History of Pope Francis in Timeline
Pope Francis is the current head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. He marks several historical firsts: the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas and Southern Hemisphere, and the first born and raised outside Europe since the 8th century. His papacy is noted for its emphasis on mercy, social justice, and environmental stewardship, as well as efforts to reform the Vatican bureaucracy and address issues such as clerical sexual abuse.
1925: Publication of "Der Gegensatz"
In 1925, Romano Guardini published "Der Gegensatz", a work that Bergoglio later considered exploring for his dissertation.
December 1936: Born in Buenos Aires
On December 17, 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, later Pope Francis, was born in Flores, Buenos Aires, the eldest of five children to Italian immigrant Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sívori.
December 1936: Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born
On December 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who would later become Pope Francis, was born. This event marks the birth of the future leader of the Catholic Church.
March 1958: Entered the Society of Jesus
On March 11, 1958, Jorge Bergoglio entered the Society of Jesus as a novice, after studying at 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 after recovering from a severe illness, marking the beginning of his journey within the Jesuit order.
March 1960: Became an Official Jesuit
On March 12, 1960, Bergoglio officially became a Jesuit, making his religious profession with the initial, perpetual vows.
1960: Obtained a licentiate in philosophy
In 1960, Bergoglio obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio Máximo de San José, marking an important milestone in his academic pursuits.
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, contributing to his early career as an educator.
1965: Taught at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción
In 1965, Bergoglio continued to teach literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, Santa Fe.
1966: Taught at the Colegio del Salvador
In 1966, Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires, expanding his teaching career.
1967: Began theological studies
In 1967, Bergoglio began his theological studies at Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel, preparing him for his future role in the Church.
December 1969: Ordained by Archbishop Ramon Jose Castellano
On December 13, 1969, Bergoglio was ordained by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano, marking a significant step in his religious career.
1969: Ordained a Catholic priest
In 1969, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained as a Catholic priest, solidifying his commitment to the Church.
1972: Suspension of Jeronimo Podesta
In 1972, Jeronimo Podesta was suspended as a priest after opposing the Argentine Revolution military dictatorship.
April 1973: Took final vows as a Jesuit
On April 22, 1973, Bergoglio took his final vows as a Jesuit, including obedience to missioning by the Pope.
1973: Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina
In 1973, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina, a role he held until 1979.
1976: Allegations Regarding Kidnapping of Jesuit Priests
In 1976, during Argentina's Dirty War, Bergoglio faced allegations regarding the Argentine Navy's kidnapping of two Jesuit priests, Orlando Yorio and Franz Jalics. He had feared for their safety and tried to change their work prior to their arrest.
1976: Military Junta's Image in Early 1976
In early 1976, the military junta still had a good image in Argentine society, and the scale of political repression was not yet widely known. 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, Bergoglio's six-year term as provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina concluded.
1979: Historic trip of John Paul II to Ireland
In 1979, John Paul II made a historic trip to Ireland.
1980: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Statement
In 1980, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, stated that Bergoglio may not have had the courage of other priests during the Dirty War but never collaborated with the dictatorship.
1980: Appointed rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel
In 1980, Bergoglio was named the rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel after spending three months in Ireland to learn English.
1984: Testimony on San Patricio Church Massacre
In 1984, testimony indicated that members of the Argentine Navy perpetrated the San Patricio Church massacre on the orders of Rear Admiral Rubén Chamorro, an event that Cardinal Bergoglio ordered investigated in 2005.
1986: Replaced as Rector
In 1986, Bergoglio was replaced as rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel, due to disagreements with the Society of Jesus.
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 requested that Bergoglio not live in Jesuit residences due to tensions, concerns about his views, and his role as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires.
June 1997: Appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires
In June 1997, Bergoglio was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires.
February 1998: Became Metropolitan Archbishop
In February 1998, Bergoglio became the metropolitan archbishop of Buenos Aires following Quarracino's death.
