View source for Pope Francis

{{Short description|Head of the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025}}
{{Hatnote group|{{Redirect-distinguish|Bergoglio|Borgoglio}}
{{Other people|Bergoglio|Bergoglio (surname)}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = Pope
| honorific-prefix = [[List of popes|Pope]]
| name = Francis
| title = [[Bishop of Rome]]
| image = Pope Francis Korea Haemi Castle 19 (4x5 cropped).jpg
| alt = Headshot of Pope Francis wearing papal regalia. He is clean-shaven and bald. His dress consists of a white cassock with matching pellegrina and with white-fringed fascia, silver pectoral cross, and white zucchetto.
| caption = Francis in 2014
| church = [[Catholic Church]]
| term_start = 13 March 2013
| term_end = 21 April 2025
| predecessor = [[Benedict&nbsp;XVI]]
| successor = [[Leo&nbsp;XIV]]
| previous_post = {{indented plainlist|
* [[Provincial Superior]] of the [[Jesuits]] in Argentina (1973{{nbnd}}1979)
* [[Titular Bishop of Auca]] (1992{{nbnd}}1997)
* [[Auxiliary Bishop]] of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Buenos Aires|Buenos Aires]] (1992{{nbnd}}1997)
* [[Coadjutor Bishop]] of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Buenos Aires|Buenos Aires]] (1997{{nbnd}}1998)
* [[Archbishop of Buenos Aires]] (1998{{nbnd}}2013)
* [[Ordinariate for Eastern Catholics in Argentina|Ordinary for the Faithful of the Eastern Rites in Argentina]] (1998{{nbnd}}2013)
* Cardinal Priest of [[San Roberto Bellarmino]] (2001{{nbnd}}2013)
* President of the [[Argentine Episcopal Conference]] (2005{{nbnd}}2011)}}
| ordination = 13 December 1969
| ordained_by = [[Ramón José Castellano]]
| consecration = 27 June 1992
| consecrated_by = [[Antonio Quarracino]]
| cardinal = 21 February 2001
| created_cardinal_by = [[John Paul&nbsp;II]]
| rank = [[Cardinal priest]]
| birth_name = Jorge Mario Bergoglio
| birth_date = {{birth date|1936|12|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina
| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|04|21|1936|12|17|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Domus Sanctae Marthae]], Vatican City
| buried = [[Santa Maria Maggiore]]
| education = {{indented plainlist|
* [[Maximum College of St.&nbsp;Joseph]]
* [[Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel]]
* [[Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy]]
* [[Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology]]}}
| motto = {{langnf|la|Miserando atque eligendo|By having mercy and by choosing|break=yes}}{{efn|Press reports have provided a variety of translations for the phrase. According to [[Vatican Radio]]: "Pope Francis has chosen the motto {{lang|la|Miserando atque eligendo}}, meaning 'lowly but chosen'; literally in Latin 'by having mercy, by choosing him'. The motto is one Francis used as bishop. It is taken from the homilies of the [[Venerable Bede]] on [[Saint Matthew's Gospel]] relating to his vocation: 'Jesus saw the tax collector and by having mercy chose him as an apostle saying to him: Follow me.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/18/pope_francis_:_miserando_atque_eligendo.../en1-674605 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705010045/https://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/18/pope_francis_%3A_miserando_atque_eligendo.../en1-674605 |archive-date=5 July 2013 |title=Pope Francis: 'Miserando atque eligendo'... |first=Veronica |last=Scarisbrick |date=18 March 2013 |publisher=[[Vatican Radio]] |access-date=19 March 2013}}</ref>}}
| signature = FirmaPapaFrancisco.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of Franciscus.svg
| module = {{Ordination|embed=yes|denomination=Catholic
|ordained priest by           = [[Ramón José Castellano]]
|date of priestly ordination  = 13 December 1969
|consecrated by               = [[Antonio Quarracino]]
|co-consecrators              = {{ubl|[[Ubaldo Calabresi]]|[[Emilio Ogñénovich]]}}
|date of consecration         = 27 June 1992
|place of consecration        = [[Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral]], Buenos Aires
|elevated by                  = [[Pope John Paul&nbsp;II]]
|date of elevation            = 21 February 2001
|bishop 1                     = [[Horacio Ernesto Benites Astoul]]
|consecration date 1          = 1 May 1999
|bishop 2                     = [[Jorge Rubén Lugones]]
|consecration date 2          = 30 July 1999
|bishop 3                     = [[Jorge Eduardo Lozano]]
|consecration date 3          = 25 March 2000
|bishop 4                     = [[Joaquín Mariano Sucunza]]
|consecration date 4          = 21 October 2000
|bishop 5                     = [[José Antonio Gentico]]
|consecration date 5          = 28 April 2001
|bishop 6                     = [[Fernando Carlos Maletti]]
|consecration date 6          = 18 September 2001
|bishop 7                     = [[Andrés Stanovnik]]
|consecration date 7          = 16 December 2001
|bishop 8                     = [[Mario Aurelio Poli]]
|consecration date 8          = 20 April 2002
|bishop 9                     = [[Eduardo Horacio García]]
|consecration date 9          = 16 August 2003
|bishop 10                    = [[Adolfo Armando Uriona]]
|consecration date 10         = 8 May 2004
|bishop 11                    = [[Eduardo Maria Taussig]]
|consecration date 11         = 25 September 2004
|bishop 12                    = [[Raúl Martín (bishop)|Raúl Martín]]
|consecration date 12         = 20 May 2006
|bishop 13                    = [[Hugo Manuel Salaberry Goyeneche]]
|consecration date 13         = 21 August 2006
|bishop 14                    = [[Óscar Vicente Ojea Quintana]]
|consecration date 14         = 2 September 2006
|bishop 15                    = [[Hugo Nicolás Barbaro]]
|consecration date 15         = 4 July 2008
|bishop 16                    = [[Enrique Eguía Seguí]]
|consecration date 16         = 11 October 2008
|bishop 17                    = [[Ariel Edgardo Torrado Mosconi]]
|consecration date 17         = 13 December 2008
|bishop 18                    = [[Luis Alberto Fernández Alara]]
|consecration date 18         = 27 March 2009
|bishop 19                    = [[Vicente Bokalic Iglic]]
|consecration date 19         = 29 May 2010
|bishop 20                    = [[Alfredo Zecca]]
|consecration date 20         = 18 August 2011
|bishop 21                    = [[Jean-Marie Speich]]
|consecration date 21         = 24 October 2013
|bishop 22                    = [[Giampiero Gloder]]
|consecration date 22         = 24 October 2013
|bishop 23                    = [[Fernando Vérgez Alzaga]]
|consecration date 23         = 15 November 2013
|bishop 24                    = [[Fabio Fabene]]
|consecration date 24         = 30 May 2014
|bishop 25                    = [[Angelo De Donatis]]
|consecration date 25         = 9 November 2015
|bishop 26                    = [[Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot]]
|consecration date 26         = 19 March 2016
|bishop 27                    = [[Peter Bryan Wells]]
|consecration date 27         = 19 March 2016
|bishop 28                    = [[Waldemar Stanisław Sommertag]]
|consecration date 28         = 19 March 2018
|bishop 29                    = [[Alfred Xuereb]]
|consecration date 29         = 19 March 2018
|bishop 30                    = [[José Avelino Bettencourt]]
|consecration date 30         = 19 March 2018
|bishop 31                    = [[Alberto Lorenzelli Rossi]]
|consecration date 31         = 22 June 2019
|bishop 32                    = [[Michael Czerny|Michael F. Czerny]]
|consecration date 32         = 4 October 2019
|bishop 33                    = [[Paolo Borgia]]
|consecration date 33         = 4 October 2019
|bishop 34                    = [[Antoine Camilleri (prelate)|Antoine Camilleri]]
|consecration date 34         = 4 October 2019
|bishop 35                    = [[Paolo Rudelli]]
|consecration date 35         = 4 October 2019
|bishop 36                    = [[Guido Marini]]
|consecration date 36         = 17 October 2021
|bishop 37                    = [[Andrés Gabriel Ferrada Moreira]]
|consecration date 37         = 17 October 2021}}
}}

'''Pope Francis'''{{efn|{{langx|la|Franciscus}}; {{langx|it|Francesco}}; {{langx|es|Francisco}}.}} (born '''Jorge Mario Bergoglio''';{{efn|Pronounced {{IPA|es|ˈxoɾxe ˈmaɾjo βeɾˈɣoɣljo|}} in Spanish and {{IPA|it|berˈɡɔʎʎo|}} in Italian.}} 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was head of the [[Catholic Church]] and sovereign of the [[Vatican City State]] from 13 March 2013 until [[Death and funeral of Pope Francis|his death]] in 2025. He was the first [[Jesuit]] pope, the first [[Latin American]], and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope [[Pope Gregory III|Gregory&nbsp;III]].

Born in [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina, to a family of [[Italian Argentines|Italian origin]], Bergoglio was inspired to join the Jesuits in 1958 after recovering from a severe illness. He was [[Ordination#Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican churches|ordained]] a [[Catholic priest]] in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979 he was the Jesuit [[provincial superior]] in Argentina. He became the [[archbishop of Buenos Aires]] in 1998 and was created a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] in 2001 by [[Pope John Paul&nbsp;II]]. Following [[resignation of Pope Benedict XVI|the resignation]] of [[Pope Benedict&nbsp;XVI]], the [[2013 papal conclave]] elected Bergoglio as pope on 13 March. He chose Francis as his [[papal name]] in honor of [[Saint Francis of Assisi]].

Throughout his papacy, Francis was noted for his humility, emphasis on [[God's mercy]], international visibility, [[Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue of Pope Francis|commitment to interreligious dialogue]], and concern for the poor, [[Theology of Pope Francis#Refugees and migrants|migrants, and refugees]]. Francis believed the Catholic Church should demonstrate more [[Pope Francis and LGBTQ topics|inclusivity to LGBTQ people]], and stated that although [[Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches#Catholic Church|blessings of same-sex unions]] are not permitted, individuals in same-sex relationships [[Fiducia supplicans|can be blessed]] as long as the blessing is not given in a [[liturgical]] context.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=26 January 2024 |title=Pope says LGBT blessings are for individuals, not approval of unions |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-lgbt-blessings-are-individuals-not-approval-unions-2024-01-26/ |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref> Francis made women full members of [[dicasteries]] in the [[Roman Curia]].<ref name="Dallas-2023">{{Cite web |last=Dallas |first=Kelsey |date=3 October 2023 |title=The pope's latest comments on same-sex marriage, explained |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2023/10/3/23901388/pope-comments-on-same-sex-marriage |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=Deseret News |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007060808/https://www.deseret.com/faith/2023/10/3/23901388/pope-comments-on-same-sex-marriage |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Faiola-2023">{{Cite news |last1=Faiola |first1=Andy |last2=Boorstein |first2=Michelle |last3=Brady |first3=Kate |date=2 October 2023 |title=Amid liberal revolt, pope signals openness to blessings for gay couples |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/02/pope-francis-gay-blessings-synod/ |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004142753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/02/pope-francis-gay-blessings-synod/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis convened the [[Synod on Synodality]], which was described as the culmination of his papacy and the most important event in the Catholic Church since the [[Second Vatican Council]].<ref name="Faiola-2023" /><ref name="Horowitz-2023">{{Cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Jason |last2=Povoledo |first2=Elisabetta |date=2 October 2023 |title=What Is a Synod in the Catholic Church? And Why Does This One Matter? |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/what-is-a-synod-pope-church.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=13 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113215348/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/what-is-a-synod-pope-church.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Horowitz-2023a">{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=2 October 2023 |title=Vatican Assembly Puts the Church's Most Sensitive Issues on the Table |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/pope-francis-synod.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007051525/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/pope-francis-synod.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis was known for having a less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors by, for instance, choosing to reside in the [[Domus Sanctae Marthae]] guesthouse rather than in the [[papal apartments]] of the [[Apostolic Palace]] used by previous popes. In addition, due to both his Jesuit and [[Ignatian]] aesthetic, he was known for favoring simpler [[vestment]]s devoid of ornamentation, including refusing the traditional [[papal mozzetta]] cape upon his election, choosing silver instead of gold for his [[piscatory ring]], and keeping the same [[pectoral cross]] he had as cardinal.

