Lasting Legacy of Pope Francis: A Look at the Influence on History

How the contributions of Pope Francis continue to shape the world today.

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.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

March 2013: Tributes and Popularity

In March 2013, a song titled Come Puoi ("How You Can") was dedicated to Pope Francis, a street in La Plata, Argentina, was renamed in his honor, and legislation was passed to mint a commemorative coin. Sales of papal souvenirs were also up.

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.

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.

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: 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: Rolling Stone Cover

In January 2014, Rolling Stone magazine featured Pope Francis on their front cover.

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.

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: Declaration of Saint Gregory of Narek as Doctor of the Church

In 2015, Pope Francis declared Saint Gregory of Narek as a Doctor of the Church.

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: Forbes List Inclusion

In 2016, Pope Francis was included in Forbes lists of most powerful people in the world.

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.

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: 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.

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2019: Portrayal in The Two Popes

In 2019, Pope Francis was played by Jonathan Pryce in the biographical film The Two Popes.

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October 2020: Premiere of Documentary Francesco

On 21 October 2020, the documentary Francesco, directed by Evgeny Afineevsky, premiered.

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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: 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'.

December 2021: End of the Year of Saint Joseph

The 'Year of Saint Joseph', proclaimed by Pope Francis on the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, concluded on 8 December 2021.

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'.

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.

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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: Declaration of Saint Irenaeus of Lyon as Doctor of the Church

In 2022, Pope Francis declared Saint Irenaeus of Lyon as a Doctor of the Church.

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.