History of Pope Francis in Timeline
Pope Francis is the current leader of the Catholic Church and the head of the Vatican City State. He is a historical figure as the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European-born pope since the 8th century. His papacy marks a significant shift in the Church's leadership, representing a departure from its traditional European roots.
1925: Publication of Der Gegensatz
In 1925, Romano Guardini published "Der Gegensatz", a work that Bergoglio later considered exploring for his dissertation.
December 1936: Birth of Jorge Mario Bergoglio
In December 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
December 1936: Jorge Mario Bergoglio Born
In December 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who later became Pope Francis, was born. This marks the beginning of his life journey.
March 1958: Entered the Society of Jesus as a Novice
On 11 March 1958, Bergoglio entered the Society of Jesus as a novice.
1958: Inspired to Join the Jesuits
In 1958, after recovering from a severe case of pneumonia and cysts, Bergoglio was inspired to join the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).
March 1960: Became a Jesuit
On 12 March 1960, Bergoglio officially became a Jesuit, making his religious profession.
1960: Obtained Licentiate in Philosophy
In 1960, Bergoglio obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio Máximo de San José in San Miguel, Buenos Aires Province.
1962: Restrictions on the 1962 Roman Missal
On 16 July 2021, Pope Francis issued the motu proprio Traditionis custodes, instituting increased restrictions on the use of the 1962 Roman Missal.
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, Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires.
1967: Began Theological Studies
In 1967, Bergoglio began his theological studies at Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel.
December 1969: Ordained to the Priesthood
On 13 December 1969, Bergoglio was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano.
1969: Ordained as a Catholic Priest
In 1969, Bergoglio was ordained as a Catholic priest, marking a significant step in his religious career.
1972: Suspension of Jerónimo Podestá
In 1972, Jerónimo Podestá, a former bishop, had been suspended as a priest after opposing the Argentine Revolution military dictatorship.
April 1973: Took Final Vows as a Jesuit
On 22 April 1973, Bergoglio took final, solemn vows as a Jesuit, including the fourth vow of obedience to missioning by the pope.
1973: Jesuit Provincial Superior in Argentina
In 1973, Bergoglio became the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina, a position he held until 1979.
1976: Bergoglio criticized the dictatorship
In 1976, during the Dirty War, Oliveira described Bergoglio as "anguished" and "very critical of the dictatorship" but unable to speak out openly due to the difficult circumstances.
1979: End of Term as Provincial Superior
In 1979, Bergoglio's six-year term as provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina ended.
1979: John Paul II's Historic Trip to Ireland
In 1979, John Paul II made a historic trip to Ireland.
June 1980: Pastoral Provision for Anglican priests
The Pastoral Provision of 20 June 1980 allowed married Anglican priests to be received into the Catholic Church and ordained as priests.
1980: Rector of Philosophical and Theological Faculty
In 1980, Bergoglio was named the rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel.
1980: Esquivel's defense of Bergoglio
In 1980, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel said that Bergoglio "never collaborated with the dictatorship" during the Dirty War, although "perhaps he didn't have the courage of other priests."
1986: Replaced as Rector
In 1986, Bergoglio was replaced as rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel.
1990: False photo circulated
In 1990, an alleged photo of Bergoglio giving sacramental bread to dictator Jorge Rafael Videla circulated online, but it was proven false. The actual priest was Carlos Berón de Astrada, and the photo was taken after Videla's presidential pardon.
June 1992: Named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires
In June 1992, Bergoglio was named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires and was consecrated on 27 June 1992.
1992: Asked Not to Live in Jesuit Residences
In 1992, Jesuit authorities requested that Bergoglio not live in Jesuit residences due to ongoing tensions and concerns.
June 1997: Appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires
In June 1997, Bergoglio was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires.
February 1998: Became Metropolitan Archbishop of Buenos Aires
In February 1998, Bergoglio became the metropolitan archbishop of Buenos Aires after Quarracino's death.
November 1998: Named Ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Argentina
On 6 November 1998, Bergoglio was named ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Argentina who lacked a prelate of their own church, while remaining archbishop of Buenos Aires.
1998: Archbishop of Buenos Aires
In 1998, Bergoglio became the archbishop of Buenos Aires, a significant promotion in his ecclesiastical career.
1999: De la Rúa replaced Menem as president
In 1999, Fernando de la Rúa replaced Carlos Menem as president of Argentina. Bergoglio celebrated the annual Mass at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on the First National Government holiday.
1999: Yorio's accusations against Bergoglio
In a 1999 interview, Jesuit priest Orlando Yorio accused Bergoglio of not doing enough to free him and Franz Jalics from their kidnapping in 1976, implying that Bergoglio effectively handed them over to the death squads.
2000: Bergoglio criticized society's apathy
In 2000, Bergoglio criticized the perceived apathy of society during Argentina's economic depression. He also declined to participate in a dialogue facilitated by the church between economic and political leaders.
