History of Pope Francis in Timeline
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.
1925: Publication of Der Gegensatz
In 1925, Romano Guardini published "Der Gegensatz", a work later explored by Bergoglio.
1929: Bergoglio's family left Italy
In 1929, Mario Bergoglio's family left Italy to escape the fascist rule of Benito Mussolini.
March 1958: Entered the Society of Jesus
On 11 March 1958, Jorge Mario Bergoglio entered the Society of Jesus as a novice after studying at the Inmaculada Concepción Seminary in Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires.
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.
March 1960: Became a Jesuit
On 12 March 1960, Bergoglio officially became a Jesuit after making his initial vows.
1960: Obtained licentiate in philosophy
In 1960, Jorge Mario Bergoglio obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio Máximo de San José.
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.
1967: Began theological studies
In 1967, Jorge Mario Bergoglio began his theological studies at Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel.
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.
1972: Jerónimo Podestá opposed the Argentine Revolution military dictatorship
In 1972, Jerónimo Podestá, who later reconciled with Bergoglio in 2000, opposed the Argentine Revolution military dictatorship.
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.
1976: Allegations regarding kidnapping of Jesuit priests
In 1976, Bergoglio faced allegations regarding the Argentine Navy's kidnapping of two Jesuit priests, Orlando Yorio and Franz Jalics, during Argentina's Dirty War. He feared for their safety and attempted to change their work prior to their arrest.
1976: Early Image of the Military Junta
In 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. This could explain why Bergoglio would have had little reason to suspect that the detention of Yorio and Jalics could end in their deaths.
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.
1979: John Paul II's Historic Trip to Ireland
In 1979, Pope John Paul II made a historic trip to Ireland. The 1979 trip was the first Papal visit to Ireland and had a lasting impact.
1980: Nobel Peace Prize laureate's statement on Bergoglio's role during the dictatorship
In 1980, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, commented on Bergoglio's role during the Dirty War, stating that while Bergoglio may not have had the courage of other priests, he never collaborated with the dictatorship.
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.
1984: Investigation Ordered into San Patricio Church Massacre
In 1984 testimony indicated that the murders of the Pallottine community in the San Patricio Church massacre were perpetrated by members of the Argentine Navy on the orders of Rear Admiral Rubén Chamorro. Bergoglio also ordered an investigation into the murders.
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.
1992: Asked not to live in Jesuit residences
In 1992, Jesuit authorities asked Bergoglio not to live in Jesuit residences due to tensions and concerns over his views.
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.
1999: De la Rúa replaces Menem as president of Argentina
In 1999, Fernando de la Rúa replaced Carlos Menem as president of Argentina. Archbishop Bergoglio celebrated the annual Mass at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on the First National Government holiday, 25 May.
1999: Yorio's accusations against Bergoglio
In a 1999 interview, Yorio accused Bergoglio of effectively handing him and Franz Jalics over to the death squads by declining to tell the authorities that he endorsed their work. Yorio stated that he believed Bergoglio did nothing to free them.
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.
2000: Appointment of McCarrick as Archbishop
In 2000, Pope John Paul II appointed Theodore McCarrick as archbishop, despite multiple reports of sexual abuse allegations against him. The 2000 appointment was later found to be a significant error in judgment.
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.
2001: Meeting with Ramón Puerta
In 2001, Bergoglio met with Ramón Puerta, the Senate president, and was positively impressed. Puerta assured him that the Justicialist Party was not planning to oust President De la Rúa and promised to support the president.
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: Criminal complaint filed against Bergoglio
In 2005, Myriam Bregman, a human rights lawyer, filed a criminal complaint against Bergoglio, accusing him of involvement in the 1976 kidnapping of two Jesuit priests, Orlando Yorio and Franz Jalics. The complaint was later dismissed.
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.
2007: Established weekly Mass
In 2007, shortly after Benedict XVI introduced new rules for pre-Vatican II liturgical forms, Bergoglio established a weekly Mass in this extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.