Concerning [[global governance]], Francis was a critic of [[trickle-down economics]], [[consumerism]], and [[overdevelopment]];<ref>{{cite web |last=Davies |first=Lizzy |date=15 December 2013 |title=Pope says he is not a Marxist, but defends criticism of capitalism |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/15/pope-francis-defends-criticism-of-capitalism-not-marxist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215222912/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/15/pope-francis-defends-criticism-of-capitalism-not-marxist |archive-date=15 December 2013 |work=[[The Guardian]] |place=[[Rome, Italy]]}}</ref> he made action on [[climate change]] a leading focus of his papacy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=7 September 2021 |title=Christian leaders unite to issue stark warning over climate crisis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/christian-leaders-unite-to-issue-stark-warning-over-climate-crisis |access-date=7 September 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=7 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907121928/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/christian-leaders-unite-to-issue-stark-warning-over-climate-crisis |url-status=live}}</ref> He viewed [[Catholic Church and capital punishment|capital punishment]] as inadmissible in all cases,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trabbic |first=Joseph G. |date=16 August 2018 |title=Capital punishment: Intrinsically evil or morally permissible? |url=https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/08/16/capital-punishment-intrinsically-evil-or-morally-permissible/ |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=[[Catholic World Report]] |archive-date=23 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223000529/https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/08/16/capital-punishment-intrinsically-evil-or-morally-permissible/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and committed the Catholic Church to its worldwide abolition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New revision of number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty – Rescriptum 'ex Audentia SS.mi' |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/08/02/180802a.html |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=press.vatican.va |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004013124/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/08/02/180802a.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis criticized the rise of [[right-wing populism]] and [[anti-immigration]] politics, calling the protection of migrants a "duty of civilization".<ref name="Lerer-2025">{{Cite news |last1=Lerer |first1=Lisa |last2=Dias |first2=Elizabeth |date=21 April 2025 |title=Trump and Pope Francis Had Sharply Different Views, and Sharp Disagreements |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/world/europe/trump-pope-francis.html |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=22 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422010833/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/world/europe/trump-pope-francis.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis supported the [[decriminalization of homosexuality]].<ref name="Staff-2023">{{Cite web |date=25 January 2023 |title=The AP Interview: Pope Francis: Homosexuality not a crime |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[AP News]] |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125071151/https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212 |url-status=live}}</ref> In international diplomacy, Francis helped to restore [[Cuban thaw|full diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States]], negotiated [[2018 Holy See–China agreement|a deal with the People's Republic of China]] to define [[Chinese Communist Party|Communist Party]] influence in appointing [[Catholic Church in China|Chinese bishops]], and encouraged peace between Israel and Palestinians, signing the Vatican's first [[Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine|treaty with the State of Palestine]]. In 2022 [[Visit by Pope Francis to Canada|he apologized]] for [[Catholic Church in Canada|the Church]]'s role in the [[cultural genocide]] of [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Canadian Indigenous peoples]] in [[Canadian Indian residential school system|residential school]]s. From 2023 he condemned [[Gaza war|Israel's military operations in Gaza]], calling for investigations of [[War crimes in the Gaza war|war crimes]]. Francis made his last public appearance on [[Easter Sunday]] before dying on 21 April 2025, [[Easter Monday]].<ref name="LastAppearance" /><ref>{{Cite news |author=Antoinette Radford |author2=Maureen Chowdhury |author3=Christopher Lamb |author4=Christian Edwards |author5=Issy Ronald |author6=Aditi Sangal |author7=Elise Hammond |date=21 April 2025 |title=Live updates on the death of Pope Francis |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/pope-francis-death-04-21-25/index.html |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=CNN}}</ref> The [[2025 papal conclave]] elected [[Leo&nbsp;XIV]] as Francis's successor on 8 May. Leo&nbsp;XIV became the second pope from the Americas, after Francis.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Prevost of the United States is named Pope Leo&nbsp;XIV |url=https://apnews.com/live/conclave-pope-catholic-church-updates-5-8-2025 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=AP News}}</ref>
{{TOC limit|3}}

==Early life==
[[File:Jorge Mario Bergoglio attended a salesian school between 1948 and 1949.jpg|thumb|Jorge Mario Bergoglio (fourth boy from the left in the third row from the top) at age 12, Salesian College ({{Circa}} 1948–1949)]]
Pope Francis was born '''Jorge Mario Bergoglio''' on 17 December 1936<ref name="directory">{{cite web |title=Direttorju Ekklezjastiku 2016 |url=https://ms.maltadiocese.org/WEBSITE/2016/DIRETTORJU2016.pdf |date=30 June 2016 |publisher=The Church in Malta |language=mt, en |pages=1–2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122212612/https://ms.maltadiocese.org/WEBSITE/2016/DIRETTORJU2016.pdf |archive-date=22 November 2016}}</ref> in [[Flores, Buenos Aires|Flores]],<ref name=Remeseira /> a [[Subdivisions of Buenos Aires|neighbourhood]] of [[Buenos Aires]].<ref name="directory" /> He was the eldest<ref name=Garrido /> of the five children of Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sívori. Mario Bergoglio was an [[Italian Argentine|Italian immigrant]] and an accountant<ref name=biografia /> from [[Piedmont]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Loup Besmond de Senneville |url=https://international.la-croix.com/religion/death-of-the-pope-from-jorge-mario-bergoglio-to-francis-an-account-of-his-argentine-years |website=international.la-croix.com |title=Death of the pope: From Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Francis, an account of his Argentine years |date=21 April 2025 |publisher=[[La Croix International]] |access-date=21 April 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421153934/https://international.la-croix.com/religion/death-of-the-pope-from-jorge-mario-bergoglio-to-francis-an-account-of-his-argentine-years |archive-date=21 April 2025}}</ref> Regina Sívori<ref name=Sivori /> was a housewife born in Buenos Aires to a family of [[northern Italian]] origin.<ref name="guardian" /><ref name=Donovan /> Mario Bergoglio's family left Italy in 1929 to escape the fascist rule of [[Benito Mussolini]].<ref name="Rosales-2013" />{{RP|page=5}} According to María Elena Bergoglio, the Pope's only living sibling, the family did not emigrate for economic reasons.<ref name=fascism /> His other siblings were Oscar Adrián, Marta Regina, and Alberto Horacio.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1563022-los-bergoglio-la-familia-mas-sorprendida |title=Los Bergoglio, la familia más sorprendida |trans-title=The Bergoglio, the most surprised family |language=es |date=14 March 2013 |newspaper=La Nación |access-date=22 April 2015 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110202837/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1563022-los-bergoglio-la-familia-mas-sorprendida}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uDekDwAAQBAJ&q=Oscar+Adrian+Bergoglio+1938&pg=PA12 |title=People's Pope |last=Holanda |first=Helládio |date=24 May 2019 |publisher=Clube de Autores (managed) |language=pt-PT |access-date=19 October 2020 |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114925/https://books.google.com/books?id=uDekDwAAQBAJ&q=Oscar+Adrian+Bergoglio+1938&pg=PA12#v=snippet&q=Oscar%20Adrian%20Bergoglio%201938&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref> His niece, [[Cristina Bergoglio]], is a painter based in [[Madrid]], Spain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elmundo.es/loc/2015/03/29/55159452e2704e25158b457b.html |title=La sobrina 'artista' del Papa presenta su obra en Madrid |work=El Mundo |date=3 March 2015 |access-date=20 March 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308040430/https://www.elmundo.es/loc/2015/03/29/55159452e2704e25158b457b.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.antena3.com/se-estrena/noticias/escribir-pincel-documental-obra-pictorica-cristina-bergoglio-sobrina-papa-francisco_201906245d14ce060cf2ee729a41cf22.html |title='Escribir con el pincel', el documental sobre la obra pictórica de Cristina Bergoglio, la sobrina del Papa Francisco |publisher=Se Estrena, [[Antena 3 (Spanish TV channel)|Antena 3]] |date=27 June 2019 |access-date=20 March 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308095718/https://www.antena3.com/se-estrena/noticias/escribir-pincel-documental-obra-pictorica-cristina-bergoglio-sobrina-papa-francisco_201906245d14ce060cf2ee729a41cf22.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the sixth grade, Bergoglio attended Wilfrid Barón de los Santos Ángeles, a school of the [[Salesians of Don Bosco]] in [[Ramos Mejía]], Buenos Aires Province. He then attended the technical secondary school Escuela Técnica Industrial Nº 27 Hipólito Yrigoyen<ref name="techniciandegree" /> and graduated with a chemical technician's diploma.<ref name="directory" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/does-pope-francis-have-masters-degree-chemistry |title=Does Pope Francis have a master's degree in chemistry? |date=3 June 2015 |newspaper=[[National Catholic Reporter]] |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320133457/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/does-pope-francis-have-masters-degree-chemistry |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-holy-ce/ |title=Fact Check: False: Pope Francis Has a Master's Degree in Chemistry |website=[[Snopes.com]] |date=4 June 2015 |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128020611/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-holy-ce/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In that capacity, he spent several years working in the food section of Hickethier-Bachmann Laboratory<ref name=Clarin /> where he worked under [[Esther Ballestrino]]. Earlier, he had been a bouncer and a janitor.<ref name=burke /><ref name=Chua />

When he was 21 years old, after life-threatening [[pneumonia]] and three [[cysts]], Bergoglio had part of a lung excised.<ref name=techniciandegree /><ref name="reuters" />

== Priesthood ==
=== Training and early priesthood (1958–1973) ===
[[File:Pope Francis at an Argentine seminary where he studied for the priesthood in the 1950s.webp|thumb|upright=0.7|Bergoglio at an Argentine seminary where he studied for the priesthood in the 1950s]]
While on his way to celebrate the [[Spring Day (Argentina)|Spring Day]], Bergoglio passed by a church to go to [[Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation (Catholic Church)|confession]] and was inspired by a priest.<ref>Sergio Rubin; Francesca Ambrogetti, Pope Francis – Conversations with Jorge Bergoglio. pp. 45–46</ref> He then studied at the archdiocesan [[seminary]], [[Inmaculada Concepción Seminary]], in [[Villa Devoto]], Buenos Aires, and, after three years, entered the [[Society of Jesus]] as a novice on 11 March 1958.<ref name=aicabio /> Bergoglio said that, as a young seminarian, he had a crush on a girl and briefly doubted his religious career.<ref name="celibacy">{{cite news |date=20 March 2013 |title=Pope Francis Spoke of Being 'Dazzled' by Girl, Possible Change of Celibacy Rule |work=Balitang America |publisher=[[NBC News]] |url=https://balitangamerica.tv/pope-francis-spoke-of-being-dazzled-by-girl-possible-change-of-celibacy-rule/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308004414/https://balitangamerica.tv/pope-francis-spoke-of-being-dazzled-by-girl-possible-change-of-celibacy-rule/ |archive-date=8 March 2019}}</ref> As a Jesuit novice, he studied the humanities in [[Santiago]], Chile.<ref>{{cite news |title=En 1958, Bergoglio hizo su noviciado en Chile |language=es |url=https://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Nacional/2013/03/829934/En-1958-Bergoglio-hizo-su-noviciado-en-Chile |access-date=19 March 2013 |newspaper=La Segunda |date=13 March 2013 |archive-date=18 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318032737/https://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Nacional/2013/03/829934/En-1958-Bergoglio-hizo-su-noviciado-en-Chile |url-status=live}}</ref>