2000: Reconciled with Jerónimo Podestá
In 2000, Bergoglio reconciled with Jerónimo Podestá and defended Podestá's wife from Vatican attacks on their marriage.
2000: John Paul II Appoints McCarrick as Archbishop
In 2000, Pope John Paul II appointed McCarrick as archbishop, despite multiple reports of sexual abuse allegations.
2000: Yorio's death
Orlando Yorio, one of the Jesuit priests kidnapped in 1976, who accused Bergoglio of not doing enough to free him, died in 2000.
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 Riots
In December 2001, Bergoglio led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina.
December 2001: Intervention during police repression
In December 2001, during police repression of riots, Bergoglio contacted the Ministry of the Interior to request that the police distinguish rioters and vandals from peaceful protesters.
2001: Met with Ramón Puerta
In 2001, Bergoglio met with Ramón Puerta, the Senate president, and was assured that the Justicialist Party would support President De la Rúa in advancing necessary legislation.
2004: Celebrated Mass with President Kirchner
In 2004, Bergoglio celebrated Mass with President Néstor Kirchner, requesting more political dialogue, rejecting intolerance, and criticizing exhibitionism.
April 2005: Attended Pope John Paul II's Funeral
In April 2005, Bergoglio attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II and was considered a potential successor, or 'papabile'. He then participated in the papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.
September 2005: Runner-up in the 2005 Papal Conclave
In September 2005, Limes magazine reported that Bergoglio was the runner-up and main challenger to Cardinal Ratzinger in the 2005 conclave, allegedly receiving 40 votes in the third ballot before falling back to 26 in the fourth ballot.
November 2005: Elected President of Argentine Episcopal Conference
In November 2005, Bergoglio was elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three-year term.
2005: Authorized beatification request for Pallottine community members
In 2005, Cardinal Bergoglio authorized a request for beatification for six Pallottine community members murdered in the San Patricio Church massacre, while also ordering an investigation into the murders.
2005: Criminal complaint filed against Bergoglio
In 2005, a human rights lawyer, Myriam Bregman, filed a criminal complaint against Bergoglio, accusing him of involvement in the 1976 kidnapping of two Jesuit priests. The complaint was ultimately dismissed.
2005: Second in Conclave
In the 2005 conclave, Bergoglio came in second to Cardinal Ratzinger on all ballots and appeared as the only other viable candidate.
2005: Considered Name Choice
Reportedly, had Bergoglio been elected in 2005, he would have chosen "John XXIV" in honor of John XXIII.
2006: Helped Joaquín Piña win elections
In 2006, Bergoglio helped Joaquín Piña win elections in the Misiones Province, preventing an amendment to the local constitution that would have allowed indefinite re-elections.
2006: Ricard named Cardinal by Benedict XVI
In 2006, Jean-Pierre Ricard was named as cardinal by Benedict XVI.
2007: Summorum Pontificum
In 2007, Benedict XVI established permissions for the celebration of the Tridentine Mass, which was later altered by Traditionis custodes in July 2021.
2007: Sciatica Attack
In 2007, an attack of sciatica prevented Francis from attending a consistory and delayed his return to Argentina for several days.
2007: Established Weekly Mass in Extraordinary Form
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 Argentine Episcopal Conference
In November 2008, Bergoglio was re-elected as president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for another three-year term.
2008: Called for national reconciliation
In 2008, Bergoglio called for national reconciliation during disturbances in the country's agricultural regions, which the government interpreted as support for anti-government demonstrators.
2009: Anglican Ordinariate
In 2009 the Anglican ordinariate allowed married Anglican priests to be received into the Catholic Church and ordained as priests.
October 2010: Kirchner's death
Néstor Kirchner, who considered Bergoglio a political rival, died in October 2010, after which Bergoglio's relations with Kirchner's widow and successor remained tense.
2010: Bergoglio Commissioned Study on Father Julio César Grassi
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: Bergoglio Leads Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage Bill in Argentina
In 2010, while serving as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio led public opposition to the parliamentary bill on legalizing same-sex marriage in Argentina.
December 2011: Submitted Resignation as Archbishop
In December 2011, upon turning 75, 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 was defrocked by Pope Benedict.
2012: Vatican Opinion on 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 at its meetings who questioned church doctrine.
February 2013: Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
In February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI resigned, paving the way for a papal conclave that would elect Bergoglio as his successor.
March 2013: Request to allow married men to be ordained
In March 2013, British Catholic peers and members of Parliament requested Pope Francis to allow married men in Great Britain to be ordained as priests, maintaining celibacy for bishops, citing the anomaly with married Anglican priests being received into the Catholic Church and ordained.
March 2013: Song Dedicated to Francis and Released
In March 2013, a song titled "Come Puoi" ("How You Can") was dedicated to Pope Francis and released in Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, and Italian.
March 2013: First Easter Homily: Plea for Peace
On 31 March 2013, during his first Easter homily, Pope Francis made a plea for world peace, specifically mentioning the Middle East, Africa, and North and South Korea, as well as speaking against greed and for environmental protection.