November 2008: Re-elected President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference
On 11 November 2008, Bergoglio was re-elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference.
2008: Called for national reconciliation during disturbances
In 2008, Bergoglio called for national reconciliation during disturbances in Argentina's agricultural regions, which the government interpreted as support for anti-government demonstrators.
2010: Cardinal Bergoglio Commissioned a Study
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.
2010: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage in Argentina
While serving as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio led public opposition to the parliamentary bill on legalizing same-sex marriage in Argentina, which was eventually approved by the Argentine Senate in 2010. The church source called the letter a strategic error that contributed to the bill's success. The opposition in 2010 was a notable stance before his papacy.
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.
2012: Defrocking of Mauro Inzoli
In 2012 Mauro Inzoli, an Italian priest accused of child sexual abuse, was defrocked by Francis's predecessor Benedict.
2012: Vatican opinion on the sisters' group
In 2012 the Vatican formed the opinion that the sisters' group had some feminist influences, focused too much on ending social and economic injustice and not enough on stopping abortion, and permitted speakers who questioned church doctrine.
February 2013: Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013.
March 2013: Tributes to Pope Francis
In March 2013, a song titled "Come Puoi" was dedicated to Pope Francis and released in multiple languages. A street in La Plata, Argentina, was renamed in his honour, and legislation was passed to mint a commemorative coin. Sales of papal souvenirs also increased.
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.
December 2013: Named Person of the Year
In December 2013, both Time and The Advocate magazines named Pope Francis as their "Person of the Year"; Esquire magazine named him as the "Best-dressed man" for 2013, citing his simpler vestments.
2013: Reaffirmed programme to reform the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious
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 which had been initiated under Pope Benedict XVI.
2013: Public Perception as Liberal
In 2013, Pope Francis's comments in his first long interview were described as liberal and fundamentally anti-conservative.
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.
January 2014: Rolling Stone Cover
In January 2014, Rolling Stone magazine featured Pope Francis on their front cover.
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.
2014: Reversal of Defrocking Decision for Mauro Inzoli
In 2014, Pope Francis reversed the defrocking of Mauro Inzoli, an Italian priest accused of child sexual abuse, agreeing that Inzoli should remain a priest but be removed from public ministry and ordered to retire to "a life of prayer and humble discretion".
2014: Vatican Criticism of Media Reports
In 2014, the Vatican criticized some news agencies for reporting on remarks Pope Francis made as suggestive of an opening toward acceptance of same-sex marriage or civil unions, stating the pope's remarks had been taken out of context.
April 2015: Investigation brought to a close
In April 2015 the investigation into the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious was brought to a close.
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: Raúl Castro considers returning to the Catholic Church
Following a meeting between Pope Francis and Cuban leader Raúl Castro in May 2015, Castro stated in a televised news conference that he was considering returning to the Catholic Church, citing the pope's speeches and commentaries as influential factors.
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: Meeting with Kim Davis
In September 2015, Pope Francis met with Kim Davis, a county clerk who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples. The September 2015 meeting drew criticism due to Davis's stance on same-sex marriage.
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.
September 2015: Visit to the U.S.
The timing of the closure of the investigation into the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious in April 2015 may have anticipated a visit by Francis to the U.S. in September 2015.
November 2015: Release of Wake Up! Album
In November 2015, a music album, Wake Up!, consisting of speeches by Pope Francis accompanied by music was released.
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.
2015: Criticism for supporting Juan Barros
In 2015, Pope Francis faced criticism for his support of Chilean bishop Juan Barros, who was accused of covering up sexual abuse cases within the Catholic Church in Chile. The accusations included crimes against minors.
2015: European migrant crisis
In 2015, the European migrant crisis occurred, prompting Pope Francis to take action to address the situation.
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: Inzoli Convicted of Sexually Abusing Children
In 2016, Mauro Inzoli was convicted of sexually abusing children in Italian civil court and sentenced to prison.
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.
2016: Inclusion in Forbes Lists
In 2016, Pope Francis was included in Forbes lists of most powerful people in the world.