November 1998: Named Ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Argentina
In November 1998, while remaining archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio was named Ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Argentina, who lacked a prelate of their own church.
1998: Appointed archbishop of Buenos Aires
In 1998, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the archbishop of Buenos Aires, a significant promotion in his ecclesiastical career.
1999: De la Rúa Replaces Menem as President
In 1999, Fernando de la Rúa replaced Carlos Menem as president of Argentina. As an archbishop, Bergoglio celebrated the annual Mass at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on the First National Government holiday, 25 May.
1999: Yorio's Accusation Against Bergoglio
In a 1999 interview, Yorio accused Bergoglio of effectively handing him and Franz Jalics over to the death squads during the Dirty War by declining to endorse their work to the authorities. Yorio believed that Bergoglio did nothing "to free us, in fact just the opposite".
2000: Reconciled with Jeronimo Podesta
In 2000, Bergoglio was the only church official to reconcile with Jerónimo Podestá, a former bishop, and defended Podesta's wife.
2000: Appointment of McCarrick as Archbishop
In 2000, Pope John Paul II appointed McCarrick as archbishop, accepting the churchman's denials of sexual abuse, despite multiple reports.
February 2001: Made a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II
In February 2001, Archbishop Bergoglio was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II, receiving the title of cardinal priest of San Roberto Bellarmino, marking a significant elevation in his ecclesiastical status.
December 2001: Intervention During Police Repression
During the police repression of the riots in December 2001, Bergoglio contacted the Ministry of the Interior and requested that the police distinguish between rioters and vandals from peaceful protesters.
December 2001: Led the Argentine Church during riots
In December 2001, Jorge Mario Bergoglio led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina, facing political rivalry from the Kirchner administrations.
2001: Continued as archbishop of Buenos Aires
In 2001, Bergoglio continued to serve as the archbishop of Buenos Aires after being elevated to the cardinalate.
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 him.
2004: Mass at Cathedral and Political Dialogue Request
In 2004, Bergoglio celebrated Mass at the cathedral, where President Néstor Kirchner attended. Bergoglio requested more political dialogue, rejection of intolerance, and criticism of exhibitionism and strident announcements.
April 2005: Attended John Paul II's Funeral
In April 2005, Bergoglio attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II and was considered a possible successor to the papacy. He then participated in the 2005 papal conclave that ultimately elected Pope Benedict XVI.
September 2005: Reported as Runner-Up in 2005 Conclave
In September 2005, the Italian magazine Limes published claims that Bergoglio was the runner-up and main challenger to Cardinal Ratzinger at the 2005 papal conclave. The claims suggested he received 40 votes in the third ballot but fell back to 26 in the fourth and decisive ballot, based on a diary from an anonymous cardinal.
November 2005: Elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference
In November 2005, Bergoglio was elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three-year term, marking a significant leadership role within the Church in Argentina.
2005: Potential Pontifical Name
Had Bergoglio been elected in 2005, he would have chosen the pontifical name "John XXIV" in honour of John XXIII, inspired by the "Good Pope".
2005: Authorized Beatification Request for Pallottine Community Members
In 2005, Cardinal Bergoglio authorized the request for beatification for six members of the Pallottine community murdered in the San Patricio Church massacre and ordered an investigation into the murders.
2005: Criminal Complaint Filed and Dismissed
In 2005, Myriam Bregman, a human rights lawyer, filed a criminal complaint against Bergoglio, accusing him of involvement in the kidnapping of two Jesuit priests in 1976. The complaint was subsequently dismissed.
2006: Helped Joaquín Piña Win Elections
In 2006, Bergoglio helped fellow Jesuit Joaquín Piña win elections in the Misiones Province to prevent an amendment of the local constitution allowing indefinite re-elections, which Kirchner intended to replicate nationally.
2007: Established weekly Mass
In 2007, Bergoglio established a weekly Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, following new rules for pre-Vatican II liturgical forms.
November 2008: Re-elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference
In November 2008, Bergoglio was re-elected as president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, continuing his leadership role.