March 2013: Elected Pope Francis
On March 13, 2013, Bergoglio was elected pope on the fifth ballot of the 2013 papal conclave, taking the papal name Francis.
March 2013: Continued Curia Positions and Named Personal Secretary
On March 16, 2013, Francis asked all those in senior positions of the Roman Curia to continue in office provisionally and named Alfred Xuereb as his personal secretary.
March 2013: First Audience and Name Choice
On March 16, 2013, at his first audience, Francis explained that he chose the name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi because of his concern for the poor.
March 2013: Papal Inauguration
On March 19, 2013, Francis held his papal inauguration in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, celebrating Mass in the presence of various political and religious leaders.
April 2013: Council of Cardinal Advisers Appointment
On 13 April 2013, Pope Francis appointed eight cardinals to a new Council of Cardinal Advisers to advise him on revising the organizational structure of the Roman Curia. The group included critics of Vatican operations, and their first meeting was scheduled for October 1–3.
May 2013: First Canonizations
On 12 May 2013, Pope Francis presided over the first canonizations of his pontificate, including the Martyrs of Otranto and religious sisters 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, largely the work of Benedict XVI.
July 2013: "Who am I to judge?" Statement
In July 2013, Francis's televised "Who am I to judge?" statement regarding LGBT individuals was widely reported.
November 2013: Publication of Evangelii gaudium
On 24 November 2013, Pope Francis published his first major letter as pope, the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium, which he described as the programmatic of his papacy.
December 2013: Named "Person of the Year" by Time and The Advocate
In December 2013, Pope Francis was named "Person of the Year" by both Time and The Advocate magazines, recognizing his influence and impact.
2013: Cardinal Composition at the 2013 Conclave
At the 2013 conclave that elected Francis pope, 35% of cardinals were from the Curia.
2013: Shift in Geographical Distribution of Voting-Age Cardinals
In 2013, Europe accounted for 52% of voting-age cardinals.
2013: First long interview
In 2013, Francis's comments in his first long interview, especially his statements about encountering God in the world of today, were described as liberal.
2013: Reaffirmation of Reform Program
In 2013, Pope Francis initially reaffirmed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's program to reform the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious, which had been initiated under Pope Benedict XVI.
January 2014: Restriction on Monsignor Titles
In January 2014, Pope Francis announced he would appoint fewer monsignors and only assign the lowest rank, chaplain of His Holiness, to diocesan priests at least 65 years old, associating the title with careerism.
January 2014: Featured on Rolling Stone Cover
In January 2014, Rolling Stone magazine featured Pope Francis on their front cover, signifying his widespread recognition and appeal.
February 2014: First Consistory and Public Appearance with Benedict XVI
In February 2014, Pope Francis held his first consistory, during which he publicly appeared with his predecessor, Benedict XVI, marking a rare occasion.
February 2014: Survey on Catholic Teachings
In February 2014, a survey showed that many Catholics disagreed with at least some of Pope Francis' teachings, specifically on issues such as abortion, contraception, divorce, ordination of women, and married priests.
February 2014: Name Choice
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.
April 2014: Approval of Equipollent Canonizations and Canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II
In April 2014, Pope Francis approved the equipollent canonizations for José de Anchieta, Marie of the Incarnation and François de Laval, and canonized his predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II on April 27, 2014.
April 2014: Refusal to Publish Survey Results
In April 2014, the Catholic Church in England and Wales refused to publish results of a survey on opinions among the laity, as a senior Vatican official requested confidentiality until after October, disappointing reformers hoping for more lay involvement in decision-making.
August 2014: Beatification of Paul Yun Ji-Chung and 123 Companions
On August 16, 2014, Pope Francis presided over the beatification of Paul Yun Ji-Chung and 123 companions, recognizing them as blessed within the Catholic Church.
September 2014: Presided Over First Joint Public Wedding Ceremony
On 14 September 2014, Pope Francis presided over his first joint public wedding ceremony in a Nuptial Mass for 20 couples from the Archdiocese of Rome.
September 2014: Approval of Beatification for Álvaro del Portillo
On September 27, 2014, Pope Francis approved the beatification for Álvaro del Portillo of Opus Dei, recognizing his holiness and contribution to the church.
October 2014: Beatification of Pope Paul VI
On October 19, 2014, Pope Francis presided over the beatification of his predecessor, Pope Paul VI, marking a step towards potential canonization.
2014: Assertion of Catholic Doctrine
In 2014 Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, a vocal conservative, stated Pope Francis opposed both abortion and gay marriage. Additionally, the Vatican's chief spokesman noted that Francis would not change or redefine church theology on doctrinal matters.
2014: Appointments of Cardinals from Developing Countries
In 2014, Pope Francis appointed Chibly Langlois from Haiti and Philippe Nakellentuba Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso as cardinals, representing developing nations.