After his novitiate, Bergoglio officially became a Jesuit on 12 March 1960 when he made the religious profession of the initial, perpetual vows of [[poverty, chastity and obedience]] of a member of the order.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lanser |first=Amanda |url=https://archive.org/details/popefrancisspiri0000lans?view=theater |title=Pope Francis: Spiritual Leader and Voice of the Poor |date=2014 |publisher=ABDO Publishing Company |isbn=978-1-62401-628-8 |page=96 |ol=OL32134361M |ol-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Rosales-2013">{{Cite web |last1=Rosales |first1=Luis |last2=Olivera |first2=Daniel |date=2013 |title=Francis: A Pope For Our Time |url=https://openlibrary.org/works/OL20022286W/Francis?edition=key:/books/OL27202343M |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=Open Library |page=42 |ol=OL27202343M}}</ref> In 1960, Bergoglio obtained a [[Licentiate (degree)|licentiate]] in philosophy from the [[Colegio Máximo de San José]]. He then taught literature and [[psychology]] at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, a high school in [[Santa Fe, Argentina|Santa Fe]], from 1964 to 1965. In 1966, he taught the same courses at the [[Colegio del Salvador (Argentina)|Colegio del Salvador]] in Buenos Aires.<ref name="directory" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio.html |title=Biography of the Holy Father Francis |publisher=The Holy See |access-date=15 May 2015 |archive-date=15 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315031550/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1967, Bergoglio began his theological studies at [[Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel]]. On 13 December 1969, he was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] as a priest by Archbishop [[Ramón José Castellano]]. He served as the [[master of novices]] for the province there and became a professor of theology.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biografía: ¿Quién es Jorge Bergoglio? |url=https://www.news.va/es/news/biografia-quien-es-jorge-mario-bergoglio |access-date=8 May 2015 |work=news.va |date=13 March 2013 |archive-date=14 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314204037/https://www.news.va/es/news/biografia-quien-es-jorge-mario-bergoglio}}</ref>

Bergoglio completed his final stage of spiritual training as a Jesuit, [[tertianship]], at [[Alcalá de Henares]], Spain, and took final vows as a Jesuit, including the [[fourth vow]] of obedience to missioning by the pope, on 22 April 1973.<ref name="Rosales-2013" />

=== Subsequent positions (1973–1986) ===
He was named [[provincial superior]] of the Society of Jesus in Argentina that July for a six-year term which ended in 1979.<ref name="directory" /><ref name="sjvows">{{cite web |url=https://cardinals.fiu.edu/bios2001.htm#Bergoglio |title=The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church – 31. Bergoglio, S.J., Jorge Mario |first=Salvador |last=Miranda |year=2023 |publisher=Florida International University |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref> In 1973, he made a [[Christian pilgrimage|pilgrimage]] to [[Jerusalem]], but his stay was shortened by the outbreak of the [[Yom Kippur War]].<ref name="travel">{{cite web |url=https://www.lastampa.it/2014/03/29/esteri/vatican-insider/en/why-bergoglio-travels-so-little-NbBzQ8c3DvALud1JCTH5HP/pagina.html |title=Why Bergoglio travels so little |date=29 March 2014 |work=[[La Stampa]] |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006082919/https://www.lastampa.it/2014/03/29/esteri/vatican-insider/en/why-bergoglio-travels-so-little-NbBzQ8c3DvALud1JCTH5HP/pagina.html}}</ref>

After the completion of his term of office, he was named, in 1980, the [[Rector (academic)|rector]] of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel where he had studied.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 March 2013 |url=https://www.news.va/en/news/biography-who-is-jorge-mario-bergoglio |title=Biography: who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018141414/https://www.news.va/en/news/biography-who-is-jorge-mario-bergoglio |archive-date=18 October 2017 |access-date=6 April 2013 |work=news.va}}</ref> Before taking up this new appointment, he spent the first three months of 1980 in Ireland to learn English and stayed at the Jesuit Centre at the [[Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy]], Dublin.<ref>{{cite web |title=The year Pope Francis came to live in Dublin |url=https://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-year-pope-francis-came-to-live-in-dublin-29163804.html |website=[[Irish Independent]] |access-date=10 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110130508/https://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-year-pope-francis-came-to-live-in-dublin-29163804.html |archive-date=10 November 2013 |date=30 March 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He then served at San Miguel for six years until 1986<ref name="directory" /> when, at the discretion of Jesuit superior-general [[Peter Hans Kolvenbach]], he was replaced by someone more in tune with the worldwide trend in the Society of Jesus toward emphasizing social justice rather than his emphasis on popular religiosity and direct pastoral work.<ref name="Ivereigh-2015">{{Cite book |last=Ivereigh |first=Austen |year=2014 |title=The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope |edition=First |location=New York |publisher=Henry Holt and Company |isbn=978-1-250-07499-7 |oclc=889324005}}</ref>

Bergoglio then spent several months at the [[Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology]] in [[Frankfurt]], Germany, and considered possible [[dissertation]] topics.<ref name="Hochschule">{{cite web |title=Neuigkeiten 14.03 |url=https://www.sankt-georgen.de/ |work=Hochschule |publisher=Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen |access-date=14 March 2013 |quote=...einige Monate in Sankt Georgen verbrachte, um sich mit einzelnen Professoren über ein Dissertationsprojekt zu beraten. Zu einem Abschluss in Sankt Georgen ist es nicht gekommen. |archive-date=12 April 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412091638/https://www.sankt-georgen.de/nachrichten/nachrichten.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He settled on exploring the work of the German-Italian theologian [[Romano Guardini]], particularly his study of "Contrast" published in his 1925 work ''{{lang|de|Der Gegensatz}}''.<ref name="Hochschule" /><ref name="litoral" />

=== Return to Argentina (1986–1998) ===
Ultimately, however, Bergoglio did not complete a degree there and he returned to Argentina earlier than expected to serve as a [[confessor]] and [[spiritual director]] to the Jesuit community in [[Córdoba, Argentina|Córdoba]].<ref name="Hochschule" /><ref name="litoral">{{cite news |title=Biografía de Jorge Bergoglio |language=es |url=https://www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/86958 |access-date=14 March 2013 |publisher=El Litoral |date=14 March 2013 |archive-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315233601/https://www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/86958}}</ref> As a student at the Salesian school, Bergoglio was mentored by [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic]] priest [[Stefan Czmil]]. Bergoglio often rose hours before his classmates to serve [[Divine Liturgy]] for Czmil.<ref name="Vallely-2013">{{cite book |last1=Vallely |first1=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQQoAAAAQBAJ&q=pope+francis+hans+kolvenbach&pg=PA60 |title=Pope Francis: Untying the knots |publisher=C Black |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-4729-0372-3 |access-date=19 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114849/https://books.google.com/books?id=JQQoAAAAQBAJ&q=pope+francis+hans+kolvenbach&pg=PA60#v=snippet&q=pope%20francis%20hans%20kolvenbach&f=false |archive-date=10 March 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="greek">{{cite news |last=Shkodziska |first=Oksana |title=Patriarch Sviatoslav: Newly Elected Pope Knows Ukrainian Catholic Church, its Liturgy and Spirituality |url=https://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/catholics/ugcc/51592 |publisher=Religious Information Service of Ukraine |date=13 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317063725/https://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/catholics/ugcc/51592 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Bergoglio was named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and was [[Episcopal ordination|consecrated]] on 27 June 1992 as [[Auca (titular diocese)|titular bishop of Auca]],<ref name="directory" /><ref>The [[titular see]] of Auca, established in 1969, is seated at [[Villafranca Montes de Oca]], Spain: [https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t0229.htm Titular See of Auca, Spain] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222184219/https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t0229.htm |date=22 December 2017}}.</ref> with Cardinal [[Antonio Quarracino]], archbishop of Buenos Aires, serving as principal consecrator.<ref name="aica">{{cite web |title=Bergoglio, Jorge Mario |url=https://www.aica.org/guia-s-T2Jpc3Bvcw==-91 |language=es |work=Breve biografía de obispos |publisher=La Agencia Informativa Católica Argentina |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312140844/https://aica.org/guia-s-t2jpc3bvcw==-91}}</ref> He chose his episcopal motto to be {{lang|la|Miserando atque eligendo}},<ref>{{cite news |title=Francis Toughened by Argentine Politics Ready for Papal Test |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-14/francis-toughened-by-argentine-politics-ready-for-papal-test.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316192345/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-14/francis-toughened-by-argentine-politics-ready-for-papal-test.html |archive-date=16 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013 |publisher=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]}}</ref> drawn from [[Saint Bede]]'s homily on Matthew 9:9–13: "because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him".<ref name="Catholic News Service">{{cite web |url=https://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301207.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317181215/https://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301207.htm |archive-date=17 March 2013 |title=Pope's episcopal motto comes from homily by English doctor of church |last1=Glatz |first1=Carol |date=15 March 2013 |publisher=Catholic News Service |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> In 1992, Jesuit authorities asked Bergoglio not to live in Jesuit residences due to ongoing tensions with leaders and scholars; concerns about his "dissent", views on Catholic orthodoxy, and opposition to [[liberation theology]]; and his role as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires.<ref name="ncronline.org">{{cite web |date=12 March 2014 |title=To understand Pope Francis, look to the Jesuits |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/understand-pope-francis-look-jesuits |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828172510/https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/understand-pope-francis-look-jesuits |archive-date=28 August 2016 |access-date=29 October 2016 |work=ncronline.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=7 January 2015 |title=Setting the Record Straight on Pope Francis: A Reply to Frank Brennan |url=https://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2015/01/07/4158763.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524004542/https://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2015/01/07/4158763.htm |archive-date=24 May 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref><ref name="Vallely-2013" />

On 3 June 1997, Bergoglio was appointed [[coadjutor archbishop]] of Buenos Aires.<ref name="directory" /><ref name="jesuit.org" />

== Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1998–2013) ==
He became metropolitan archbishop after Quarracino's death on 28 February 1998. As archbishop, he established new parishes, restructured the archdiocese, led pro-life efforts, and formed a commission on divorces.<ref name="directory" /><ref name="jesuit.org">{{cite web |title=Jesuit Argentine Cardinal Bergoglio elected pope, takes name Francis |url=https://www.jesuit.org/2013/03/13/jesuit-argentine-cardinal-jesuit-bergoglio-elected-pope-takes-name-francis-i |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316025854/https://www.jesuit.org/2013/03/13/jesuit-argentine-cardinal-jesuit-bergoglio-elected-pope-takes-name-francis-i |archive-date=16 March 2013 |publisher=jesuit.org |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> One of Bergoglio's major initiatives as archbishop was to increase the church's presence in the [[shantytown]] ({{lang|es|[[villa miseria]]}}, or just {{lang|es|villa}}) slums of Buenos Aires. Under his leadership, the number of priests assigned to work in the shantytowns doubled, and he visited them himself.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/slum-priests-pope-franciss-early-years/274201/ |first=Haley |last=Cohen |title=Slum Priests: Pope Francis's Early Years |magazine=[[The Atlantic]] |date=20 March 2013 |archive-date=1 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701142605/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/slum-priests-pope-franciss-early-years/274201/ |url-status=live}}</ref> This work led to him being referred to as the "{{lang|es|villero}} bishop", sometimes translated as the "slum bishop".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/05/09/un-should-encourage-redistribution-of-wealth-pope-says/ |title=U.N. should encourage redistribution of wealth, pope says |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=9 May 2014 |author=Puella, Phillip |archive-date=9 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109031856/https://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-09/features/sns-rt-us-pope-un-20140509_1_pope-francis-first-non-european-pope-united-nations |url-status=live}}</ref>

