Career Timeline of Pope Francis: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Pope Francis made an impact.
Pope Francis is the current head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. Notably, he is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born outside of Europe since the 8th century. His papacy has focused on themes of mercy, social justice, environmental stewardship, and interreligious dialogue, often emphasizing outreach to marginalized communities and advocating for global solutions to poverty and inequality.
1958: Inspired to join the Jesuits
In 1958, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was inspired to join the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) after recovering from a severe illness.
1964: Taught at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción
From 1964 to 1965, Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción in Santa Fe.
1965: Taught at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción
From 1964 to 1965, Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción in Santa Fe.
1966: Taught at Colegio del Salvador
In 1966, Jorge Mario Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires.
December 1969: Ordained by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano
On 13 December 1969, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano.
1969: Ordained as a Catholic priest
In 1969, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained as a Catholic priest.
April 1973: Took final vows as a Jesuit
On 22 April 1973, Jorge Mario Bergoglio took his final vows as a Jesuit, including the fourth vow of obedience to missioning by the pope.
1973: Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina
From 1973 to 1979, Jorge Mario Bergoglio served as the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina.
1979: End of term as provincial superior
In 1979, Jorge Mario Bergoglio's six-year term as the provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina came to an end.
1980: Rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel
In 1980, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was named the rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel after spending three months in Ireland learning English.
1986: Replaced at San Miguel
In 1986, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was replaced as rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel, at the discretion of Jesuit superior-general Peter Hans Kolvenbach.
June 1992: Named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires
In June 1992, Bergoglio was named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires and consecrated on June 27, 1992 as titular bishop of Auca.
June 1997: Appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires
On 3 June 1997, Bergoglio was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires.
February 1998: Metropolitan Archbishop of Buenos Aires
In February 1998, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the metropolitan archbishop of Buenos Aires after Quarracino's death on February 28, 1998.
November 1998: Ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Argentina
On 6 November 1998, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was named Ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Argentina, while remaining archbishop of Buenos Aires.
1998: Archbishop of Buenos Aires
In 1998, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the archbishop of Buenos Aires.
2000: Reconciled with Jerónimo Podestá
In 2000, Bergoglio was the only church official to reconcile with Jerónimo Podestá, a former bishop who had been suspended as a priest.
February 2001: Made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II
On 21 February 2001, Archbishop Bergoglio was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II, receiving the title of cardinal priest of San Roberto Bellarmino.
December 2001: Led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots
In December 2001, Jorge Mario Bergoglio led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina.
December 2001: Contact with Ministry of the Interior during riots
In December 2001, during police repression of riots in Argentina, Bergoglio contacted the Ministry of the Interior. He requested that the police distinguish between rioters and vandals from peaceful protesters during the events.
2001: Elevation to the cardinalate
Bergoglio continued to be the archbishop of Buenos Aires after his elevation to the cardinalate in 2001.
2004: Celebrated Mass with President Néstor Kirchner
In 2004, Bergoglio celebrated Mass at the cathedral for the First National Government holiday, which was attended by President Néstor Kirchner. During the Mass, Bergoglio requested more political dialogue and criticized intolerance.
April 2005: Attended Pope John Paul II's funeral and papal conclave
In April 2005, Bergoglio attended Pope John Paul II's funeral and participated in the papal conclave as a cardinal elector, where Pope Benedict XVI was elected. He was considered one of the papabile for succession to the papacy.
September 2005: Claims published about 2005 conclave
In September 2005, the Italian magazine Limes published claims that Bergoglio was the runner-up and main challenger to Cardinal Ratzinger in the 2005 conclave and that he received 40 votes in the third ballot. He later fell back to 26 votes at the decisive ballot. The claims were based on a diary from an anonymous cardinal present at the conclave.
November 2005: Elected President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference
On 8 November 2005, Bergoglio was elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three-year term (2005–2008).
2005: Potential papal name if elected in 2005
Bergoglio said that had he been elected in 2005, he would have chosen the pontifical name of "John XXIV" in honour of John XXIII, also saying "John, I would have called myself John, like the Good Pope; I would have been completely inspired by him."
2005: Associated with Communion and Liberation and authorized beatification request
In 2005, as a cardinal, Bergoglio was associated with Communion and Liberation, a Catholic evangelical lay movement. Also in 2005, he authorized the request for beatification for six members of the Pallottine community who were murdered in the San Patricio Church massacre.
2006: Helped fellow Jesuit win elections
In 2006, Bergoglio helped the fellow Jesuit Joaquín Piña win the elections in the Misiones Province to prevent an amendment of the local constitution that would allow indefinite re-elections.
November 2008: Re-elected President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference
On 11 November 2008, Bergoglio was re-elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference.