2014: Reversal of Defrocking Decision for Mauro Inzoli
In 2014, Pope Francis reversed the decision to defrock Mauro Inzoli, instead ordering him to retire to a life of prayer and humble discretion.
2014: Vatican criticism of news agencies
In 2014, the Vatican criticized news agencies for reporting on Francis's remarks as suggestive of an opening toward acceptance of same-sex marriage or civil unions.
January 2015: Canonization of Joseph Vaz in Sri Lanka
On January 14, 2015, Pope Francis canonized Joseph Vaz during his visit to Sri Lanka, marking a significant event in the Catholic Church's recognition of sainthood.
April 2015: Indiction of the Special Jubilee Year of Mercy
In April 2015, Pope Francis inaugurated a Special Jubilee Year of Mercy with his papal bull Misericordiae Vultus.
April 2015: Closure of Investigation
In April 2015, the investigation into the Leadership Conference of Women Religious was brought to a close, potentially anticipating Pope Francis's visit to the U.S. in September 2015, and recognizing the sisters' emphasis aligned with Francis's priorities.
May 2015: Release of Encyclical Laudato si'
In May 2015, Francis released his major encyclical on the environment, Laudato si' (Praise be to you).
May 2015: Francis Meets with Raúl Castro
In May 2015, Pope Francis met with Cuban leader Raúl Castro in Vatican City. Castro later said he was considering returning to the Catholic Church.
May 2015: Approval of Beatification for Óscar Romero
On May 23, 2015, Pope Francis approved the beatification of the martyred archbishop Óscar Romero, acknowledging his martyrdom and sanctity.
June 2015: Publication of Laudato si'
On 18 June 2015, Pope Francis published his first own encyclical Laudato si' concerning care for the planet.
June 2015: Visit to Sarajevo
On 6 June 2015, Francis visited Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, urging peace in the religiously diverse city.
September 2015: Francis Meets with Kim Davis
In September 2015, Francis met with Kim Davis, a county clerk who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples.
September 2015: Visit to the United Nations
In September 2015, Francis visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where he addressed the UN General Assembly and visited the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.
September 2015: Visit to the U.S.
Pope Francis visited the U.S. in September 2015.
November 2015: Release of "Wake Up!" Album
On 27 November 2015, the album "Wake Up!" was released, featuring speeches by Pope Francis and accompanying music.
December 2015: Start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy
On December 8, 2015, the Jubilee Year of Mercy commenced, lasting until November 2016.
2015: Criticism After Visit to Cuba
After Francis's visit to Cuba in 2015, Catholic Yale historian Carlos Eire said Francis had a "preferential option for the oppressors" in Cuba.
2015: Biographical Films Released
By 2015, two biographical films about Pope Francis were released: Call Me Francesco and Francis: Pray for me.
2015: Media portrayal of Cuba trip
During Francis's 2015 trip to Cuba, American and British media highlighted the religious aspect and interaction with regular Cubans, while Cuban media depicted it as a diplomatic visit with elites.
2015: Declaration of Saint Gregory of Narek as Doctor of the Church
In 2015, Pope Francis declared Saint Gregory of Narek as the 36th Doctor of the Church, bestowing the honor upon him with delegations from the Armenian Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church present.
2015: Criticism for Supporting Bishop Juan Barros
In 2015, Pope 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.
2015: European migrant crisis
In April 2016, Francis, along with other Christian leaders, visited the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos, Greece, to highlight the 2015 European migrant crisis.
April 2016: Visit to Moria refugee camp
In April 2016, Francis, along with other Christian leaders, visited the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos, Greece, to highlight the 2015 European migrant crisis.
April 2016: Publication of Amoris laetitia
On 8 April 2016, Pope Francis published his second apostolic exhortation, Amoris laetitia, remarking on love within the family.
June 2016: Canonization of Maria Elisabeth Hesselblad and Stanislaus Papczyński
On June 5, 2016, Pope Francis canonized Maria Elisabeth Hesselblad and Stanislaus Papczyński, adding them to the recognized saints of the Catholic Church.
November 2016: Premiere of oratorio Laudato si'
On 6 November 2016, the oratorio Laudato si', in which Pope Francis appears next to Mary, Francis of Assisi, and Clare of Assisi, was premiered in the Limburg Cathedral.
November 2016: Establishment of the World Day of the Poor
On November 20, 2016, Pope Francis established the World Day of the Poor in his Apostolic Letter, Misericordia et Misera.
November 2016: End of the Jubilee Year of Mercy
The Special Jubilee Year of Mercy, inaugurated by Pope Francis, concluded on November 20, 2016.
2016: Conviction of Mauro Inzoli in Civil Court
In 2016, Mauro Inzoli was convicted of sexually abusing children in Italian civil court and sentenced to prison.
2016: Creation of Study Commission on the Women's Diaconate
In 2016, Pope Francis initiated dialogue on the possibility of deaconesses, creating a Study Commission on the Women's Diaconate to research the role of female deacons in early Christianity.