Early in his tenure as archbishop, Bergoglio sold the archdiocese's bank shares and moved its accounts to regular international banks. This ended the church's high spending habits, which had nearly led to its bankruptcy, and enforced stricter fiscal discipline.<ref>{{cite news |last=Coday |first=Dennis |url=https://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/former-aide-says-francis-may-close-vatican-bank |title=John Allen, 'Former aide says Francis may close Vatican Bank' |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |date=4 April 2013 |access-date=23 June 2013 |archive-date=10 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710015333/https://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/former-aide-says-francis-may-close-vatican-bank |url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 November 1998, while remaining archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio was named [[Ordinary (church officer)#Catholic usage|Ordinary]] for [[Eastern Rite Catholic Churches|Eastern Catholics]] in Argentina, who lacked a [[prelate]] of their own church.<ref name=aica /> On Bergoglio's election to the papacy, Major Archbishop [[Sviatoslav Shevchuk]] said that Bergoglio understood the liturgy, rites, and spirituality of Shevchuk's [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]] and always "took care of our Church in Argentina" as Ordinary.<ref name="greek" />

In 2000, Bergoglio was the only church official to reconcile with [[Jerónimo Podestá]], a former bishop who had been suspended as a priest after opposing the [[Argentine Revolution]] military dictatorship in 1972. He also defended Podestá's wife from Vatican attacks on their marriage.<ref name="Magister-2002">{{cite news |last=Magister |first=Sandro |title=Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Profession: Servant of the Servants of God |url=https://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y |access-date=16 March 2013 |magazine=[[L'espresso]] |publisher=Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso |location=Rome, Italy |date=2 December 2002 |archive-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316052340/https://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1335696?eng=y |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Margaret |last=Hebblethwaite |title=The Pope Francis I know |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/the-pope-francis-i-know |access-date=16 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=14 March 2013 |location=London, England |quote=Luro talked to me at length about her friend, of whom she has the highest opinion, and told me how she would write to him almost weekly, and he would always reply by ringing her up and having a short chat. When Podesta was dying, Bergoglio was the only Catholic cleric who went to visit him in hospital, and, when he died, the only one who showed public recognition of his great contribution to the Argentinian church. |archive-date=26 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926235557/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/the-pope-francis-i-know |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Stella |last=Calloni |title=Acusado de tener vínculos con la dictadura; la derecha lo defiende |language=es |url=https://www.jornada.unam.mx/2013/03/14/politica/004n1pol |newspaper=[[La Jornada]] |publisher=Desarrollo de Medios S.A. de C.V |location=Mexico City, Mexico |date=13 March 2013 |access-date=27 October 2018 |archive-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316234306/https://www.jornada.unam.mx/2013/03/14/politica/004n1pol |url-status=live}}</ref> That same year, Bergoglio said the Argentine Catholic Church needed "to put on garments of public penance for the sins committed during the years of the dictatorship" in the 1970s, during the [[Dirty War]].<ref name="Magister-2002" />

[[File:Card. Jorge Bergoglio SJ, 2008.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Bergoglio in 2008]]
Bergoglio regularly celebrated the [[Holy Thursday]] [[Maundy (foot washing)#Catholic practice|foot-washing]] ritual in jails, hospitals, retirement homes, and slums.<ref>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Pullella |title=Pope to hold major Holy Week service in youth jail |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-jail-idUSBRE92K0CF20130321 |work=[[Reuters]] |location=London |date=21 March 2013 |access-date=22 March 2013 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110202839/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-jail-idUSBRE92K0CF20130321 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bergoglio continued to be the archbishop of Buenos Aires after his elevation to the cardinalate in 2001. In 2007, shortly after Benedict&nbsp;XVI introduced new rules for pre&ndash;Vatican&nbsp;II liturgical forms, Bergoglio established a weekly Mass in this [[Tridentine Mass|extraordinary form]] of the [[Roman Rite]].<ref>Sergio Rubin, "Regresó la misa en latín, con mujeres cubiertas por mantillas". ''Clarin''. (17 September 2007). [https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/regreso-misa-latin-mujeres-cubiertas-mantillas_0_rJHgqqkkAFg.html Archived.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925115753/https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/regreso-misa-latin-mujeres-cubiertas-mantillas_0_rJHgqqkkAFg.html |date=25 September 2019}}.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=El latín volvió a las misas |url=https://www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=31360 |publisher=Línea Capital |access-date=14 March 2013 |date=17 September 2007 |language=es |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190531/https://www.lineacapital.com.ar/?noticia=31360}}</ref>

On 8 November 2005, Bergoglio was elected president of the [[Argentine Episcopal Conference]] for a three-year term (2005–2008),<ref>{{cite news |title=Elige Sus Nuevas Autoridades La Conferencia Episcopal |url=https://www.mercedesya.com.ar/noticias/30008397-elige-sus-nuevas-autoridades-la-conferencia-episcopal.htm |access-date=21 March 2013 |publisher=Mercedes Ya |date=7 November 2005 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193258/https://www.mercedesya.com.ar/noticias/30008397-elige-sus-nuevas-autoridades-la-conferencia-episcopal.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> and re-elected on 11 November 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=El cardenal Bergoglio fue reelegido frente a la Conferencia Episcopal |url=https://www.derf.com.ar/noticias.asp?cod_des=232534&ID_Seccion=33&fecemi=11/11/2008& |access-date=21 March 2013 |publisher=DERF |date=11 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522051308/https://www.derf.com.ar/noticias.asp?cod_des=232534&ID_Seccion=33&fecemi=11%2F11%2F2008& |archive-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> He remained a member of that commission's permanent governing body, the president of its committee for the [[Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina]], and a member of its liturgy committee for the care of shrines.<ref name=aica /> While head of the Argentine Catholic bishops' conference, Bergoglio issued a collective apology for his church's failure to protect people from the junta during the Dirty War.<ref>{{cite news |last=Speciale |first=Alessandro |title=Vatican defends Pope Francis' actions during Argentina's 'Dirty War' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/vatican-defends-pope-francis-actions-during-argentinasdirty-war/2013/03/15/070f5324-8db5-11e2-adca-74ab31da3399_story.html |access-date=16 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=17 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317070611/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/vatican-defends-pope-francis-actions-during-argentinasdirty-war/2013/03/15/070f5324-8db5-11e2-adca-74ab31da3399_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> When he turned 75 in December 2011, Bergoglio submitted his resignation as archbishop of Buenos Aires to Pope Benedict&nbsp;XVI as required by [[Canon law (Catholic Church)|canon law]].<ref name="travel" /> As he had no coadjutor archbishop, he stayed in office, waiting for the Vatican to appoint a replacement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bergoglio presenta su renuncia como arzobispo de Buenos Aires, aunque seguirá en el cargo |url=https://noticias.terra.com.ar/politica/bergoglio-presenta-su-renuncia-como-arzobispo-de-buenos-aires-aunque-seguira-en-el-cargo,148ef548c2444310VgnVCM20000099f154d0RCRD.html |access-date=22 March 2013 |publisher=Terra Noticias |date=15 December 2011 |archive-date=1 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701073209/https://noticias.terra.com.ar/politica/bergoglio-presenta-su-renuncia-como-arzobispo-de-buenos-aires-aunque-seguira-en-el-cargo,148ef548c2444310VgnVCM20000099f154d0RCRD.html}}</ref>

As a bishop, he was no longer subject to his Jesuit superior.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 March 2013 |title=Is Pope Francis still a Jesuit? |url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-francis-still-jesuit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000851/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-francis-still-jesuit |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=6 September 2020 |website=National Catholic Reporter}}</ref> From then on, he no longer visited Jesuit houses and was in "virtual estrangement from the Jesuits" until after his election as pope.<ref name="Ivereigh-2015" /><ref name="ncronline.org" />

===Appointment as cardinal===
[[File:Catéchèse 18 juin 2008 par le cardinal Bergoglio -2.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|left|Bergoglio on 18 June 2008 giving a [[catechesis]]]]

On 21 February 2001, [[Pope John Paul&nbsp;II]] made Archbishop Bergoglio a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]], assigning him the [[titular church|title]] of [[cardinal priest]] of [[San Roberto Bellarmino]]. Bergoglio was installed there on 14 October. During his trip to Rome for the ceremony, he and his sister María Elena visited their father's hometown in northern Italy.<ref name="fascism">{{cite news |title=Jorge is against regimes. It is because of fascism that our father emigrated |url=https://www.lastampa.it/2013/03/17/esteri/vatican-insider/en/translate-to-english-jorge-e-contro-i-regimi-colpa-del-fascismo-se-nostro-padre-emigro-dsLa2d3qBmg6w2j0djj5qK/pagina.html |access-date=18 March 2013 |newspaper=La Stampa |date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110202838/https://www.lastampa.it/2013/03/17/esteri/vatican-insider/en/translate-to-english-jorge-e-contro-i-regimi-colpa-del-fascismo-se-nostro-padre-emigro-dsLa2d3qBmg6w2j0djj5qK/pagina.html}}</ref> As cardinal, Bergoglio was appointed to five administrative positions in the [[Roman Curia]]. He was a member of the [[Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]]; the [[Congregation for the Clergy]]; the [[Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life]]; the [[Pontifical Council for the Family]]; and the [[Pontifical Commission for Latin America|Commission for Latin America]]. Later that year, when Cardinal [[Edward Egan]] returned to New York following the [[September 11 attacks]], Bergoglio replaced him as relator (recording secretary) in the [[Synod of Bishops (Catholic)|Synod of Bishops]],<ref>{{cite web |title=X Ordinary General Assembly (30 September&nbsp;– 27 October 2001) |url=https://press.catholica.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sinodo_indice_en.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219231945/https://press.catholica.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sinodo_indice_en.html |archive-date=19 February 2011 |work=Synod of Bishops |publisher=Holy See |access-date=14 April 2013}}</ref> and, according to the ''[[Catholic Herald]]'', created "a favourable impression as a man open to communion and dialogue".<ref name="thunder">{{cite news |last=Poirier |first=José Maria |title=Quiet thunder in Argentina |url=https://thecatholicherald.com/quiet-thunder-in-argentina/ |newspaper=Catholic Herald |date=13 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319001817/https://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2013/03/13/quiet-thunder-in-argentina/ |archive-date=19 March 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Synodus Episcoporum Bulletin |date=30 September – 27 October 2001 |url=https://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b33_02.html |access-date=14 March 2013 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |archive-date=5 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105215701/https://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b33_02.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Cardinal Bergoglio was known for his personal humility, doctrinal conservatism, and commitment to [[social justice]].<ref name="Allen" /> His [[Simple living|simple lifestyle]]—which included living in a small apartment rather than the elegant bishop's residence, using public transportation, and cooking his own meals—enhanced his reputation for humility.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rubin |first=Sergio |title='El Jesuita,' biography of Jorge Bergoglio, tells of Pope Francis' humble beginnings in the church that he maintained throughout his cardinalship |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-francis-humble-affable-servant-article-1.1288163 |access-date=18 March 2013 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York |date=14 March 2013 |archive-date=18 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318050915/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-francis-humble-affable-servant-article-1.1288163 |url-status=live}}</ref> He limited his time in Rome to "lightning visits".<ref name="falasca">{{cite news |url=https://www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_16457_l3.htm |title=What I would have said at the Consistory |last=Falasca |first=Sefania |date=November 2007 |publisher=30 Giorni |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=12 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712154526/https://www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_16457_l3.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