2016: Contrast with Donald Trump
Since 2016, Pope Francis has been contrasted with U.S. president Donald Trump. 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." The 2016 comparison highlighted contrasting ideologies.
2016: Increased Criticism from Theological Conservatives
Since 2016, Pope Francis has faced intensified criticism from theological conservatives. Some have attributed the disagreement to his emphasis on pastoral discernment over theoretical principles. The 2016 criticism marked a notable shift in conservative reaction.
January 2017: Resignation of Matthew Festing
In January 2017, Pope Francis demanded the resignation of Matthew Festing, the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, following Festing's dismissal of Baron Albrecht von Boeselager. This led to Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto's appointment as leader in May 2017.
March 2017: Julio César Grassi Conviction Upheld
In March 2017, the Supreme Court of Argentina upheld the conviction and prison sentence against Father Julio César Grassi, a priest convicted of child sexual abuse. Previously, 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.
May 2017: Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto appointed leader
In May 2017, Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was appointed leader of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta after the resignation of Matthew Festing.
July 2017: "Filial Correction" of Francis
In July 2017, a group of conservative clergy, academics, and laymen signed a document labeled as a "Filial Correction" of Pope Francis, criticizing him for allegedly promoting seven heretical propositions through various words, actions, and omissions during his pontificate.
September 2017: Francis Admits Mishandling Inzoli Case
In September 2017, Pope Francis admitted that he mishandled the Mauro 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."
October 2017: Position on Catalan Independence Referendum
Following the 2017 Catalan independence referendum on 1 October 2017, Pope Francis communicated that the Vatican would not recognise secessionist or self-determination movements that were not the result of decolonisation.
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.
2017: Vatican investigation into McCarrick
In 2017, after renewed allegations against Theodore McCarrick, Pope Francis commissioned a Vatican investigation. The investigation found that McCarrick had sexually molested both adults and minors. The 2017 investigation was key in understanding the extent of McCarrick's abuse.
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.
July 2018: McCarrick's Resignation from College of Cardinals
In July 2018, Theodore McCarrick resigned from the College of Cardinals following allegations of sexual misconduct. McCarrick's resignation from the College of Cardinals was a significant step in holding him accountable.
August 2018: Suggestion of Psychiatric Treatment for Gay Children
In August 2018, Pope Francis was criticized for suggesting that gay children seek psychiatric treatment. The remarks made in August 2018 drew significant backlash.
October 2018: Review of the Church's Decision-Making on McCarrick
In October 2018, Pope Francis ordered a review of the Church's "institutional knowledge and decision-making" related to Theodore McCarrick, the review aimed to identify failures in the Church's handling of the McCarrick case. The review of the Church's decision-making was an attempt to learn from past mistakes.
2018: Acknowledging Errors and Apology
In 2018, Pope Francis acknowledged that he had made "grave errors" in his judgment regarding Juan Barros. He apologized to the victims of abuse and launched a Vatican investigation, leading to the resignation of three Chilean bishops, including Barros, Gonzalo Duarte, and Cristián Caro. The events of 2018 marked a turning point in the handling of the abuse allegations.
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.
2018: Papal Visit to Ireland
In 2018, Pope Francis visited Ireland, marking the first papal tour of the country since John Paul II's historic trip in 1979. During the visit, he apologized for sexual abuses by clergy in the United States and Ireland.
2018: Controversial agreement with China
In 2018, an agreement between the Vatican and China regarding the appointment of bishops was met with controversy. Critics like Cardinal Joseph Zen argued the 2018 agreement was a step toward the "annihilation" of the Catholic Church in China, accusing the Vatican of undermining its spiritual authority and "selling out" Chinese Catholics by accepting infringements on religious freedom.
2018: Vatican deal with China
In 2018, the Vatican reached an agreement with China, though the details were not specified in this context, it later became a point of contention due to repeated violations by the Chinese government.
2018: Release of Pope Francis: A Man of His Word
In 2018, the documentary film Pope Francis: A Man of His Word, co-written and directed by Wim Wenders, was released.