2008: Call for National Reconciliation
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: Kirchner's Death
Néstor Kirchner, who considered Bergoglio a political rival, died in 2010. Bergoglio's relations with Kirchner's widow and successor, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, remained tense.
2010: Public 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.
December 2011: Submitted resignation as archbishop
In December 2011, Bergoglio submitted his resignation as archbishop of Buenos Aires to Pope Benedict XVI upon turning 75, as required by canon law, but remained in office pending the appointment of a replacement.
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
In February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI resigned, paving the way for the papal conclave that would elect Bergoglio as his successor.
March 2013: Elected Pope Francis
On March 13, 2013, Bergoglio was elected pope on the fifth ballot of the 2013 papal conclave and took the name Francis. The announcement was made by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.
March 2013: First Audience and Choice of Name
On March 16, 2013, at his first audience, Francis explained that he chose the name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi due to his concern for the poor, influenced by Cardinal Cláudio Hummes's words 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, focusing on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph in his homily.
March 2013: First Easter Homily
On March 31, 2013, Francis delivered his first Easter homily, making a plea for world peace, speaking out against greed, and urging humanity to better protect the environment.
April 2013: Council of Cardinal Advisers Appointed
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 Francis's Pontificate
On 12 May 2013, Pope Francis presided over his first canonizations, including the Martyrs of Otranto and religious sisters Laura of St. Catherine of Siena and María Guadalupe García Zavala. This surpassed Pope John Paul II's record for the most saints canonized in a pontificate.
June 2013: Publication of Lumen fidei
On 29 June 2013, Pope Francis published the encyclical Lumen fidei, which was largely the work of Benedict XVI but awaited a final draft at 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, which he described as the programmatic of his papacy.
December 2013: Person of the Year Awards
In December 2013, both Time and The Advocate magazines named Pope Francis as their "Person of the Year".
2013: Reaffirmed Reform Program for U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious
In 2013, 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.
2013: First Long Interview
In 2013, Pope Francis's comments in his first long interview were described by William Saletan as liberal. Francis stated that "God is to be encountered in the world of today" and "God manifests himself in historical revelation, in history".
January 2014: Limiting the Title of Monsignor
In January 2014, Pope Francis announced he would appoint fewer monsignors and only assign those honored to the lowest rank, chaplain of His Holiness, awarded only to diocesan priests at least 65 years old, associating the title with clerical careerism.
January 2014: Vatican Bank Reform and Oversight Changes
In January 2014, Pope Francis replaced four of the five cardinal overseers of the Vatican Bank, who had been confirmed in their positions during Benedict XVI's papacy. Lay experts and clerics were assigned to examine the bank's operations, and Ernst von Freyberg was placed in charge. Moneyval indicated the need for further reforms, and Francis expressed willingness to close the bank if reforms proved too challenging.
January 2014: Rolling Stone Cover
In January 2014, Rolling Stone magazine featured Pope Francis on their front cover.
February 2014: First Consistory with Benedict XVI
In February 2014, Pope Francis held his first consistory, marking a rare public appearance with his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
September 2014: 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.
December 2014: Restoration of U.S.-Cuba Diplomatic Relations
On December 17, 2014, U.S. president Barack Obama and Cuban president Raúl Castro jointly announced the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Pope Francis played a key role in the talks toward this restoration.
2014: Synod on the Family
In 2014, Francis oversaw a synod on the family.
2014: Reversal of Laicization of Mauro Inzoli
In 2014, Pope Francis reversed the decision to laicize Mauro Inzoli, an Italian priest accused of child sexual abuse, allowing him to remain a priest but removed from public ministry.
2014: Vatican Criticism of Media Coverage
In 2014, the Vatican criticized some Italian news agencies and Agence France-Presse for reporting remarks by Pope Francis as suggestive of acceptance of same-sex marriage or civil unions, stating the remarks were taken out of context.
