Pope Francis
Leader, Roman Catholic Church- After completing his studies in philosophy, Pope Francis taught literature and psychology for a year at the Immaculate Conception College in Santa Fé in 1964
- He then moved to teach those subjects at the Colegio del Salvatore in Buenos Aires in 1966
- In 1969, he was ordained a priest and after completing his training, became a Jesuit in 1973
- He was also appointed as the superior of the province of the Jesuits in Argentina in 1973 and continued in the role till 1979
- In 1980, he became the rector of the Colegio de San José and simultaneously, also served as a parish priest in San Miguel
- After completing his doctoral thesis in Germany in 1986, he served as a spiritual director and confessor for a few years
- In 1992, he was ordained auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires
- He was made the coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1997 and was raised to the rank of archbishop the following year
- In 2001, Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal
- On March 13, 2013, he succeeded Pope Benedict XVI and was elected as the supreme pontiff or the pope by a conclave of 115 cardinals
- He was the first pope from South America and choose the name Francis in honour of St. Francis of Assisi
Before you go ...
- His right lung was partially removed at the age of 21 after he suffered from severe pneumonia
- Pope Francis was a part of the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Francis News
King Charles III will make history by praying with Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel, the first such joint prayer by a British monarch and pope since the Reformation. This landmark visit, coinciding with the Catholic Church's Holy Year, signifies a profound step towards reconciliation and enhanced spiritual partnership between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo's first major document, an apostolic exhortation, urges Catholics to aid immigrants and calls for global market reform to address inequality. The 104-page text, completed by Leo after Pope Francis' death, criticizes border walls and emphasizes the Church's role in accompanying the rejected, seeing Christ in every migrant.
On the day Carlo Acutis was canonised, a church dedicated to the "millennial saint" opened in Palikkara, near Kochi. Varapuzha Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil initiated the church for the new generation, completed in a few months and houses relics of the saint. The church will hold prayers every Tuesday and Sunday for around 140 families.
Carlo Acutis, often known as “God’s Influencer,” is poised to become the first millennial saint after the Vatican recognition of two miracles connected to his intercession. Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Carlo was admired for his faith, devotion, and technology. He attended daily mass, supported the homeless, and made a website documenting Eucharistic miracles.
Pope Leo, the first US-born leader of the Catholic Church, addressed a mass shooting. The incident occurred at a Catholic school in Minnesota. Two children died in the tragic event on August 27. Speaking in English, Pope Leo prayed for the victims. He further appealed to God to end the global pandemic of arms.
The year 2025 saw the passing of several iconic figures. Country music lost Jeannie Seely. Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, also passed away. Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died soon after. Other notable deaths include actor Val Kilmer and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Pope Francis, filmmaker David Lynch, and Robert Benton also left us.
Leo said any further development of AI must be evaluated according to the "superior ethical criterion" of the need to safeguard the dignity of each human being while respecting the diversity of the world's population.
The Vatican faces increasing pressure to return Indigenous artifacts. These items, collected during Catholic missions, are now at the center of repatriation demands. Canada seeks the return of sacred objects for healing. Ecuador saw success with a shrunken head repatriation. Australia wants its ceremonial items back. Pope Francis acknowledges the need for restitution.
Pope Leo XIV will begin his reign this Sunday. The ceremony will occur at Vatican City. Presidents and dignitaries will attend the event. Leo will tour St Peter's Square in the popemobile. He will receive the pallium and fisherman's ring. The event will include a Mass. Security will be tight. Rome expects 250,000 attendees. Giant screens will broadcast the event.
Pope Leo XIV, in his first address to journalists, called for disarming media of hostility and promoting free, responsible communication. He advocated press freedom, praised imprisoned reporters, and warned of social media and AI risks. Leo also spoke with Ukraine’s president, echoing his predecessor’s peace-focused legacy.