After Pope John Paul&nbsp;II died on 2 April 2005, Bergoglio attended [[funeral of Pope John Paul II|his funeral]] and was considered one of the {{lang|la|[[papabile]]}} for succession to the papacy.<ref name="Los Angeles Times-2005">{{cite journal |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-17-fg-cardinal17-story.html |date=17 April 2005 |access-date=14 March 2013 |title=Argentine Cardinal Named in Kidnap Lawsuit |journal=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316043207/https://articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/17/world/fg-cardinal17 |url-status=live}}</ref> He participated as a [[Cardinal electors for the 2005 papal conclave|cardinal elector]] in the [[2005 papal conclave]] that elected Pope Benedict&nbsp;XVI. In the ''[[National Catholic Reporter]]'', [[John L. Allen Jr.]] reported that Bergoglio was a frontrunner in the 2005 conclave.<ref name="Allen">{{cite news |last=Allen |first=John L. Jr. |title=Profile: New pope, Jesuit Bergoglio, was runner-up in 2005 conclave |url=https://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/papabile-day-men-who-could-be-pope-13 |access-date=15 March 2013 |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |date=3 March 2013 |archive-date=3 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603205738/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/papabile-day-men-who-could-be-pope-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=John L. Jr. |title=Handicapping the conclave |url=https://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/update/conclave/pt041405a.htm |access-date=15 March 2013 |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |date=14 April 2005 |archive-date=6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806032925/https://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/update/conclave/pt041405a.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2005, the Italian magazine ''[[Limes (Italian magazine)|Limes]]'' published claims that Bergoglio had been the runner-up and main challenger to Cardinal Ratzinger at that conclave and that he had received 40 votes in the third ballot but fell back to 26 at the fourth and decisive ballot.<ref name="CNN05">{{cite news |title=Cardinal breaks conclave vow of secrecy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/23/conclave.diary.ap/index.html |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=[[CNN]] |access-date=13 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001062114/https://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/23/conclave.diary.ap/index.html |archive-date=1 October 2005 |date=23 September 2005}}</ref><ref name="votes2005">{{cite journal |url=https://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0505401.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20050928201437/https://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0505401.htm |archive-date=28 September 2005 |journal=Catholic News |date=23 September 2005 |title=Article based on diary says German cardinal became pope with 84 votes |first=Cindy |last=Wooden |access-date=21 April 2025 |url-status=live}} Article gives numbers for the four votes; Ratzinger had most votes, followed by Bergoglio.</ref> The claims were based on a diary purportedly belonging to an anonymous cardinal who had been present at the conclave.<ref name= CNN05 /><ref name="Rubin13">Rubin, p. 13</ref> According to the Italian journalist [[Andrea Tornielli]], this number of votes had no precedent for a Latin American {{lang|la|papabile}}.<ref name="Rubin13" /> ''[[La Stampa]]'' reported that Bergoglio was in close contention with Ratzinger during the election until he made an emotional plea that the cardinals should not vote for him.<ref name="tears">{{cite news |url=https://www.lastampa.it/2013/03/10/vaticaninsider/ita/inchieste-e-interviste/ecco-come-and-davvero-il-conclave-del-PpFofMHBKez0AvYBLzCgBN/pagina.html |title=Ecco come andò davvero il Conclave del 2005 |language=it |work=[[La Stampa]] |first=Marco |last=Tosatti |access-date=30 January 2017 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802133514/https://www.lastampa.it/2013/03/10/vaticaninsider/ita/inchieste-e-interviste/ecco-come-and-davvero-il-conclave-del-PpFofMHBKez0AvYBLzCgBN/pagina.html |url-status=live}} According to the source, Cardinal Bergoglio begged "almost in tears" ("quasi in lacrime" in Italian)</ref> According to Tornielli, Bergoglio made this request to prevent the conclave from delaying too much in the election of a pope.<ref>Rubin, p. 15</ref>

As a cardinal, Bergoglio was associated with [[Communion and Liberation]], a Catholic evangelical lay movement of the type known as [[associations of the faithful]].<ref name="Allen" /> He sometimes made appearances at the annual gathering known as the [[Meeting for friendship among peoples|Rimini Meeting]] held during the late summer months in Italy.<ref name=Allen /> In 2005, Cardinal Bergoglio authorized the request for [[beatification]]—the third of four steps toward [[saint]]hood—for six members of the [[Pallottine]] community murdered in the [[San Patricio Church massacre]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sánchez Alvarado |first=Gretta |title=Francisco: 'El verdadero poder es el servicio' |url=https://www.el-nacional.com/mundo/Francisco-verdadero-poder-servicio_0_156584605.html |access-date=22 March 2013 |publisher=El Nacional |date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321065400/https://el-nacional.com/mundo/Francisco-verdadero-poder-servicio_0_156584605.html |archive-date=21 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="CT2005">{{cite news |title=Sainthood effort for 5 slain recalls Argentine 'dirty war' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/08/12/sainthood-effort-for-5-slain-recalls-argentine-dirty-war/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=12 August 2005 |access-date=23 March 2013 |first=Colin |last=McMahon |archive-date=16 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516123540/https://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-08-12/news/0508120166_1_beatification-buenos-aires-argentine-dirty |url-status=live}}</ref> Bergoglio also ordered an investigation into the murders;<ref name= CT2005 /> 1984 testimony indicated that they were perpetrated by members of the [[Argentine Navy]] on the orders of Rear Admiral Rubén Chamorro.<ref>Patricia Marchak, [https://books.google.com/books?id=gQeLzE60jDgC&dq=San+Patricio+Church+massacre&pg=PA160 ''God's Assassins: State Terrorism in Argentina in the 1970s''], McGill-Queen's University Press, 1999, {{ISBN|0-7735-2013-9}}; p. 160</ref><ref name="Andersen">Martin Edwin Andersen, ''Dossier Secreto: Argentina's Desaparecidos and the Myth of the "Dirty War"'', Westview Press, 1993, {{ISBN|0-8133-8212-2}}; pp. 187–188</ref>

==Argentine government relations==
===Dirty War===
{{See also|Dirty War}}
Bergoglio was the subject of allegations regarding the [[Argentine Navy]]'s kidnapping of two [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] priests, Orlando Yorio and [[Franz Jalics]], in 1976, during Argentina's [[Dirty War]]. After being tortured in captivity, the priests were found alive months later outside Buenos Aires, drugged and partially unclothed.<ref name="Murphy-2013">{{Cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Brian |last2=Warren |first2=Michael |date=14 March 2013 |title=Pope Francis: Simple image, complex past |url=https://apnews.com/6dee729dae854ceda7b22397f094b19d |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref><ref name="Los Angeles Times-2005" /> Bergoglio is widely reported to have failed to protect the priests, and to have dismissed them from the Society of Jesus days prior to their arrest.<ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/new-pope-theologically-conservative-but-with-a-common-touch.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314170716/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/world/europe/new-pope-theologically-conservative-but-with-a-common-touch.html |archive-date=14 March 2013 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=A Conservative With a Common Touch |date=13 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |last2=Rother |first2=Larry |last1=Schmall |first1=Emily |access-date=14 March 2013}}</ref> In 2005, [[Myriam Bregman]], a human rights lawyer, filed a criminal complaint against Bergoglio, as superior in the Society of Jesus of Argentina, accusing him of actual involvement in the kidnapping.<ref name="Los Angeles Times-2005" /> While the complaint was eventually dismissed, the debate over Bergoglio's actions during the period has continued, with Argentine journalists relying on documents and statements from both priests and laypeople in reporting that contradict Cardinal Bergoglio's account.<ref name="nytimes1" />

Yorio accused Bergoglio of effectively handing them over to the death squads by declining to tell the authorities that he endorsed their work. Yorio said in a 1999 interview that he believed that Bergoglio did nothing "to free us, in fact just the opposite".<ref name="WAPO">{{cite news |title=Pope's activity in Dirty War Draws Scrutiny |date=17 March 2013 |work=Chicago Tribune |page=27 |author=Miroff, Nick}}</ref> Two days after the election of Francis, Jalics issued a statement confirming the kidnapping and attributing the cause to a former lay colleague who became a guerrilla, was captured, then named Yorio and Jalics when interrogated.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html |title=Declaration of Father Franz Jalics SJ |date=15 March 2013 |publisher=German Jesuit Web site |language=de |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316013724/https://www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html |archive-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> The following week, Jalics issued a second, clarifying statement: "It is wrong to assert that our capture took place at the initiative of Father Bergoglio ... Orlando Yorio and I were not denounced by Father Bergoglio."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/21/pope-francis-argentinian-junta-priest |title=Pope Francis did not denounce me to Argentinian junta, says priest |last=Watts |first=Jonathan |date=21 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |access-date=21 March 2013 |archive-date=5 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905003957/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/21/pope-francis-argentinian-junta-priest |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erganzende-erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html |title=Second Declaration of Father Franz Jalics SJ |date=20 March 2013 |publisher=German Jesuit Web site |language=de |access-date=21 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328015725/https://www.jesuiten.org/aktuelles/details/article/erganzende-erklarung-von-pater-franz-jalics-sj.html |archive-date=28 March 2016}}</ref>

Bergoglio told his authorized biographer, [[Sergio Rubin]], that he worked behind the scenes for the priests' release; Bergoglio's intercession with dictator [[Jorge Rafael Videla]] on their behalf may have saved their lives.<ref name="Murphy-2013" /> Bergoglio also told Rubin that he had often sheltered people from the dictatorship on church property, and once gave his own identity papers to a man who looked like him so that he could flee Argentina.<ref name="Murphy-2013" /> The interview with Rubin, reflected in the biography {{lang|es|[[El jesuita]]}}, was the only time Bergoglio had spoken to the press about those events.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html |title=Dias inolvidables para su biógrafo |date=17 March 2013 |work=El Papa del fin del mundo |publisher=Clarín |language=es |trans-title=Unforgettable days for his biographer |author=Pablo Javier Blanco |access-date=13 March 2013 |archive-date=19 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319210706/https://contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Alicia Oliveira]], a former Argentine judge, also reported that Bergoglio helped people flee Argentina during the rule of the junta.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Oliveira-Garre-sabe-todo-lo-que-hizo-Bergoglio-20130315-0019.html |title=Alicia Oliveira: 'Garré sabe todo lo que hizo Bergoglio' |last=Indart |first=Ramón |date=15 March 2013 |language=es |work=Perfil |access-date=22 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518130955/https://www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Oliveira-Garre-sabe-todo-lo-que-hizo-Bergoglio-20130315-0019.html |archive-date=18 May 2013}}</ref> Since Francis became pope, Gonzalo Mosca<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1566175-yo-pensaba-si-el-padre-este-era-consciente-de-lo-que-se-estaba-jugando |title=Yo pensaba si el padre éste era consciente de lo que se estaba jugando |date=23 March 2013 |newspaper=La Nacion |access-date=23 June 2013 |archive-date=27 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327104407/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1566175-yo-pensaba-si-el-padre-este-era-consciente-de-lo-que-se-estaba-jugando |url-status=live}}</ref> and José Caravias<ref>{{cite news |url=https://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/03/24/actualidad/1364087082_791943.html |title=Un cura español dice que el Papa evitó que lo mataran durante la dictadura argentina |date=24 March 2013 |newspaper=El País |access-date=23 June 2013 |archive-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528190823/https://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/03/24/actualidad/1364087082_791943.html |url-status=live}}</ref> have related accounts to journalists of how Bergoglio helped them flee the dictatorship.

