was read by Vatican official Paul Gallagher on the pope's behalf.

    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.

    Public image

    See also: List of places and things named after Pope Francis
    External videos
    video icon Why the only future worth building includes everyone, TED talks, April 2017, 17:51, in Italian with subtitles in 22 languages

    Francis has frequently been depicted as a progressive or liberal moderate. Commentator William Saletan described Francis' comments by Francis in his first long interview in 2013 (particularly Francis's statement that "God is to be encountered in the world of today" and "God manifests himself in historical revelation, in history") as liberal and fundamentally anti-conservative. Other have contested descriptions of Francis as liberal. In 2014, the Vatican criticized some Italian news agencies, as well as the Agence France-Presse, for reporting on certain remarks Francis has made as suggestive of an opening toward acceptance of same-sex marriage or civil unions; a Vatican spokesperson said the pope's remark had been taken out of context.

    Important aspects of Francis's public image include "his recognizable humanity" and gestures of humility, as well as his efforts to preserve his autonomy amid Roman Curia bureaucracy. He is a frequent user of landline telephones; he reportedly has never owned a computer or mobile phone.

    During Francis's 2015 trip to Cuba, American-based AP and British-based Reuters highlighted the religious aspect of the pope's journey while Prensa Latina, the Cuban 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.

    In December 2013, both Time and The Advocate magazines named the Pontiff as their "Person of the Year"; Esquire magazine named him as the "Best-dressed man" for 2013, citing his simpler vestments. Rolling Stone magazine followed in January 2014 by making the Pontiff their featured front cover. Fortune magazine also ranked Francis as number one in their list of 50 greatest leaders. He was included in Forbes lists of most powerful people in the world in 2014 and 2016.

    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"). A street in La Plata, Argentina, was renamed Papa Francisco in his honour. The Argentine Chamber of Deputies passed legislation to mint a commemorative coin as a tribute to Francis in 2013. As of 2013, sales of papal souvenirs, a sign of popularity, were up.

    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, a few weeks before the start of the 5–19 October Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (the Synod on the Family).

    In 2016, Francis became the first pope to create an Instagram account. He broke records after having gained over one million followers in under twelve hours of the account being up. 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. On 26 November 2020 Francis became the first pope to write an op-ed for The New York Times; in the article, he addressing issues such as COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings and the need for global solidarity.

    The role of the church in society

    Pope Francis is interested in and involved in the role the Church can play in society. Pope Francis criticized both U.S. presidential candidate Trump's anti-immigration policies and Harris's abortion policies as "against life." He said both are against life and encouraged people of conscience to choose the lesser of two evils. He said voters with a conscience should think about who is more evil and who they should elect. He said that the policy of deporting immigrants, the policy of borders, is inhumane. And the policy of killing children in their mother's womb, artificially, is evil.

    Health

    In 2021, the pope's health problems prompted rumors that he might resign, which Francis dismissed. In June 2022, after undergoing treatment to the knee, Francis canceled planned trips to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan on the advice of his doctors. In an interview with Reuters that month, Francis said that he had not considered resigning but would do so if his health made it impossible for him to run the church. During his trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in February 2023, Francis said papal resignations should not become a "fashion" and that resignation was "not in his agenda at the moment". Nearly one million people came for Pope Francis's Mass in Kinshasa in the DRC. He told people to "put down your arms and embrace mercy".

    Pope Francis celebrating Holy Mass in Kossuth tér, Budapest

    In March 2023, Francis was hospitalized in Rome with a respiratory infection. He returned to celebrate public Mass at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday, for the first time since recovering from bronchitis.

    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.

    Francis has publicly used a wheelchair since 2022, initially due to persistent knee pain which required an operation. He acknowledged that his recurring mobility problems had precipitated the beginning of what Reuters termed "a new, slower phase of his papacy", although he was praised by disabled Catholics for his example, and making his "disability part of his visible identity".

    On 7 December 2024 Pope Francis was seen at St. Peter's Basilica with a wide bruise on his chin. Francis was at the Basilica to ceremoniously install 21 new cardinals of the church. The bruise was caused when Francis had hit his chin on his night stand the morning prior. This resulted in a contusion and visible bruising according to a Vatican spokesperson.

    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.

    Foreign orders

    Awards

    Honorific eponyms and dedications

    Francis and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in Manila, 16 January 2015
    •  Philippines: The Pope Francis Center for the Poor – Palo, Leyte (12 July 2015)
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • The rodent species Oecomys franciscorum, discovered in 2016, was named after both Pope Francis and Francisco Maldonado da Silva, a victim of the Peruvian Inquisition.

    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. The oratorio was premiered on 6 November 2016 in the Limburg Cathedral.

    Coat of arms

    Main article: Coat of arms of Pope Francis Further information: Papal coats of arms
    Coat of arms of Pope Francis
    Notes
    Pope Francis's initial grant of arms by the Holy See was as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, when he was Cardinal Bergoglio, in which the depiction of the Star and Spikenard were 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.
    Crest
    Not applicable to prelates
    Helm
    Bishop's mitre
    Escutcheon
    Azure on a Sun in Splendour Or the IHS Christogram ensigned with a Cross Paté fiché piercing the 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 Spikenard flower Or
    Motto
    MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO
    (Latin for "BY GIVING MERCY AND BY CHOOSING")
    Other elements
    Keys of Peter behind HH's shield and Papal mantling
    Symbolism
    (On the shield) Jesuit emblem: In reference to Francis being a Jesuit, the uppermost charge on the shield is the emblem of the Society of Jesus. This charge displays a radiating sun within which is the monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus in red, with a red cross surmounting the H 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.

    Writings

    Main article: Pope Francis bibliography

    Pope Francis has written a variety of books, encyclicals, and other writings.

    Music album

    Main article: Wake Up! (Pope Francis 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.

    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.

    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. It premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and was released in the United States on 18 May 2018. It includes extensive sections of interviews as well as stock footage from archives.

    On 21 October 2020, the documentary Francesco directed by film producer Evgeny Afineevsky premiered.

    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.

    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.

    See also

    Notes

    1. Press 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 Venerable Bede on 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.'"
    2. Pronounced [ˈxoɾxe ˈmaɾjo βeɾˈɣoɣljo] in Spanish, and [berˈɡɔʎʎo] in Italian
    3. This devotion has since spread to Brazil; it "attracts people with small problems". Bergoglio had an image of Mary Untier of Knots inscribed on a chalice he presented to Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.

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    Preceded byTheodor Hubrich Titular Bishop of Auca
    20 May 1992 – 3 June 1997
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