February 2019: Acknowledgment of Sexual Abuse and Summit on Clergy Sexual Abuse
In February 2019, Pope Francis acknowledged that priests and bishops were sexually abusing religious sisters. He addressed the clergy sex abuse scandal by convening a summit on clergy sexual abuse in February 2019.
February 2019: Summit on Sexual Abuse
In February 2019, Pope Francis convened a summit on sexual abuse, 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.
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: Defrocking of Theodore McCarrick
In 2019, Pope Francis defrocked Theodore McCarrick, a former archbishop of Washington, due to repeated reports of sexual misconduct against him dating back to the 1980s. The defrocking was a significant step in addressing the allegations.
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.
2019: Portrayal in The Two Popes
In 2019, Pope Francis was played by Jonathan Pryce in the biographical film The Two Popes.
2019: Criticism over Hong Kong pro-democracy protests
In 2019, during the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, Pope Francis faced criticism for not taking a stronger stance against China's repression. He was quoted as saying, "I would like to go to China. I love China," and he compared the Hong Kong protests to those in Chile and France.
March 2020: Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis cancelled regular general audiences at St. Peter's Square, encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers, urged the faithful not to forget the poor, and offered prayers for people with the virus in China. On 13 March 2020, he reacted with displeasure to the closure of all churches in the Diocese of Rome and pleaded "not to leave the people alone."
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: Premiere of "Francesco" Documentary
On 21 October 2020, the documentary Francesco directed by film producer Evgeny Afineevsky premiered.
October 2020: Publication of Fratelli tutti
On 4 October 2020, Pope Francis published the encyclical Fratelli tutti, addressing fraternity and social friendship.
November 2020: Release of Vatican's Report on McCarrick's Career
In November 2020, Pope Francis authorized the release of the Vatican's two-year investigation report into Theodore McCarrick's career. The report largely faulted Pope John Paul II for appointing McCarrick and accepting his denials of abuse. The 2020 report highlighted systemic issues within the Church.
November 2020: Francis names Uyghur minority among persecuted peoples
In November 2020, Pope Francis included China's Uyghur minority in a list of the world's persecuted peoples, drawing criticism from Zhao Lijian, the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of China, who stated that Francis's remarks had "no factual basis".
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: Rupnik's Lenten Meditation for Priests
In 2020, Marko Rupnik preached a Lenten meditation for priests working in the Roman Curia, including Pope Francis and Luis Ladaria Ferrer, raising concerns given the later allegations against him. The 2020 meditation drew criticism in light of subsequent revelations.
2020: Renewal of Vatican-China Agreement
In 2020, the provisional Vatican-China agreement was renewed for two years. The 2020 agreement renewal continued efforts to normalize relations.
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.
July 2021: Issuance of Traditionis custodes
In July 2021, Pope Francis issued the apostolic letter Traditionis custodes, reversing his predecessor Benedict XVI's decision in Summorum Pontificum and imposing new restrictions on the use of the Traditional Latin Mass. This letter returned to the bishops the power to grant or ban the Latin Mass in their dioceses, leading to criticism from prelates and lay faithful. Some critics felt the restrictions were unnecessary and implemented unjustly.
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.
2021: Rumors about Resignation
In 2021, Pope Francis's health problems prompted rumors that he might resign, which Francis dismissed.
January 2022: Private Meeting with Marko Rupnik
In January 2022, Pope Francis met privately with Marko Rupnik, who was later accused of psychological, spiritual, and sexual abuse. The January 2022 meeting drew scrutiny amidst allegations against Rupnik.
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.
September 2022: Statements on the War in Ukraine
In September 2022, Pope Francis stated that Ukraine had the right to defend itself, but called for a negotiated settlement and dialogue with all parties, including the aggressor. He also suggested that arms transfers to Ukraine could be morally acceptable under certain conditions. He acknowledged the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
October 2022: Premiere of The Letter: A Message for our Earth
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.