Oliveira described Bergoglio as "anguished" and "very critical of the dictatorship" during the Dirty War.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21794798 |title=Argentina 'Dirty War' accusations haunt Pope Francis |date=15 March 2013 |work=[[BBC News]] |last1=Hernandez |first1=Vladimir |access-date=18 March 2013 |archive-date=18 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318023019/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21794798 |url-status=live}}</ref> Oliveira met with him at the time and urged Bergoglio to speak out—he told her that "he couldn't. That it wasn't an easy thing to do."<ref name="WAPO" /> Artist and human rights activist [[Adolfo Pérez Esquivel]], the 1980 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] laureate, said: "Perhaps he didn't have the courage of other priests, but he never collaborated with the dictatorship... Bergoglio was no accomplice of the dictatorship."<ref>{{cite journal |last2=Goni |first2=Uki |date=15 March 2013 |title=Pope Francis: role during Argentina's military era disputed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/15/pope-francis-argentina-military-era |journal=The Guardian |first1=Jonathan |last1=Watts |access-date=12 December 2016 |archive-date=1 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201205222/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/15/pope-francis-argentina-military-era |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |date=14 March 2013 |title='Bergoglio had no links with the dictatorship,' Peace Nobel Prize winner |url=https://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126367/%E2%80%98bergoglio-had-no-links-with-the-dictatorship%E2%80%99-peace-nobel-prize-winner |journal=Buenos Aires Herald |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724233031/https://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/126367/%E2%80%98bergoglio-had-no-links-with-the-dictatorship%E2%80%99-peace-nobel-prize-winner}}</ref> [[Graciela Fernández Meijide]], a member of the [[Permanent Assembly for Human Rights]], also said that there was no proof linking Bergoglio with the dictatorship. She told the ''[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|Clarín]]'' newspaper:

<blockquote>There is no information and Justice couldn't prove it. I was in the [[Permanent Assembly for Human Rights|APDH]] during all the dictatorship years and I received hundreds of testimonies. Bergoglio was never mentioned. It was the same in the [[National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons|CONADEP]]. Nobody mentioned him as instigator or as anything.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Fioriti |first=Santiago |title=Atacan a Bergoglio porque Cristina no quería que fuera Papa |url=https://www.clarin.com/mundo/Atacan-Bergoglio-Cristina-queria-Papa_CLAFIL20130315_0002.pdf |journal=[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|Clarín]] |language=es |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=19 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319054439/https://www.clarin.com/mundo/Atacan-Bergoglio-Cristina-queria-Papa_CLAFIL20130315_0002.pdf}}</ref></blockquote>

[[Ricardo Lorenzetti]], the president of the Argentine Supreme Court, said that Bergoglio was "completely innocent" of the accusations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francedco-francis-francisco-23329/ |title='Bergoglio is completely innocent,' says Argentina's Supreme Court |date=18 March 2013 |publisher=Vatican Insider |access-date=23 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526015515/https://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francedco-francis-francisco-23329/ |archive-date=26 May 2013}}</ref> Historian [[Uki Goñi]] pointed that, during early 1976, the military junta still had a good image among society, and that the [[Detention Centers in the Dirty War|scale of the political repression]] was not known until much later; Bergoglio would have had little reason to suspect that the detention of Yorio and Jalics could end in their deaths.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/19/pope-francis-argentina-1970s |title=Pope Francis: what did he really do in Argentina in the 1970s? |last=Goñi |first=Uki |date=19 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=11 February 2015 |archive-date=12 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212201312/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/19/pope-francis-argentina-1970s |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Fernando de la Rúa===
[[Fernando de la Rúa]] replaced [[Carlos Menem]] as president of Argentina in 1999. As an archbishop, Bergoglio celebrated the annual Mass at the [[Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral]] on the ''[[First National Government]]'' holiday, 25 May.<ref>Rubin, p. 19</ref> During Argentina's [[1998–2002 Argentine great depression|economic depression]], the Catholic Church criticized the government's austerity measures, which worsened poverty. De la Rúa asked the church to facilitate dialogue between economic and political leaders to address the crisis. Although he claimed to have spoken with Bergoglio, Bergoglio reportedly said the meeting was canceled due to a misunderstanding. Bishop Jorge Casaretto had doubted this, noting that De la Rúa made the request only in newspaper interviews, not formally to the church.<ref>Reato, p. 160</ref>

In the [[Argentine legislative election, 2001|2001 elections]], the [[Justicialist Party]] won a majority in Congress and appointed [[Ramón Puerta]] as Senate president. Bergoglio met with Puerta and was positively impressed. Puerta assured him that the Justicialist Party was not planning to oust De la Rúa and promised to support the president in advancing necessary legislation.<ref>Reato, pp. 222–223</ref>

During police repression of the [[December 2001 riots in Argentina|riots of December 2001]], Bergoglio contacted the Ministry of the Interior and asked that the police distinguish rioters and vandals from peaceful protesters.<ref>Rubin, pp. 18–19</ref>

===Néstor and Cristina Kirchner===
[[File:Pope Francis with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner 4.jpg|thumb|Francis with Argentine president [[Cristina Fernández de Kirchner]], holding traditional Argentine [[mate (beverage)|mate]] drinkware]]

When Bergoglio celebrated Mass at the cathedral for the 2004 First National Government holiday, President [[Néstor Kirchner]] attended and heard Bergoglio request more political dialogue, the rejection of intolerance, and the criticism of exhibitionism and strident announcements.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/604859-el-mensaje-de-la-iglesia-era-para-kirchner |title=El mensaje de la Iglesia era para Kirchner |last=Obarrio |first=Mariano |date=27 May 2004 |newspaper=La Nación |language=es |trans-title=The message of the church was for Kirchner |access-date=13 March 2013 |archive-date=29 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329094231/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/604859-el-mensaje-de-la-iglesia-era-para-kirchner}}</ref> Kirchner celebrated the national day elsewhere the following year and the Mass in the cathedral was suspended.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/706830-suspendio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190651/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/706830-suspendio |archive-date=29 October 2013 |title=Suspendió la Iglesia el tedeum en la Capital |last=Colonna |first=Lucas |date=24 May 2005 |newspaper=La Nación |language=es |trans-title=The church suspended the tedeum in the capital |access-date=13 March 2013}}</ref> In 2006, Bergoglio helped fellow Jesuit [[Joaquín Piña]] win the elections in the [[Misiones Province]] and prevent an amendment to the local constitution that would allow indefinite re-elections. Kirchner intended to use that project to start similar amendments at other provinces and eventually implement it in the national constitution.<ref>Reato, pp. 224–225</ref> Kirchner considered Bergoglio as a political rival until he died in 2010.<ref name="anios">{{cite news |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1562777-jorge-bergoglio-y-los-kirchner-anos-de-una-relacion-tensa |title=Jorge Bergoglio y los Kirchner: años de una relación tensa |date=14 March 2013 |newspaper=La Nación |language=es |trans-title=Jorge Bergoglio and the Kirchners: years of a tense relation |access-date=13 March 2013 |archive-date=19 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319041650/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1562777-jorge-bergoglio-y-los-kirchner-anos-de-una-relacion-tensa}}</ref> Bergoglio's relations with Kirchner's widow and successor, [[Cristina Fernández de Kirchner]], have been similarly tense. In 2008, Bergoglio called for national reconciliation during [[2008 Argentine government conflict with the agricultural sector|disturbances]] in the country's agricultural regions, which the government interpreted as a support for anti-government demonstrators.<ref name="anios" /> The campaign to enact [[Same-sex marriage in Argentina|same-sex marriage legislation]] was a particularly tense period in their relations.<ref name="anios" />

When Bergoglio was elected pope, initial reactions were mixed. Most of the Argentine society cheered it, but the pro-government newspaper {{lang|es|[[Página 12]]}} published renewed allegations about the Dirty War, and the president of the [[National Library of the Argentine Republic|National Library]] described a global conspiracy theory. The president took more than an hour before congratulating the new pope and did so only in a passing reference within a routine speech. Due to the Pope's popularity in Argentina, Cristina Kirchner made what the political analyst Claudio Fantini called a "[[Copernican Revolution (metaphor)|Copernican shift]]" in her relations with him and fully embraced the Francis phenomenon.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/christina-fernandez-de-kirchner-pope-francis |title=Cristina Fernández de Kirchner turns Pope Francis from foe to friend |date=27 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-date=17 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317010556/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/christina-fernandez-de-kirchner-pope-francis |url-status=live}}</ref> On the day before his inauguration as pope, Bergoglio, now Francis, had a private meeting with Kirchner where they exchanged gifts and lunched together. This was the new pope's first meeting with a head of state, and there was speculation that the two were mending their relations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cp24.com/world/pope-s-diplomacy-put-to-test-as-leaders-flock-to-rome-1.1200040 |title=Pope's diplomacy put to test as leaders flock to Rome |date=18 March 2013 |publisher=CP24 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=15 May 2015 |archive-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620125831/https://www.cp24.com/world/pope-s-diplomacy-put-to-test-as-leaders-flock-to-rome-1.1200040 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2013/0318/Making-nice-Argentina-s-Kirchner-and-Pope-Francis-meet-in-Rome-video |title=Making nice? Argentina's Kirchner and Pope Francis meet in Rome |last=Gilbert |first=Jonathan |date=18 March 2013 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-date=25 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325221658/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2013/0318/Making-nice-Argentina-s-Kirchner-and-Pope-Francis-meet-in-Rome-video |url-status=live}}</ref> {{lang|es|Página 12}} then [[Self-censorship|removed]] their controversial articles about Bergoglio from their web page as a result of this change.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.perfil.com/politica/Pagina12-saco-notas-de-Verbitsky-sobre-Bergoglio-y-la-dictadura-20141118-0024.html |title=Página 12 sacó notas de Verbitsky sobre Bergoglio y la dictadura |date=18 November 2014 |publisher=Perfil |language=es |trans-title=Página 12 removed Verbitsky's articles about Bergoglio and the dictatorship |access-date=28 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620125109/https://www.perfil.com/politica/Pagina12-saco-notas-de-Verbitsky-sobre-Bergoglio-y-la-dictadura-20141118-0024.html |archive-date=20 June 2015}}</ref>

===Javier Milei===
Before [[Javier Milei]]'s election to the Argentine presidency in 2023, he was very critical of Francis, describing him as "imbecile" and a "communist turd". His disparaging comments sparked controversy among Catholics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goñi |first=Uki |date=27 August 2023 |title=The 'false prophet' v the pope: Argentina faces clash of ideologies in election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/27/the-false-prophet-v-the-pope-argentina-faces-clash-of-ideologies-in-election |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=The Observer |issn=0029-7712 |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201094926/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/27/the-false-prophet-v-the-pope-argentina-faces-clash-of-ideologies-in-election |url-status=live}}</ref> However, following his inauguration, Milei softened his position and formally invited Francis to Argentina. Milei visited the Vatican on 11 February 2024, the day Francis canonized [[María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa]], the first female Argentine saint.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Gerard |date=12 February 2024 |title=Pope Francis and Argentina's President Milei hit it off |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/02/12/pope-francis-argentina-president-javier-milei-vatican-247286 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224144947/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/02/12/pope-francis-argentina-president-javier-milei-vatican-247286 |archive-date=24 February 2024 |access-date=24 February 2024 |website=[[America (magazine)|America]]}}</ref>

==Papacy (2013–2025)==
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Vatican&nbsp;II revisited|Theology of Pope Francis#Church leadership}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
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| header            = [[Coat of arms of Pope Francis]]
| image1            = Coat of arms of Jorge Mario Bergoglio.svg
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| caption1          = As cardinal
| image2            = Coat of arms of Franciscus.svg
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| caption2          = As pope
| footer            = The gold star represents the [[Virgin Mary]], the grape-like plant—the [[spikenard]]—is associated with [[Saint Joseph]], and the [[Holy Name of Jesus|IHS]] is the symbol of the Jesuits.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vatican releases Pope Francis' coat of arms, motto and ring |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9937813/Vatican-releases-Pope-Francis-coat-of-arms-motto-and-ring.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321131012/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/9937813/Vatican-releases-Pope-Francis-coat-of-arms-motto-and-ring.html |archive-date=21 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 |location=London}}</ref><ref name="OR">{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/stemma-papa-francesco_it.html |title=Lo Stemma di Papa Francesco |publisher=[[L'Osservatore Romano]] |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 |language=it |archive-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209090516/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/stemma-papa-francesco_it.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NCR" />
}}