April 2015: Investigation Brought to a Close
In April 2015, the Vatican's investigation of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious was brought to a close.
April 2015: Inauguration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy
In his April 2015 papal bull of indiction, Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis inaugurated a Special Jubilee Year of Mercy to run from 8 December 2015 to 20 November 2016.
May 2015: Release of encyclical Laudato si'
In May 2015, Pope Francis released his major encyclical on the environment, Laudato si' (Praise be to you).
May 2015: Meeting with Raúl Castro
In May 2015, after a meeting between Pope Francis and Cuban leader Raúl Castro, Castro said that he was considering returning to the Catholic Church due to the Pope's speeches and commentaries.
June 2015: Publication of Laudato si'
On 18 June 2015, Pope Francis published his first own encyclical Laudato si' concerning care for the planet.
September 2015: Met with Kim Davis
In September 2015, Pope Francis met with Kim Davis, a county clerk who was jailed for six days for contempt of court for refusing to issue marriage licences for same-sex couples.
September 2015: Visit to the United Nations
In September 2015, Pope 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: Anticipated Visit to the U.S.
The timing of the closure of the investigation into the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in April 2015, may have anticipated a visit by Francis to the U.S. in September 2015. It was noted that the sisters' emphasis is close to that of Francis.
November 2015: Release of Music Album Wake Up!
In November 2015, the 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 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Special Jubilee Year of Mercy, inaugurated by Pope Francis, commenced.
2015: Attention to the 2015 European migrant crisis
In 2015, Pope Francis called the attention of the world to the 2015 European migrant crisis.
2015: Criticism for supporting Juan Barros
In 2015, Pope Francis faced criticism for supporting Chilean bishop Juan Barros, who was accused of covering up Catholic Church sexual abuse cases in Chile, including crimes committed against minors.
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 the attention of the world to the 2015 European migrant crisis. The three Christian leaders signed a joint declaration there.
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, which later gave rise to controversy.
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, to celebrate the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
November 2016: Conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Mercy
On 20 November 2016, the last Sunday before Advent and the Solemnity of the Feast of Christ the King of the Universe, the Special Jubilee Year of Mercy, inaugurated by Pope Francis, concluded.
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 the 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: Forbes List Inclusion
In 2016, Pope Francis was included in Forbes lists of most powerful people in the world.
2016: Contrasted with Donald Trump
Since 2016, Pope Francis has been contrasted with U.S. president Donald Trump, with some conservative critics drawing comparisons between the two.
2016: Intensified criticism from theological conservatives
Since 2016, criticism against Pope Francis by theological conservatives has intensified.
March 2017: Upholding of Father Grassi's Conviction
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, despite a 2010 study commissioned by then-Cardinal Bergoglio which concluded Grassi was innocent.
May 2017: Appointment of Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre
In May 2017, Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was appointed leader of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
June 2017: Met with Venezuela's bishops
In June 2017, Pope Francis met with the country's bishops, and the Venezuelan bishops' conference president stated, "There is no distance between the episcopal conference and the Holy See.".
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 it described as seven heretical propositions during his pontificate.
September 2017: Admission of Mishandling the Inzoli Case
In September 2017, Pope Francis admitted in unscripted remarks that he mishandled the Mauro Inzoli case, stating that as a new pope, he chose the more benevolent sentence but later learned from his mistake.
October 2017: Response to Catalan Independence Referendum
In October 2017, after the Catalan independence referendum, Pope Francis communicated that the Vatican would not recognize secessionist movements not resulting from decolonization.
2017: Highlighted impacts of climate change at 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.
2017: Commissioned Vatican investigation into McCarrick
In 2017, Pope Francis commissioned a Vatican investigation after renewed allegations against McCarrick, which found that McCarrick had sexually molested both adults and minors.
January 2018: Meeting with 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 silent regarding the Yazidi genocide.
March 2018: Publication of Gaudete et exsultate
In March 2018, Pope Francis published the apostolic exhortation Gaudete et exsultate, which focuses on the call to holiness for all people, addresses contemporary versions of heresies, and describes how Jesus' beatitudes call people to 'go against the flow'.