2016: Included in Forbes list of most powerful people in the world
In 2016, Pope Francis was included in Forbes lists of most powerful people in the world.
2016: Francis Contrasted with Donald Trump
Since 2016, Francis has been contrasted with U.S. President Donald Trump, with some conservative critics drawing comparisons between the two.
2016: Intensification of Criticism Against Francis by Theological Conservatives
Since 2016, criticism against Francis by theological conservatives has intensified.
January 2017: Demand for resignation of Matthew Festing
In January 2017, Francis demanded the resignation of Matthew Festing, the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, due to a controversy over the firing of Baron Albrecht von Boeselager.
March 2017: Supreme Court of Argentina Upholds Conviction of Father Julio César Grassi
In March 2017, the Supreme Court of Argentina upheld the conviction and 15-year prison sentence against Father Julio César Grassi, despite a previous study commissioned by then-Cardinal Bergoglio concluding Grassi's innocence.
May 2017: Appointment of new leader of the Order of Malta
In May 2017, following the resignation of Matthew Festing, the Order of Malta appointed Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto as its new leader.
May 2017: Vatican Raises Climate Change Issue with President Trump
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.
June 2017: Francis Meets with Venezuelan Bishops
In June 2017, Francis met with Venezuelan bishops amidst criticism from them against President Nicolás Maduro.
July 2017: "Filial Correction" of Francis
In July 2017, a group of conservative clergy, academics, and laymen signed a document labelled as a "Filial Correction" of Pope Francis, criticizing him for promoting what they described as seven heretical propositions during his pontificate.
September 2017: Admission of Mishandling the Inzoli Case
In September 2017, Pope Francis admitted that he mishandled the Mauro Inzoli case, acknowledging his error in judgment as a new pope.
September 2017: Beatification of Two Colombian Martyrs
On September 8, 2017, Pope Francis presided over the beatification of two Colombian martyrs, honoring their sacrifice and faith.
November 2017: Confirmation of John Paul I to be Venerable
On November 8, 2017, Pope Francis confirmed his predecessor John Paul I to be Venerable, recognizing him for his heroic virtue.
December 2017: Signing of Veritatis gaudium
On 8 December 2017, Francis signed a new apostolic constitution on ecclesiastical universities and faculties Veritatis gaudium, published 29 January 2018.
2017: Müller Replaced as Prefect
In 2017, Pope Francis replaced Cardinal Müller with Luis Ladaria Ferrer as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
2017: Pope Francis Interview on Augsburg Visit
In 2017, Pope Francis stated in an interview for the German newsweekly Die Zeit that he had never been to Augsburg.
2017: Francis Commissions Vatican Investigation into McCarrick
In 2017, following renewed allegations against McCarrick, Pope Francis commissioned a Vatican investigation.
2017: Canonization of Child Visionaries and Additional Saints
In mid-2017, Pope Francis canonized the two child visionaries Francisco and Jacinta Marto during his visit to Fátima and canonized 35 additional saints on October 15, 2017.
January 2018: Meeting with Yazidi refugees
In January 2018, Francis met Yazidi refugees in Europe, expressed support for their religious freedom, and urged international action against the Yazidi genocide.
January 2018: Publication of Veritatis gaudium
Veritatis gaudium, signed on 8 December 2017, was published on 29 January 2018. It is a new apostolic constitution on ecclesiastical universities and faculties.
March 2018: Publication of Gaudete et exsultate
On 19 March 2018, the apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et exsultate (Rejoice and be glad), was published, dealing with "the call to holiness in today's world" for all persons.
May 2018: Premiere of "Pope Francis: A Man of His Word"
In May 2018, the documentary film "Pope Francis: A Man of His Word" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was released in the United States on 18 May 2018.
July 2018: McCarrick Resigns from College of Cardinals
In July 2018, Theodore McCarrick resigned from the College of Cardinals following allegations of sexual misconduct.
August 2018: Criticism for Suggesting Gay Children Seek Psychiatric Treatment
In August 2018, Francis was criticized for suggesting that gay children seek psychiatric treatment.
October 2018: Francis Orders Review of Church's Handling of McCarrick Case
In October 2018, Pope Francis ordered a review of the Church's "institutional knowledge and decision-making" related to Theodore McCarrick.
October 2018: Recognition of Seven Saints including Pope Paul VI and Óscar Romero
On October 14, 2018, Pope Francis recognized seven new saints, including his predecessor Pope Paul VI and Óscar Romero, acknowledging their contributions and sanctity.
2018: Francis Visits Ireland, Apologizes for Sexual Abuse
In 2018, Francis visited Ireland and apologized for sexual abuses by clergy in the United States and Ireland.
2018: Acknowledgment of Errors and Resignation of Chilean Bishops
In 2018, Pope Francis acknowledged he had made "grave errors" in judgement about Juan Barros, apologized to the victims and launched a Vatican investigation that resulted in the resignation of three Chilean bishops.