Francis was the first [[Jesuit]] pope. This was a significant appointment because of the sometimes tense relations between the [[Society of Jesus]] and the [[Holy See]].<ref>Caleb K. Bell (14 March 2013). "Why the first Jesuit pope is a big deal". Religion News Service. Retrieved 8 June 2015.</ref> He was also the first from [[Latin America]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://world.time.com/2013/03/13/pope-of-the-americas/ |title=Pope of the Americas |date=13 March 2013 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |author=Howard Chua-Eoan |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=31 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531041636/https://world.time.com/2013/03/13/pope-of-the-americas/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the first from the [[Southern Hemisphere]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Fordham Experts Weigh in on Pope Francis' First Decade |url=https://news.fordham.edu/living-the-mission/fordham-experts-weigh-in-on-pope-francis-first-decade/ |access-date=9 March 2023 |work=Fordham Newsroom |date=8 March 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309164135/https://news.fordham.edu/living-the-mission/fordham-experts-weigh-in-on-pope-francis-first-decade/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Many media reported him as being the first non-European pope, but he was the 11th; the previous was [[Pope Gregory III|Gregory&nbsp;III]] from Syria who died in 741. Although Francis was not born in Europe, he was [[Ethnic groups in Europe|ethnically European]]; his father and maternal grandparents were from northern Italy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/13/sorry-jorge-mario-bergoglio-is-not-the-first-non-european-pope/ |title=Sorry, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is not the first non-European pope |last=Fisher |first=Max |date=13 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=15 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615144215/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/13/sorry-jorge-mario-bergoglio-is-not-the-first-non-european-pope/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

As pope, Francis's manner was less formal than that of his immediate predecessors, a style that news coverage referred to as "no frills", noting that it was "his common touch and accessibility that is proving the greatest inspiration".<ref name="nofrills">[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-brings-no-frills-style-to-papacy/ "Pope Francis brings no-frills style to papacy"], CBS News, 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.</ref> On the night of his election, he took a bus back to his hotel with the cardinals rather than being driven in the papal car.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316 |title=Pope Francis wants a 'poor Church for the poor' |date=16 March 2013 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226013425/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316 |url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, he visited Cardinal [[Jorge María Mejía]] in the hospital and chatted with patients and staff.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/retired-argentine-cardinal-heart-attack/comments?type=story&id=18736841 |title=Pope visits ailing Argentine cardinal in hospital |work=ABC News |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316062247/https://abcnews.go.com/International/retired-argentine-cardinal-heart-attack/comments?type=story&id=18736841 |archive-date=16 March 2013 |access-date=9 May 2014}}</ref>

In addition to his [[Native language|native]] Spanish, he spoke fluent Italian (the official language of Vatican City and the "everyday language" of the Holy See) and German. He was also conversant in Latin (the [[official language]] of the Holy See),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/13/new-pope-thirteen-key-facts |title=Pope Francis: 13 key facts about the new pontiff |date=13 March 2013 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |access-date=13 March 2013 |archive-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317120117/https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/13/new-pope-thirteen-key-facts |url-status=live}}</ref> French,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.news.va/it/news/briefing-di-padre-lombardi |title=Briefing di padre Lombardi |date=14 March 2013 |work=news.va |access-date=14 March 2013 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018142947/https://www.news.va/it/news/briefing-di-padre-lombardi}}</ref> Portuguese,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/13_marzo_14/papa-francesco-primo-giorno_9d687672-8c78-11e2-ab2c-711cc67f5f67.shtml |title=Francis and those humble gestures by the Pope, he does not sit on a throne, paying the bill at the hotel |date=14 March 2013 |publisher=Corriere Della Sera |language=it |access-date=1 April 2013 |archive-date=31 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331184311/https://www.corriere.it/cronache/13_marzo_14/papa-francesco-primo-giorno_9d687672-8c78-11e2-ab2c-711cc67f5f67.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> and English;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-first-day |title=Pope Francis, first day after election |date=14 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |author1=Peter Walker |author2=Paul Owen |author3=David Batty |name-list-style=amp |access-date=19 March 2013 |archive-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627230237/https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-first-day |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="languages">Willey, David, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21986185 News analysis sidebar to "Pope Francis delivers Easter plea for peace"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014121611/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21986185 |date=14 October 2018}}, BBC News, 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref> he also understood [[Piedmontese language|Piedmontese]] and some [[Genoese dialect|Genoese Ligurian]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301486.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20130402184851/http%3A//www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301486.htm |archive-date=2 April 2013 |title=Can't chant, can't speak English? Pope says it's because he's tone-deaf |last=Glatz |first=Carol |date=2 April 2013 |publisher=Catholic News Service |access-date=15 September 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Francis chose not to live in the official [[papal apartments|papal residence]] in the [[Apostolic Palace]] but instead remained in the [[Domus Sanctae Marthae|Vatican guest house]] in a suite in which he received visitors and held meetings. He was the first pope since [[Pope Pius&nbsp;X]] to live outside the papal apartments.<ref name="Vatican guesthouse">{{cite web |url=https://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments |title=Pope Francis to live in Vatican guesthouse, not papal apartments |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |date=26 March 2013 |access-date=26 March 2013 |work=[[National Catholic Reporter]] |archive-date=29 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329080857/https://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace for the Sunday [[Angelus]].<ref name="guesthouse">Speciale, Alessandro, [https://www.religionnews.com/2013/03/26/pope-francis-opts-for-vatican-guesthouse-instead-of-papal-apartment/ "Pope Francis opts for Vatican guesthouse instead of spacious papal apartment"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511074129/https://www.religionnews.com/2013/03/26/pope-francis-opts-for-vatican-guesthouse-instead-of-papal-apartment/ |date=11 May 2013}}, Religion News Service, 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.</ref>

As a Jesuit pope, Francis made clear that a fundamental task of the faithful is not so much to follow rules but to discern what God is calling them to do. He altered the culture of the clergy, steering away from what he named "clericalism" (which dwells on priestly status and authority) and toward an ethic of service (Francis said the church's shepherds must have the "smell of the sheep", always staying close to the People of God).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jesuits.org/stories/five-years-later-changes-under-pope-francis-are-revealing-his-jesuit-dna/ |title=Five Years Later Changes under Pope Francis are Revealing his Jesuit DNA |first=William |last=Bole |date=5 March 2018 |website=jesuits.org |access-date=27 September 2022 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811001454/https://www.jesuits.org/stories/five-years-later-changes-under-pope-francis-are-revealing-his-jesuit-dna/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Election===
{{Main|2013 papal conclave|Papal inauguration of Pope Francis}}
[[File:Papa Francisco recién elegido 2.jpg|thumb|Francis appears in public for the first time as pope, at St.&nbsp;Peter's Basilica balcony, 13 March 2013]]

Bergoglio was elected pope on 13 March 2013,<ref name="directory" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/index_sp.htm |title=Franciscus |date=13 March 2013 |publisher=Holy See |quote=Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam: Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Georgium MariumSanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315203915/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/elezione/index_sp.htm |archive-date=15 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope |title=Habemus Papam! Cardinal Bergoglio Elected Pope Francis |work=news.va |access-date=14 March 2013 |archive-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316043440/https://www.news.va/en/news/habemus-papam-cardinal-bergolio-elected-pope}}</ref> the second day of the [[2013 papal conclave]], after which he took the [[papal name]] Francis.<ref name="directory" /><ref name="cnbc">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2013/03/13/cardinal-bergoglio-of-argentina-named-as-new-pope.html |title=Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina Named as New Pope of the Roman Catholic Church |date=13 March 2013 |publisher=[[CNBC]] |access-date=13 March 2013 |archive-date=30 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730114209/https://www.cnbc.com/id/100538976 |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis was elected on the fifth ballot.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.catholicsun.org/2013/03/13/white-smoke-cardinals-elect-new-pope-on-fifth-ballot/ |title=White smoke: Cardinals elect new pope on fifth ballot |date=13 March 2013 |publisher=The Catholic Sun |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=17 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517150203/https://www.catholicsun.org/2013/03/13/white-smoke-cardinals-elect-new-pope-on-fifth-ballot/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The {{lang|la|[[Habemus papam]]}} announcement was delivered by the [[cardinal protodeacon]], [[Jean-Louis Tauran]].<ref name="SuarezPBS">{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/03/a-new-pope-and-maybe-a-new-era.html |title=A New Pope, and Maybe a New Era |last=Suarez |first=Ray |publisher=[[PBS NewsHour]] |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=21 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121190305/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/03/a-new-pope-and-maybe-a-new-era.html}}</ref> Cardinal [[Christoph Schönborn]] later said that Bergoglio was elected following two supernatural signs, one in the conclave—and hence confidential—and one from a Latin-American couple, friends of Schönborn at Vatican City, who whispered Bergoglio's name in the elector's ear; Schönborn commented "if these people say Bergoglio, that's an indication of the Holy Spirit".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10056994/Pope-Francis-elected-after-supernatural-signs-in-the-Conclave-Cardinal.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515045005/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10056994/Pope-Francis-elected-after-supernatural-signs-in-the-Conclave-Cardinal.html |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-access=subscription |via=Gale OneFile: News |access-date=17 October 2023 |title=Pope Francis elected after supernatural 'signs' in the Conclave, says Cardinal |last=Bingham |first=John |date=14 May 2013 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |location=London}}</ref>

Instead of accepting his cardinals' congratulations while seated on the [[papal throne]], Francis received them standing, reportedly an immediate sign of a changing approach to formalities at the Vatican.<ref name="NewEuropeHabemus">{{cite news |url=https://www.neurope.eu/article/habemus-papam-new-pope-new-lifestyle-vatican |title=Habemus Papam: New Pope, new lifestyle in the Vatican |date=15 March 2013 |work=New Europe |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317034759/https://www.neurope.eu/article/habemus-papam-new-pope-new-lifestyle-vatican |archive-date=17 March 2013}}</ref> During his first appearance as pontiff on the balcony of [[Saint Peter's Basilica]], he wore a white [[cassock]], instead of the red, ermine-trimmed [[mozzetta]]<ref name=NewEuropeHabemus /><ref name="Uebbing">{{cite news |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/26793/pope-francis-personality-begins-to-change-routines |title=Pope Francis' personality begins to change routines |last=Uebbing |first=David |agency=Catholic News Agency |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317100134/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-personality-begins-to-change-routines/ |url-status=live}}</ref> used by previous popes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dieter-philippi.de/en/ecclesiastical-fineries/the-mozzetta-of-the-pope |title=The Mozzetta of the Pope |last=Philippi |first=Dieter |publisher=Philippi Collection |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-date=20 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120042532/https://www.dieter-philippi.de/en/ecclesiastical-fineries/the-mozzetta-of-the-pope |url-status=live}}</ref> He also wore the same iron [[pectoral cross]] that he had worn as archbishop of Buenos Aires, rather than the gold one worn by his predecessors.<ref name=Uebbing /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |date=26 March 2013 |title=Pope Francis to live in Vatican guesthouse, not papal apartments |url=https://todayscatholic.org/pope-francis-to-live-in-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421145414/https://todayscatholic.org/pope-francis-to-live-in-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments/ |archive-date=21 April 2025 |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=Today's Catholic}}</ref>

After being elected and choosing his name, his first act was bestowing the {{lang|la|[[Urbi et Orbi]]}} blessing on thousands of pilgrims gathered in [[St.&nbsp;Peter's Square]]. Before blessing the crowd, he delivered a brief speech, greeting those in St.&nbsp;Peter's Square with a simple "Buonasera" ("Good evening", in Italian). He thanked the crowd for welcoming him and asked them to pray for his predecessor, "the bishop emeritus of Rome" Pope Benedict&nbsp;XVI, and for himself as the new "bishop of Rome". He also referred to himself as a Pope coming almost from the end of the world.<ref>His exact words were "Voi sapete che il dovere del conclave era di dare un vescovo a Roma. Sembra che i miei fratelli cardinali siano andati a prenderlo quasi alla fine del mondo, ma siamo qui", i.e. "You know that it was the conclave's duty to choose a bishop for Rome. It seems that my cardinal brothers went for it almost at the end of the world. And here we are."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/pope-francis-blessing-idINDEE92C0FE20130313 |title=Pope Francis delivers first blessing, asks world for prayers |date=14 March 2013 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=19 March 2013 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110202839/https://in.reuters.com/article/pope-francis-blessing-idINDEE92C0FE20130313}}</ref>