July 2018: McCarrick resigned from the College of Cardinals
In July 2018, McCarrick resigned from the College of Cardinals following allegations of sexual misconduct.
August 2018: Criticized for suggesting gay children seek psychiatric treatment
In August 2018, Pope Francis was criticized for suggesting that gay children seek psychiatric treatment.
October 2018: Ordered review of Church's decision-making related to McCarrick
In October 2018, Pope Francis ordered a review of the Church's "institutional knowledge and decision-making" related to McCarrick in response to the allegations of sexual misconduct.
2018: Acknowledged "grave errors" in judgement about Barros
In 2018, Pope Francis acknowledged he had made "grave errors" in judgement about Barros, apologized to the victims and launched a Vatican investigation that resulted in the resignation of three Chilean bishops: Barros, Gonzalo Duarte, and Cristián Caro.
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' and that the Church 'works with determination for its abolition worldwide'.
2018: Papal tour of 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 Rapprochement with China
In 2018, Pope Francis's efforts toward rapprochement with China sparked controversy. Cardinal Joseph Zen criticized the 2018 agreement as a step toward the "annihilation" of the Catholic Church in China, arguing that it "sold out" Chinese Catholics by accepting infringements on religious freedom and undermining the Vatican's spiritual authority.
2018: Vatican Deal with China
In 2018, The Vatican reached a deal with China regarding the appointment of Catholic bishops.
2018: Release of Documentary 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 Abuse and Clergy Sex Abuse Summit
In February 2019, Pope Francis acknowledged sexual abuse of religious sisters by priests and bishops. To address the clergy sex abuse scandal, he convened a summit on clergy sexual abuse in February 2019.
February 2019: Convened a summit on sexual abuse
In February 2019, Pope Francis convened a summit on sexual abuse organized by Hans Zollner.
February 2019: Signing of the 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 statement addressed how different faiths can live peaceably in the same areas. Criticisms focused on the passage about God's will regarding the diversity of religions.
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, which specified responsibilities for reporting abuse directly to the Holy See, while involving another bishop in the archdiocese of the accused bishop.
December 2019: Abolished the "pontifical secrecy" privilege in sexual abuse cases
In December 2019, Pope 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: Apostolic Constitution Episcopalis communio
In 2019, Francis's apostolic constitution Episcopalis communio allowed that the final document of a synod may become magisterial teaching simply with papal approval. The constitution also allowed for laity to contribute input directly to the synod's secretary general.
2019: Defrocked Theodore McCarrick
In 2019, Pope Francis defrocked Theodore McCarrick, a former archbishop of Washington, who maintained a prominent position in the church for decades despite repeated reports of sexual misconduct against him dating back to the 1980s.
2019: Statue in St. Peter's Square
In 2019, Pope 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: Stated ecocide was a sin
In 2019, Pope Francis stated that ecocide was a sin and should be made "a fifth category of crimes against peace".
2019: Lack of Consensus in First Commission on Women's Diaconate
In 2019, Pope Francis stated that the Study Commission on the Women's Diaconate, created in 2016, was unable to come to a consensus.
2019: Portrayal in The Two Popes
In 2019, Pope Francis was played by Jonathan Pryce in the biographical film The Two Popes.
2019: Criticism During Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Protests
In 2019, during the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, Pope Francis was criticized for not taking a stand against China's repression. Instead, he was quoted saying, "I would like to go to China. I love China," and compared the protests in Hong Kong to those seen in Chile and France.
March 2020: Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis canceled regular general audiences, encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers, urged care for the poor, offered prayers for people with the virus, and invoked the Blessed Virgin Mary. He also reacted with displeasure to the closure of churches in the Diocese of Rome, pleading 'not to leave the ... people alone' and working to partially reverse the closures.
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 to Study Women's Diaconate
In April 2020, Pope Francis empaneled a new commission, led by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, with a new membership, to study the issue of women deacons.