2018: Appointments of Cardinals from Developing Countries
In 2018, Pope Francis appointed Patrick D'Rozario from Bangladesh and Dieudonné Nzapalainga from the Central African Republic as cardinals, representing developing nations.
2018: Revision of the Catechism on the Death Penalty
In 2018, Pope Francis revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church to declare the death penalty inadmissible, committing the Church to its worldwide abolition.
2018: Criticism of Vatican-China Agreement
In 2018, the Vatican-China agreement was criticized for allegedly selling out Chinese Catholics and undermining the Vatican's spiritual authority.
2018: Initial Vatican-China Deal
In 2018, the initial deal between the Vatican and China was made.
January 2019: Letter Criticizing Francis's Christmas Address on Venezuela
In January 2019, 20 former presidents in Latin America wrote a letter to Francis criticizing his Christmas address regarding the ongoing Venezuelan crisis.
February 2019: Francis Convenes Summit on Sexual Abuse
In February 2019, Francis convened a four-day summit on sexual abuse, organized by Hans Zollner.
February 2019: Visit to Abu Dhabi
In February 2019, Francis visited Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and became the first pope to celebrate Mass on the Arabian Peninsula.
February 2019: Acknowledgment of Abuse and Summit on Sexual Abuse
In February 2019, Pope 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.
May 2019: Promulgation of Vos estis lux mundi
On 9 May 2019, as a follow-up to the summit on clergy sexual abuse, Pope Francis promulgated the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi, specifying responsibilities for reporting abuse.
October 2019: Canonization of Five New Saints including Cardinal John Henry Newman
On October 13, 2019, Pope Francis canonized five new saints, including Cardinal John Henry Newman, further expanding the Catholic Church's recognized saints.
December 2019: Francis Abolishes "Pontifical Secrecy" in Sexual Abuse Cases
In December 2019, Francis abolished the "pontifical secrecy" privilege in sexual abuse cases.
2019: Synod on the Church in the Amazon Region
In 2019 Francis oversaw a synod on the church in the Amazon region.
2019: Francis Defrocks Theodore McCarrick
In 2019, Francis defrocked Theodore McCarrick, a former archbishop of Washington, due to repeated reports of sexual misconduct.
2019: Statue in St. Peter's Square
In 2019, Francis placed a statue in St. Peter's Square to bring attention to the Christian imperative involved in the plight of refugees and migrants.
2019: Conference on World Day of Social Communications
In 2019, Pope Francis held a conference on the World Day of Social Communications, highlighting the pros and cons of social media.
2019: Portrayed in "The Two Popes" Film
In 2019, Pope Francis is played by Jonathan Pryce in the biographical drama film "The Two Popes".
2019: Issuance of Split Report on Women's Diaconate
In 2019, Pope Francis said the commission on the Women's Diaconate issued a split report and was unable to come to a consensus.
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, which should be recognised as such by the international community".
March 2020: Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, Pope Francis cancelled his regular general audiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers, and offered prayers for those affected.
March 2020: Creation of the Vatican COVID-19 Commission
On March 20, 2020, Pope Francis asked the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development to create a Vatican COVID-19 Commission.
April 2020: Empanelment of New Commission on the Women's Diaconate
In April 2020, Pope Francis empaneled a new commission, led by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi with an entirely new membership, to study the issue of deaconesses.
September 2020: Pompeo Urges Francis to Oppose China's Human Rights Violations
In September 2020, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Pope Francis to stand against China's human rights violations.
September 2020: Publication of Scripturae sacrae affectus
On 30 September 2020, Pope Francis published the apostolic letter Scripturae sacrae affectus to celebrate the 16th centenary of the death of Jerome.
October 2020: Premiere of "Francesco" Documentary
On 21 October 2020, the documentary "Francesco" directed by Evgeny Afineevsky premiered.
October 2020: Publication of Fratelli tutti
On 4 October 2020, Pope Francis published the encyclical Fratelli tutti on fraternity and social friendship, using St. Francis's own words to describe our universal brotherhood and sisterhood.
November 2020: Vatican Releases Report on McCarrick's Career
In November 2020, Francis authorized the release of a 449-page report of the Vatican's two-year investigation into McCarrick's career.
November 2020: Wrote an 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 global solidarity.
December 2020: Publication of Patris corde and Proclamation of Year of Saint Joseph
On 8 December 2020, Pope Francis published the apostolic letter Patris corde ("With a Father's Heart") and 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 Preached a Lenten Meditation
In 2020, Rupnik preached a Lenten meditation for priests working in the Roman Curia, including Pope Francis and Luis Ladaria Ferrer
2020: Vatican-China Agreement Renewed
In 2020, the Vatican-China agreement, initially established in 2018, was renewed for an additional two years.
2020: Encyclical Fratelli Tutti on the Death Penalty
In his 2020 encyclical Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis repeated that the death penalty is "inadmissible" and that "there can be no stepping back from this position".