December 2011: Submitted resignation as archbishop of Buenos Aires
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.
March 2013: First Audience and Choice of Papal Name
On March 16, 2013, at his first audience, Francis explained that he had chosen the name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi because he was especially concerned for the well-being of the poor. Cardinal Cláudio Hummes had whispered, "Don't forget the poor" during the conclave.
March 2013: Papal Inauguration
On March 19, 2013, Francis held his papal inauguration in St. Peter's Square. He celebrated Mass in the presence of political and religious leaders from around the world. His homily focused on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph.
March 2013: First Easter Homily
On March 31, 2013, Francis used his first Easter homily to make a plea for world peace, specifically mentioning the Middle East, Africa, and North and South Korea. He also spoke out against those who give in to greed and made a plea for humanity to become better guardians of creation.
April 2013: Named Council of Cardinal Advisers
On April 13, 2013, Francis 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 critics of Vatican operations.
May 2013: First Canonizations of Pontificate
On 12 May 2013, Pope Francis presided over the first canonizations of his pontificate, canonizing the Martyrs of Otranto, Laura of St. Catherine of Siena, and María Guadalupe García Zavala.
June 2013: Publication of Lumen fidei
On 29 June 2013, Pope Francis published the encyclical Lumen fidei, which was largely written by Benedict XVI and awaited a final draft upon his retirement.
November 2013: Publication of Evangelii gaudium
On 24 November 2013, Pope Francis published his first major letter as pope, the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium, described as the programmatic of his papacy.
January 2014: Restriction on Monsignor Titles Announced
In January 2014, Pope Francis announced that he would appoint fewer monsignors and would only assign the title to the lowest of the three surviving ranks, chaplain of His Holiness, awarded only to diocesan priests at least 65 years old.
January 2014: Vatican Bank Cardinal Overseers Replaced
In January 2014, Pope Francis replaced four of the five cardinal overseers of the Vatican Bank, who had been confirmed in their positions during the final days of Benedict XVI's papacy, as part of ongoing efforts to reform the bank and address allegations of corruption.
February 2014: First Consistory
In February 2014, Pope Francis held his first consistory, a rare occasion in which he publicly appeared with his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
May 2014: Visit to Israel and Palestinian territories
In May 2014, Pope Francis visited Israel and the Palestinian territories, offering symbolic gestures to both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He visited significant religious sites, met with political and religious leaders, and invited Mahmoud Abbas and Shimon Peres to a prayer summit at the Vatican.
September 2014: First Joint Public Wedding Ceremony
On 14 September 2014, Pope Francis presided over his first joint public wedding ceremony for 20 couples from the Archdiocese of Rome.
December 2014: Announcement of restored diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba
On December 17, 2014, the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba was announced, with Pope Francis playing a key role in the talks. The Pope, along with the Government of Canada, acted as a behind-the-scenes broker of the agreement.
2014: Synod on the family
In 2014, Francis oversaw the synod on the family.
April 2015: Inauguration of the Special Jubilee Year of Mercy
In April 2015, Pope Francis inaugurated a Special Jubilee Year of Mercy with the papal bull Misericordiae Vultus, scheduled to run from 8 December 2015 to 20 November 2016.
May 2015: Release of Laudato si'
In May 2015, Pope Francis released his major encyclical on the environment, "Laudato si' (Praise be to you)". The encyclical in May 2015 emphasized care for creation.
May 2015: Abbas welcomed to the Vatican
In May 2015, Pope Francis welcomed Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican, expressing hopes for peace and referring to Abbas as an "angel of peace". The Vatican also signed a treaty recognizing the state of Palestine and issued statements concerning the hope that peace talks could resume between Israel and Palestine. The visit coincided with the canonization of two Palestinian nuns.
June 2015: Publication of Laudato si'
On 18 June 2015, Pope Francis published his first own encyclical Laudato si', addressing concerns regarding care for the planet.
September 2015: Visit to the United Nations Headquarters
In September 2015, Pope Francis visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York City where he addressed the UN General Assembly and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.
December 2015: Commencement of the Jubilee Year of Mercy
On 8 December 2015, the Jubilee Year of Mercy began, following Pope Francis's papal bull of indiction, Misericordiae Vultus.
April 2016: Visit to Moria refugee camp
In April 2016, Pope 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 attention to the 2015 European migrant crisis. They signed a joint declaration there.
April 2016: Publication of Amoris laetitia
On 8 April 2016, Pope Francis published his second apostolic exhortation, Amoris laetitia, which discusses love within the family.