October 2020: Premiere of Documentary Francesco
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.
November 2020: Authorized release of Vatican report on McCarrick's career
In November 2020, Francis authorized the release of the report of the Vatican's two-year investigation into McCarrick's career, which largely faulted Pope John Paul II.
November 2020: Op-ed in 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 Year of Saint Joseph
On 8 December 2020, Pope Francis published the apostolic letter Patris corde on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. To mark the occasion, the Pope proclaimed a 'Year of Saint Joseph' from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021 on the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.
2020: Rupnik preached a Lenten meditation
In 2020, Marko Rupnik preached a Lenten meditation for priests working in the Roman Curia, including Pope Francis and Luis Ladaria Ferrer.
2020: Agreement renewed for two years
In 2020, the Vatican-China agreement was renewed for two years.
2020: Reiteration of 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: Issuance of Spiritus Domini and Appointment of Women
In January 2021, Pope Francis issued Spiritus Domini, allowing bishops to institute women to the ministries of acolyte and lector. He also appointed women to positions previously held only by men, including Nathalie Becquart as co-undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops.
June 2021: Publication of Pascite gregem Dei
On 1 June 2021, Pope Francis published the apostolic constitution Pascite gregem Dei. The document reformed Vatican penal law by strengthening the penalties for sexual abuse and financial crimes; it also more harshly punished the ordination of women.
July 2021: Issuance of Traditionis custodes
In July 2021, Pope Francis issued Traditionis custodes, reversing Benedict XVI's decision in Summorum Pontificum and imposing new restrictions on the use of the Traditional Latin Mass. The letter returned to the bishops the power to grant or ban the Latin Mass in their dioceses. Traditionis custodes has been criticized by prelates.
November 2021: Thanked journalists for uncovering child sexual abuse scandals
In November 2021, Pope Francis thanked journalists for their work uncovering child sexual abuse scandals in the church.
2021: Resignation Rumors
In 2021, Pope Francis's health problems prompted rumors that he might resign, which Francis dismissed.
January 2022: Private meeting with Pope Francis
In January 2022, after his conviction, Rupnik preached in 2020 a Lenten meditation for priests working in the Roman Curia, including Pope Francis and Luis Ladaria Ferrer, and met privately with Pope Francis.
January 2022: Condemnation of the Death Penalty in Speech 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' and that it 'fuels the thirst for vengeance'.
February 2022: Response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
In February 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis visited the Russian embassy in Rome, an unprecedented action. He called Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express "sorrow" and assured Sviatoslav Shevchuk that he would do everything to help end the conflict. The day after the invasion, the Pope called for peace.
July 2022: Apostolic Journey to Canada and Apology for Indigenous Abuse
In July 2022, Pope Francis made an apostolic journey to Canada, expressing sorrow, indignation, and shame over the 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.
September 2022: Statements on Ukraine War and Arms Transfers
In September 2022, seven months into the war, Pope Francis stated that it was "licit" for Ukraine to defend itself but called for a negotiated settlement. He suggested arms transfers to Ukraine could be morally acceptable under certain conditions and recounted reports of atrocities inflicted upon Ukraine.
October 2022: Premiere of Documentary 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.
November 2022: French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard admitted to abuse
In November 2022, French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard admitted to having sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in the 1980s in Marseille.
November 2022: Vatican Accuses China of Violating Agreement
In November 2022, the Vatican publicly accused China of violating the agreement by installing John Peng Weizhao as an auxiliary bishop without Vatican 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, acknowledging the Church's past wrongdoings.
2022: Use of Wheelchair
Since 2022, Pope Francis has publicly used a wheelchair due to persistent knee pain, which he acknowledged marked a "new, slower phase of his papacy".
January 2023: Denounced the criminalization of homosexuality
In a January 2023 interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis denounced the criminalization of homosexuality (which he called "unjust").
February 2023: Resignation Speculation Dismissed
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", dismissing rumors about his potential resignation due to health problems.