November 2022: Cardinal Ricard's Admission and Francis's Response
In November 2022, French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard admitted to having sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in the 1980s in Marseille. French authorities opened an investigation, and Pope Francis commented that more cases like this shouldn't surprise anyone and condemned sexual abuse. However, Francis did not deprive Ricard of his status as a cardinal.
November 2022: Vatican accuses China of violating agreement
In November 2022, the Vatican publicly accused China of violating their agreement by installing John Peng Weizhao as an auxiliary bishop without the Vatican's approval.
2022: Apology for Church's role in "cultural genocide"
In 2022, Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church's role in the "cultural genocide" of the Canadian Indigenous peoples.
2022: Use of Wheelchair and Acknowledgment of Slower Papacy Phase
Pope Francis has publicly used a wheelchair since 2022 due to persistent knee pain and acknowledged that his recurring mobility problems had precipitated the beginning of what Reuters termed "a new, slower phase of his papacy".
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.
February 2023: Statement on Resignation
During his trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in February 2023, Pope Francis said that resignation was "not in his agenda at the moment".
March 2023: Hospitalization for Respiratory Infection
In March 2023, Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome with a respiratory infection.
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.
April 2023: China installs bishop without Vatican approval
In April 2023, the Chinese government installed Joseph Shen Bin as bishop of Shanghai without Vatican approval, further straining relations between the Vatican and China.
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: Expulsion of Rupnik from Society of Jesus
In 2023, Marko Rupnik was expelled from the Society of Jesus for disobedience rather than for the abuse allegations. The 2023 expulsion was criticized for not directly addressing the abuse allegations.
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."
January 2024: Rejection of blessings for same-sex couples in Africa
In January 2024, in response to Fiducia supplicans, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu announced that all episcopal conferences in Africa, represented in SECAM, would reject blessings for same-sex couples, citing the potential for scandals. This followed considerable controversy among Catholics, including strong criticism from several conservative commentators and high-profile cardinals regarding the declaration.
February 2024: Milei visits the Vatican
On February 11, 2024, Javier Milei visited the Vatican, the day Francis canonized María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, the first female Argentine saint.
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.
November 2024: Modification of Papal Funeral Rites
On 20 November 2024, Pope Francis modified papal funeral rites to resemble those of a bishop and opted for a simple wooden casket instead of the traditional three coffins. Pope Francis will also be the first Pope since Leo XIII to be buried outside the Vatican, with plans to bury him in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore basilica. The changes in November 2024 reflect a desire for simplicity.
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: Status of Catholics in China
As of 2024, there were approximately 10 million Catholics in China. The events of 2024 highlighted the ongoing efforts to normalize the situation for Chinese Catholics.
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: Renewal of agreement with China
In 2024, the Vatican and the Chinese government renewed their existing agreement, continuing their dialogue and relationship despite previous challenges and violations.
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.
January 2025: Establishment of Independent Tribunal
In January 2025, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández confirmed that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) was working to establish an independent tribunal to move forward with judicial proceedings related to the Marko Rupnik case. The January 2025 tribunal was a step towards addressing the controversy.
February 2025: Cardinal Creation Count
As of February 2025, Pope Francis had created 163 cardinals from 76 countries across ten consistories.
February 2025: Hospitalization due to Bronchitis and Polymicrobial Infection
In February 2025, Pope Francis was hospitalized due to bronchitis and a polymicrobial infection. His condition was described as critical, and he experienced kidney failure and required mechanical ventilation.
February 2025: Response to US bishops after mass deportations
In February 2025, following mass deportations and cuts to international aid by the new US administration under President Donald Trump, Pope Francis wrote "an extraordinary and excoriating response to US bishops" who defended the policies. He criticized the use of ordo amoris to justify nativism, citing the parable of the Good Samaritan and emphasizing a fraternity open to all.
April 6, 2025: Public Appearance After Hospitalization
On April 6, 2025, Pope Francis appeared in public for the first time since his recent hospitalization, after being discharged on March 23, 2025.
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