November 2016: Establishment of the World Day of the Poor
On 20 November 2016, Pope Francis established the World Day of the Poor in his Apostolic Letter, Misericordia et Misera, issued to celebrate the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
November 2016: End of the Jubilee Year of Mercy
On 20 November 2016, the Jubilee Year of Mercy concluded, as it had begun on 8 December 2015, following Pope Francis's papal bull of indiction, Misericordiae Vultus.
2016: Creation of Study Commission on Women's Diaconate
In 2016, Pope Francis initiated dialogue on the possibility of deaconesses by creating a Study Commission on the Women's Diaconate to research the role of female deacons in early Christianity.
2017: Address at the World Food Day Ceremony
At the 2017 World Food Day ceremony, Pope Francis highlighted the daily impacts of climate change and the solutions provided by scientific knowledge. He expressed concern over indifference to ecosystem balance and greed for profit. The 2017 address underscored the connection between climate change and food security.
January 2018: Support for Yazidi Refugees
In January 2018, Pope 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.
March 2018: Publication of Gaudete et exsultate
On 19 March 2018, Pope Francis published the apostolic exhortation Gaudete et exsultate, dealing with "the call to holiness" for all persons and addressing contemporary versions of gnostic and Pelagian heresies.
2018: Provisional Vatican-China Agreement
In 2018, Pope Francis approved a provisional Vatican-China agreement intended to normalize the situation of China's Catholics. 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.
2018: Revision of Catechism on Death Penalty
In 2018, Pope Francis revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church to state that the death penalty is "inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person" and committed the Catholic Church to support worldwide abolition of the death penalty.
February 2019: Signing of Document on Human Fraternity
On February 4, 2019, Pope Francis and Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, signed the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. This joint statement emphasizes how different faiths can live peacefully together. It inspired the International Day of Human Fraternity, acknowledged by the UN. Criticisms arose regarding the passage about God's will and the diversity of religions, with some theologians finding it puzzling and potentially problematic.
May 2019: Promulgation of Vos estis lux mundi
On 9 May 2019, Pope Francis promulgated the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi, which specified responsibilities for reporting on bishops and superiors directly to the Holy See, involving another bishop in the archdiocese of the accused bishop, as a follow-up to the summit on clergy sexual abuse.
December 2019: Abolishing "Pontifical Secrecy" in Sexual Abuse Cases
In December 2019, Pope Francis abolished the "pontifical secrecy" privilege in sexual abuse cases, clarifying that bishops do not need authorization from the Vatican to turn over materials from canonical trials upon request of civil law enforcement authorities. The events of December 2019 were praised by victim advocates, but did not require the Church to affirmatively turn over canonical documents to civil authorities.
2019: Synod on the church in the Amazon region
In 2019, Francis oversaw the synod on the church in the Amazon region. In 2019 Francis's apostolic constitution Episcopalis communio allowed that the final document of a synod may become magisterial teaching simply with papal approval.
2019: Placement of statue in St. Peter's Square to bring attention to refugees
In 2019, Pope Francis placed a statue in St. Peter's Square to bring attention to the Christian imperative involved in the refugee situation. He has consistently defended the rights of refugees and migrants, engaging in dialogue with Europe and the United States.
2019: Study Commission on Women's Diaconate Findings
In 2019, Pope Francis said that the Study Commission on the Women's Diaconate was unable to come to a consensus regarding the role of female deacons in early Christianity.
2019: Ecocide as a Sin
In 2019, Pope Francis stated that ecocide was a sin and should be made "a fifth category of crimes against peace". Pope Francis's statement in 2019 emphasized the moral dimension of environmental destruction.
March 2020: Creation of Vatican COVID-19 Commission
On 20 March 2020, Pope Francis asked the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) to create a Vatican COVID-19 Commission to listen to concerns and develop responses for the future.
April 2020: Empanelment of New Commission on Women's Diaconate
In April 2020, Pope Francis empaneled a new commission, led by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, to study the issue of women's diaconate.
October 2020: Publication of Fratelli tutti
On 4 October 2020, Pope Francis published the encyclical Fratelli tutti, addressing fraternity and social friendship.
November 2020: Op-ed for The New York Times
On 26 November 2020, Pope Francis became the first pope to write an op-ed for The New York Times, addressing COVID-19 restrictions and the need for global solidarity.
December 2020: Publication of Patris corde and Proclamation of the Year of Saint Joseph
On 8 December 2020, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis published the apostolic letter Patris corde ("With a Father's Heart"). 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.
2020: Reiteration on Death Penalty Inadmissibility
In his 2020 encyclical Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis repeated that the death penalty was "inadmissible" and that "there can be no stepping back from this position".
January 2021: Institution of Women to Ministries of Acolyte and Lector
In January 2021, Pope Francis issued Spiritus Domini, allowing bishops to institute women to the ministries of acolyte and lector, noting that these ministries are distinct from those reserved to ordained clergy.