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 (just over 10% of all voters), marking the first time women are allowed to vote at any Catholic Synod of Bishops.
April 2023: China Installs Bishop of Shanghai Without Approval
In April 2023, the Chinese government installed Joseph Shen Bin as bishop of Shanghai without Vatican approval.
June 2023: Address to the UN Security Council
In June 2023, while recovering from abdominal surgery, Pope Francis issued an address to the UN Security Council, read by Vatican official Paul Gallagher on the Pope's behalf.
October 2023: Issued the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum
In October 2023, Pope Francis issued the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (Praise god), in which he called for decisive action against the climate crisis and condemned climate change denial.
October 2023: Convened Synod on Synodality
On October 4, 2023, Francis convened the beginnings of the Synod on Synodality, described by some as the culmination of his papacy and one of the most important events in the Church since the Second Vatican Council.
December 2023: Issuance of Fiducia supplicans
In December 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by Pope Francis, issued Fiducia supplicans, a declaration to provide clarification and reforms on the Catholic Church's treatment of "irregular relationships", including allowing "spontaneous blessings" of same-sex couples.
2023: Expulsion of Rupnik from the Society of Jesus
In 2023 Marko Rupnik was expelled from the Society of Jesus for disobedience rather than for the abuse allegations and was later incardinated into the Diocese of Koper.
2023: Apparent Rejection of Women Deacons
In interviews in late 2023, Pope Francis appeared to reject the idea of women deacons, saying that 'holy orders is reserved for men.'
January 2024: African Episcopal Conferences Reject Blessings for 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 proposed in Fiducia supplicans. This statement highlights the controversies surrounding the declaration.
February 2024: Milei's Visit to the Vatican
On February 11, 2024, Javier Milei visited the Vatican on the day Francis canonized María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, the first female Argentine saint. This followed Milei softening his previously critical stance towards Francis.
September 2024: Renewed calls for a universal basic income
In September 2024, Pope Francis renewed calls for a universal basic income, as well as higher taxes on billionaires.
November 2024: Modified papal funeral rites
On 20 November 2024, Pope Francis modified papal funeral rites in order to make his funeral rites similar to that of a bishop. He also modified the papal burial requirements to no longer include the traditional three coffins of cypress, lead, and oak, opting to instead be buried in a simple wooden casket.
2024: Cardinal Composition After 2024 Consistory
After the 2024 consistory, there were 110 cardinals appointed by Pope Francis under the age of 80, making them eligible to vote at a papal conclave.
2024: Situation of China's Catholics
As of 2024, China's Catholics numbered approximately 10 million.
2024: Organized a climate summit
In 2024, Pope Francis organized a climate summit that issued a Planetary Protocol for Climate Change Resilience.
2024: Vatican and China Renew Agreement
In 2024, The Vatican and the Chinese government renewed their agreement.
2024: Stated that Marxists and Christians have a common mission
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.
2024: Continued Rejection of Women Deacons
In interviews in 2024, Pope Francis appeared to reject the idea of women deacons, saying that 'holy orders is reserved for men.' Francis said that 'the fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation, because her place is much more important' and that women had a charism separate from 'the ministerial way.'
January 2025: Establishment of an independent tribunal
In January 2025, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández confirmed the DDF was working to establish an independent tribunal to move forward with judicial proceedings.
February 2025: 163 Cardinals Created by Francis
As of February 2025, Pope Francis had created 163 cardinals from 76 countries across ten consistories.
February 2025: Response to US Bishops on Nativism
In February 2025, Pope Francis responded to US bishops regarding nativism, criticizing the focus on solely family, community or national identity as "[introducing] an ideological criterion that distorts social life and imposes the will of the strongest".
February 2025: Hospitalization and Health Concerns
In February 2025, Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome due to bronchitis, which was complicated by a polymicrobial infection and pneumonia. His condition was described as critical, and later it was announced he had early-stage kidney failure.
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