January 2021: Allowing 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.
March 2021: Historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani
In March 2021, Francis held a historic meeting with Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, urging peaceful coexistence between Muslim and Christian communities.
April 2021: Confirmation of the Equipollent Canonization for Margherita della Metola
On April 24, 2021, Pope Francis confirmed the equipollent canonization for Margherita della Metola, adding her to the list of saints without the standard canonization process.
June 2021: Publication of Pascite gregem Dei
On 1 June 2021, Pope Francis published the apostolic constitution Pascite gregem Dei, reforming Vatican penal law and strengthening penalties for sexual abuse, financial crimes, and the ordination of women.
July 2021: Traditionis custodes Issued
In July 2021, Pope Francis issued Traditionis custodes, imposing new restrictions on the use of the Traditional Latin Mass.
July 2021: Issuance of Traditionis custodes
On 16 July 2021, Pope Francis issued the motu proprio Traditionis custodes, increasing restrictions on the use of the 1962 Roman Missal and limiting the permissions for the celebration of the Tridentine Mass established by Benedict XVI in 2007.
September 2021: Approval of Beatification for Stefan Wyszyński
On September 12, 2021, Pope Francis approved the beatification of the prominent Polish cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, recognizing his virtuous life and service to the Church.
November 2021: Francis Thanks Journalists for Uncovering Child Sexual Abuse
In November 2021, Francis thanked journalists for their work in uncovering child sexual abuse scandals in the church.
November 2021: Visit to war cemetery
On All Souls' Day, 1 November 2021, Francis visited a war cemetery in Rome, paying tribute to fallen soldiers and calling for global peace.
2021: Rumors of Resignation Dismissed
In 2021, Pope Francis dismissed rumors that health problems would prompt his resignation.
January 2022: Condemnation of the Death Penalty in Address to Vatican Ambassadors
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".
January 2022: Francis Meets Privately with Rupnik
On January 3, 2022 Francis met privately with Marko Rupnik.
April 2022: Attendance of Ukrainian officials at Vatican Easter vigil
In April 2022, a delegation of Ukrainian officials, including the mayor of Melitopol, attended the Vatican Easter vigil with Francis, who prayed for an end to the "darkness of war" and spoke in Ukrainian.
August 2022: Description of Darya Dugina's death
In August 2022, Francis described the killing of Darya Dugina as a case of the death of innocents in the war, drawing protest from Ukraine's ambassador.
September 2022: Statements on Ukraine's right to self-defense
In September 2022, Francis acknowledged Ukraine's right to defend itself but called for a negotiated settlement and discussed the morality of arms transfers during the conflict.
September 2022: Confirmation of John Paul I to be Blessed
On September 4, 2022, Pope Francis confirmed his predecessor John Paul I to be Blessed, marking a significant step toward potential canonization.
October 2022: Vatican and China Renew Agreement
In October 2022, the Vatican and the Chinese government renewed their agreement.
October 2022: Appeal to Putin to halt violence in Ukraine
In early October 2022, Francis directly appealed to Putin to halt the "spiral of violence and death" in Ukraine and warned against nuclear escalation.
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.
November 2022: Comments on Russian soldiers
In November 2022, Francis made controversial comments about the cruelty of Russian soldiers, singling out Chechens and Buryats, which sparked criticism and accusations of racism.
November 2022: Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard Admits to Sexual Abuse
In November 2022, French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard admitted to having sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in the 1980s.
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 in Jiangxi without Vatican approval.
2022: Apology for Church's Role in Cultural Genocide
In 2022, Pope Francis apologized for the Church's role in the "cultural genocide" of the Canadian indigenous peoples.
2022: Publicly used a Wheelchair
Since 2022, Pope Francis has publicly used a wheelchair due to persistent knee pain, acknowledging a new, slower phase of his papacy.
January 2023: Francis Denounces Criminalization of Homosexuality
In a January 2023 interview with the Associated Press, Francis denounced the criminalization of homosexuality, calling it "unjust".
February 2023: Trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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".
February 2023: Assurance to Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
In February 2023, the day after the invasion began, Francis assured Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church that he would do everything he can to help end the Ukraine conflict.
April 2023: China Installs Bishop Without Approval
In April 2023, China installed Joseph Shen Bin as bishop of Shanghai without Vatican approval, further violating the agreement.
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: Announcement of secret peace mission
In April 2023, during a trip to Budapest, Francis announced that he was working on a secret "mission" to bring peace and return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, though his efforts have not been successful.
June 2023: Address to the UN Security Council
In June 2023, Francis issued an address to the UN Security Council while recovering from abdominal surgery, with the statement read by a Vatican official on his behalf.
June 2023: Underwent Abdominal Surgery
In June 2023, Pope Francis underwent abdominal surgery for a hernia at Gemelli Hospital and spent several days recovering.