June 2021: Publication of Pascite gregem Dei
On 1 June 2021, Pope Francis published the apostolic constitution Pascite gregem Dei, reforming Vatican penal law by strengthening penalties for sexual abuse and financial crimes, and also more harshly punishing the ordination of women.
November 2021: Gratitude to Journalists for Uncovering Abuse Scandals
In November 2021, Pope Francis thanked journalists for their work in uncovering child sexual abuse scandals within the Church. He acknowledged their role in preventing the issue from being ignored and giving a voice to abuse victims. The remarks of November 2021 highlighted the importance of media in addressing the abuse crisis.
December 2021: End of Year of Saint Joseph
December 2021 marked the end of the "Year of Saint Joseph" which had begun on 8 December 2020 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.
January 2022: Statement on Death Penalty to Vatican Ambassadors
On 9 January 2022, Pope Francis stated in his annual speech to Vatican ambassadors that "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".
February 2022: Response to Russian invasion of Ukraine
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Pope Francis visited the Russian embassy in Rome, an unprecedented action. He called Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express "sorrow" and worked to find "room for negotiation" to end the war. He also assured Sviatoslav Shevchuk that he would do everything he could to help end the conflict.
July 2022: Apostolic Journey to Canada and Apology to Indigenous Peoples
In July 2022, Pope Francis made an apostolic journey to Canada, expressing sorrow, indignation, and shame over the Catholic Church's abuse of Canadian Indigenous children in residential schools. He apologized for the church's role in "projects of cultural destruction" and forced assimilation and promised a serious investigation into the history of abuse.
January 2023: Denouncement of Criminalization of Homosexuality
In a January 2023 interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis denounced the criminalization of homosexuality, calling it "unjust". He also called on the Catholic Church to "distinguish between a sin and crime" and asked bishops supporting such laws to reverse their position. The statements made in January 2023 amplified his inclusive message.
April 2023: Women Allowed to Vote at Synod of Bishops
In April 2023, Pope Francis announced that 35 women would be allowed to vote at the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, marking the first time women are allowed to vote at any Catholic Synod of Bishops.
June 2023: Address to the UN Security Council
In June 2023, Pope 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.
October 2023: Release of Laudate Deum
In October 2023, Pope Francis issued the apostolic exhortation "Laudate Deum (Praise god)", calling for decisive action against the climate crisis and condemning climate change denial, in advance of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). The October 2023 exhortation amplified his environmental message.
October 2023: Convened the Synod on Synodality
On October 4, 2023, Francis convened the beginnings of the Synod on Synodality, described as the culmination of his papacy and one of the most important events in the Church since the Second Vatican Council.
December 2023: Publication of Fiducia supplicans
In December 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, with Pope Francis's approval, issued Fiducia supplicans. This declaration clarified and reformed the Catholic Church's approach to "irregular relationships", allowing Catholic priests to perform "spontaneous blessings" for same-sex couples and other couples not adhering to traditional Catholic marriage guidelines.
2023: Rejection of Women Deacons (Late 2023)
In late 2023, Pope Francis appeared to reject the idea of women deacons in interviews, saying that "holy orders is reserved for men."
September 2024: Renewed Calls for Universal Basic Income
In September 2024, Pope Francis renewed calls for a universal basic income and higher taxes on billionaires. The September 2024 statement reiterated his stance on economic justice.
September 2024: Visit to Indonesia and Signing of the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024
In September 2024, Pope Francis visited Indonesia, where he attended inter-religious dialogue in Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta and was welcomed by the Grand Imam. Francis and the Grand Imam signed the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024 to promote peace and reconciliation.
2024: Cardinal Electors After the 2024 Consistory
After the 2024 consistory, it was noted that 110 cardinals appointed by Pope Francis were under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote at a papal conclave, while 24 were created by Benedict XVI and six by John Paul II.
2024: Climate Summit and Planetary Protocol
In 2024, Pope Francis organized a climate summit that issued a Planetary Protocol for Climate Change Resilience, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction, climate change adaptation, and societal transformation. The 2024 summit aimed to promote concrete actions on climate change.
2024: Rejection of Women Deacons (2024)
In 2024, Pope Francis rejected the idea of women deacons, stating that "holy orders is reserved for men." He added that women have a charism separate from "the ministerial way" and that "the fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation, because her place is much more important".
2024: Meeting with Dialop Group
In 2024, while meeting with representatives of the Dialop group, a discussion group between Christians and Marxists, Pope Francis stated that Marxists and Christians have a common mission. Pope Francis's statement in 2024 highlighted the potential for collaboration between different ideologies.
February 2025: Cardinal Creation Count
As of February 2025, Pope Francis had created 163 cardinals from 76 countries across ten consistories.
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