August 2023: Remarks to young Russian Catholics
In August 2023, Francis angered Ukraine by praising the Russian Empire and urging young Russian Catholics not to forget their heritage, echoing Vladimir Putin's rhetoric.
October 2023: Francis Issues Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum
In October 2023, Francis issued the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum, calling for decisive action against the climate crisis and condemning climate change denial.
October 2023: Convening of the Synod on Synodality
On 4 October 2023, Pope 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: Prepared tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore
In December 2023, Francis revealed that his tomb was already prepared at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome, near the Salus populi Romani icon, making him the first pope since Pope Leo XIII to be buried outside the Vatican.
December 2023: Fiducia supplicans Declaration Issued
In December 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, with Pope Francis's approval, issued the Fiducia supplicans declaration, allowing Catholic priests to perform "spontaneous blessings" of same-sex couples.
2023: Cardinal Elector Composition
As of early 2023, out of the cardinal-electors, 94 were created by Francis, 27 by Benedict XVI, and eight by John Paul II.
2023: Rupnik Expelled from Society of Jesus
In 2023, Marko Rupnik was expelled from the Society of Jesus for disobedience rather than for the abuse allegations.
2023: Shift in Geographical Distribution of Voting-Age Cardinals
In 2023, under Francis's papacy, Europe accounted for 39% of voting-age cardinals (down from 52% in 2013).
2023: Rejection of Women Deacons
In late 2023, Pope Francis appeared to reject the idea of women deacons, saying that "holy orders is reserved for men."
January 2024: Francis Discusses Sex at Weekly General Audience
On 17 January 2024, Francis 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".
January 2024: African Churches Reject Blessing Same-Sex Couples
On January 11, 2024, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu announced that all episcopal conferences in Africa would reject blessings for same-sex couples, as was proposed in the Fiducia supplicans declaration.
February 2024: Suggestion for Ukraine to negotiate
In February 2024, Francis suggested that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag, and to negotiate", which was interpreted as a call for surrender and sparked criticism.
February 2024: Milei Visits the Vatican
On February 11 2024, Javier Milei visited the Vatican and Pope Francis canonized María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, the first female Argentine saint.
March 2024: Cardinal Creation Statistics
As of March 2024, Pope Francis created 142 cardinals from 70 nations across nine consistories during his 11 years of papacy.
September 2024: Francis Calls for Universal Basic Income and Higher Taxes on Billionaires
In September 2024, Francis renewed calls for a universal basic income, as well as higher taxes on billionaires.
September 2024: Visit to Indonesia
In September 2024, Francis visited Indonesia, attending inter-religious dialogue and signing the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024 to promote peace and reconciliation, and also listened to Islamic prayers being recited.
November 2024: Francis Modifies Papal Funeral Rites
On 20 November 2024, Francis modified papal funeral rites to resemble those of a bishop and opted for a simple wooden casket for his burial, deviating from traditional papal burial requirements.
December 2024: Bruise on Chin at St. Peter's Basilica
On 7 December 2024, Pope Francis was seen at St. Peter's Basilica with a bruise on his chin, caused by hitting it on his night stand the previous morning.
December 18, 2024: Canonization of the Carmelites of Compiègne
On December 18, 2024, Pope Francis canonized the Carmelites of Compiègne by equipolence, adding them to the list of recognized saints within the Catholic Church.
2024: Status of Catholics in China
As of 2024, there are approximately 10 million Catholics in China.
2024: Francis Organizes Climate Summit
In 2024, Francis organized a climate summit that issued a Planetary Protocol for Climate Change Resilience including three main pillars: greenhouse gas emissions reduction, climate change adaptation, and societal transformation.
2024: Rejection of Women Deacons
In 2024, Pope Francis appeared to reject the idea of women deacons, saying that "holy orders is reserved for men."
2024: Pope Francis Encourages Dialogue Between Christians and Marxists
In 2024, Pope Francis encouraged the Dialop group, a discussion group between Christians and Marxists, to fight together and stated that Marxists and Christians have a common mission.
2024: Vatican and China Renew Agreement Again
In 2024, the Vatican and the Chinese government renewed their agreement again.
January 2025: DDF Concludes Information Gathering on Rupnik Case
In January 2025, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández confirmed the DDF had concluded its process of gathering information and was working to establish an independent tribunal to move forward with judicial proceedings regarding the Marko Rupnik case.
January 2025: Release of Memoir "Hope"
On 14 January 2025, Pope Francis released his memoir titled "Hope", marking the first time a pope has published a memoir.
January 2025: Publication of Francis's Memoir 'Hope'
On 14 January 2025, the English translation of Francis's memoir, titled 'Hope,' was published by Penguin Random House.
January 2025: Bruise on Right Forearm after Falling
On 16 January 2025, Pope Francis suffered a bruise on his right forearm after falling in the Vatican's Santa Marta hotel.
February 2025: Hospitalized due to Bronchitis
In February 2025, Pope Francis was hospitalized due to bronchitis.