Francis held his [[papal inauguration]] on 19 March 2013 in St.&nbsp;Peter's Square.<ref name="directory" /> He celebrated Mass in the presence of political and religious leaders from around the world.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21839069 |title=Pope Francis in plea for poor as inauguration Mass held |date=19 March 2013 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=21 March 2013 |archive-date=21 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321153132/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21839069 |url-status=live}}</ref> In his homily, Francis focused on the [[Solemnity of Saint Joseph]], the liturgical day on which the Mass was celebrated.<ref>{{cite web |author=Pope Francis |url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontificato_en.html |title=Homily of Pope Francis |date=19 March 2013 |publisher=Holy See |access-date=23 March 2013 |archive-date=22 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322054014/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130319_omelia-inizio-pontificato_en.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The next day, [[Federico Lombardi]] told to the media that Francis had met all the cardinals in the [[Sistine Chapel]] choosing to stand up, rather than sitting on the chair at his disposal, and that he went back to the {{lang|la|[[Domus Sanctae Marthae]]}} on a minivan with the other cardinals, instead of using a private car. Afterward he went to the guest house where he had resided during the conclave, collected his belongings and insisted on paying the bill.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Padre Lombardi: il Papa indossa la croce pettorale di quando era vescovo |url=http://www.radiovaticana.va/page404.html |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=www.radiovaticana.va |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310115026/http://www.radiovaticana.va/page404.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Name===
[[File:Pope Francis among the people at St. Peter's Square - 12 May 2013.jpg|thumb|Francis in [[St.&nbsp;Peter's Square]], two months after his election]]

At his first audience on 16 March 2013, Francis told journalists that he had chosen the name in honor of [[Francis of Assisi|Saint Francis of Assisi]] and had done so because he was especially concerned for the well-being of the poor.<ref name="The Guardian-2013a" /><ref name="Vatican Today-2013" /><ref>Michael Martinez, [https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/13/world/pope-name/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 CNN Vatican analyst: Pope Francis' name choice 'precedent shattering'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008012331/https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/13/world/pope-name/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |date=8 October 2020}}, [[CNN]] (13 March 2013). Retrieved 13 March 2013.</ref> He explained that, as it was becoming clear during the conclave voting that he would be elected, the Brazilian Cardinal [[Cláudio Hummes]] had embraced him and whispered, "Don't forget the poor", which made Bergoglio think of the saint.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Laura |last1=Smith-Spark |first2=Hada |last2=Messia |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |url-status=live |archive-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317035923/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |title=Pope Francis explains name, calls for church 'for the poor' |publisher=CNN |date=16 March 2013 |access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21812545 |title=Pope Francis wants 'poor Church for the poor' |date=16 March 2013 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=4 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204142721/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21812545 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bergoglio had previously expressed his admiration for St.&nbsp;Francis, explaining that: "He brought to Christianity an idea of poverty against the luxury, pride, vanity of the civil and ecclesiastical powers of the time. He changed history."<ref name="bethune">Bethune, Brian, [https://www.macleans.ca/2013/03/26/man-of-the-people-2/ "Pope Francis: How the first New World pontiff could save the church"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803171059/https://www2.macleans.ca/2013/03/26/man-of-the-people-2/ |date=3 August 2013}}, ''Maclean's'', 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.</ref>

It was the first time that a pope had been named "Francis". On the day of his election, the Vatican clarified that his official papal name was "Francis" and not "Francis&nbsp;I"; that is, no [[regnal number]] was used for him. If there is a Francis&nbsp;II, then Francis will be known as Francis&nbsp;I.<ref name="Vatican Today-2013" /><ref name="Vatican: It's Pope Francis, not Pope Francis I" /> It was the first time since [[Pope Lando|Lando]]'s 913–914 pontificate that a canonical pope held a name not used by a predecessor.{{efn|[[John Paul&nbsp;I]], elected in 1978, took a new combination of already used names, in honor of his two immediate predecessors, [[John&nbsp;XXIII]] and [[Paul&nbsp;VI]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Knowles |first=Leo |title=Modern Heroes of the Church |year=2003 |publisher=Our Sunday Visitor Publishing |location=Huntington, IN |isbn=978-1-931709-46-0 |page=115 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6p1ktAEACAAJ |archive-date=20 January 2025 |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120171344/https://books.google.com/books?id=6p1ktAEACAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Francis also said that some cardinal electors had jokingly suggested to him that he should choose either "Adrian", since [[Adrian&nbsp;VI]] had been a reformer of the church, or "Clement", to settle the score with [[Clement&nbsp;XIV]] who had [[Suppression of the Society of Jesus|suppressed the Jesuit order]].<ref name="PapalName">[https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/march/documents/papa-francesco_20130316_rappresentanti-media_en.html Audience to Representatives of the Communications Media&nbsp;– Address of the Holy Father Pope Francis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402220159/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013/march/documents/papa-francesco_20130316_rappresentanti-media_en.html |date=2 April 2014}}&nbsp;– [[vatican.va]]&nbsp;– [[Paul VI Audience Hall]] Saturday, 16 March 2013.</ref><ref>Marco R. della Cava, [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/16/pope-francis-press-conference/1992355/ Pope Francis charms media in first press address] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825194800/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/16/pope-francis-press-conference/1992355/ |date=25 August 2017}}, ''USA Today'' (16 March 2013). Retrieved 16 March 2013.</ref> Bergoglio, had he been elected in 2005, would have chosen the pontifical name of "John&nbsp;XXIV" in honor of [[John&nbsp;XXIII]]. He told Cardinal [[Francesco Marchisano]]: "John, I would have called myself John, like the Good Pope; I would have been completely inspired by him."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-once-thought-taking-name-john-after-pope-john-xxiii |title=Francis once thought of taking the name John, after Pope John&nbsp;XXIII |date=11 February 2014 |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305070944/https://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-once-thought-taking-name-john-after-pope-john-xxiii}}</ref>

===Curia===
[[File:Francis Inauguration fc10.jpg|thumb|Inauguration of Francis, 19 March 2013]]

Francis abolished the bonuses paid to Vatican employees upon the election of a new pope, amounting to several million euros, opting instead to donate the money to charity.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/04/19/Pope-scraps-Vatican-staff-bonuses-directs-money-to-charity/UPI-14541366354800/ |title=Pope scraps Vatican staff bonuses, directs money to charity |date=19 April 2013 |work=United Press International |access-date=21 April 2013 |archive-date=21 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421152338/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/04/19/Pope-scraps-Vatican-staff-bonuses-directs-money-to-charity/UPI-14541366354800/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He also abolished the €25,000 annual bonus paid to cardinals serving on the Board of Supervisors for the [[Institute for the Works of Religion|Vatican bank]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2013/04/15/news/pope-francis-sets-up-a-group-of-eight-cardinals-to-advise-him-1.36103794 |title=Ior: Cuts to the cardinals' 'earnings' |last=Galeazi |first=Giacomo |date=19 April 2013 |publisher=Las Stampa: Vatican Insider |access-date=21 April 2013 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308150136/https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2013/04/15/news/pope-francis-sets-up-a-group-of-eight-cardinals-to-advise-him-1.36103794 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 13 April 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 and only one member of the Curia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-taps-eight-cardinals-lead-reform |title=Pope taps eight cardinals to lead reform |last=Allen |first=John L. Jr. |date=13 April 2013 |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |access-date=14 April 2013 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902010024/https://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-taps-eight-cardinals-lead-reform}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francis-francisco-24044/ |title=Pope Francis sets up a group of eight cardinals to advise him |last=O'Connell |first=Gerard |date=13 April 2013 |publisher=La Stampa: Vatican Insider |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-date=15 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415015644/https://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francis-francisco-24044/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Early issues===
On the first [[Maundy Thursday|Holy Thursday]] following his election, Francis washed and kissed the feet of ten male and two female juvenile offenders imprisoned at Rome's Casal del Marmo detention facility, telling them [[Maundy (foot washing)|the ritual of foot washing]] is a sign that he is at their service.<ref name="muslimfeetwashing">Speciale, Alessandro, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/pope-washes-feet-of-two-girls-two-muslims-at-youth-prison/2013/03/28/0a7c573e-97e5-11e2-b5b4-b63027b499de_story.html "Pope washes feet of two girls, two Muslims at youth prison"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818110121/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/pope-washes-feet-of-two-girls-two-muslims-at-youth-prison/2013/03/28/0a7c573e-97e5-11e2-b5b4-b63027b499de_story.html |date=18 August 2017}}, ''The Washington Post'' (''On Faith''), 29 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.</ref> This was the first time that a pope had included women in this ritual, although he had already done so when he was archbishop.<ref name="muslimfeetwashing" /> One of the male and one of the female prisoners were [[Muslim]].<ref name="muslimfeetwashing" />

On 31 March 2013, Francis used his first {{lang|la|[[Urbi et Orbi]]}} Easter address to make a plea for [[world peace]], specifically mentioning the Middle East, Africa, and North and South Korea.<ref name="eastersermon">Lymon, Eric J., [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/31/easter-vatican-pope/2039617/ "Pope Francis makes pleas for peace on Easter Sunday"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018142711/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/31/easter-vatican-pope/2039617/ |date=18 October 2017}}, ''USA Today'', 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref> He also spoke out against those who give in to "easy gain" in a world filled with greed and made a plea for humanity to become a better guardian of creation by protecting the environment.<ref name="eastersermon" /><ref name="languages" /> Although the Vatican had prepared greetings in 65 languages, Francis chose not to read them.<ref name="languages" /> According to the Vatican, the pope "at least for now, feels at ease using Italian".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130401151028/https://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-pope-francis-easter-mass-20130331%2C0%2C1763686.story "Pope Francis makes an Easter plea for peace"], Los Angeles Times (from AP), 31 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref>
<!--
[[File:VISITA PAPA FRANCISCO I (19473235041).jpg|thumb|Thousands welcomed Francis in [[Guayaquil]], Ecuador, 6 July 2015.]] nice pic but neither of him nor of thousands -->

In 2013, Francis initially reaffirmed the [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]]'s programme to [[Leadership Conference of Women Religious#Doctrinal issues|reform the US Leadership Conference of Women Religious]]<ref name="Uebbing-2013">{{cite news |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/27002/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference |title=Pope backs reform of US sisters' leadership conference |last=Uebbing |first=David |date=15 April 2013 |agency=Catholic News Agency |access-date=19 April 2013 |archive-date=18 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418021114/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-backs-reform-of-us-sisters-leadership-conference/ |url-status=live}}</ref> which had been initiated under his predecessor, Pope Benedict&nbsp;XVI. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that the Vatican had formed the opinion in 2012 that the [[Religious sister (Catholic)|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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/pope-upholds-reprimand-of-nuns-group.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419022016/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/pope-upholds-reprimand-of-nuns-group.html |archive-date=19 April 2013 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Pope Upholds Reprimand of American Nuns' Group |last=Goodstein |first=Laurie |date=15 April 2013 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="Uebbing-2013" /> In April 2015 the investigation was brought to a close. While the timing of the closure may have anticipated [[Pope Francis's visit to the United States|a visit by Francis to the US]] in September 2015, it was noted that the sisters' emphasis is close to that of Francis.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/us/catholic-church-ends-takeover-of-leadership-conference-of-women-religious.html Vatican Ends Battle With U.S. Catholic Nuns' Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526031044/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/us/catholic-church-ends-takeover-of-leadership-conference-of-women-religious.html |date=26 May 2017}} ''The New York Times'', 16 April 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.</ref>

===Synodal church===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Decentralization}}
[[File:FrancisQuitoR.png|thumb|Francis in [[Quito]], Ecuador, 2015|254x254px]]

Francis oversaw synods on [[Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops|the family]] (2014), on [[Fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops|youth]] (2018), and on [[Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region|the church in the Amazon region]] (2019). In 2019 Francis's apostolic constitution ''{{lang|la|[[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.<ref name="sept18">{{cite news |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/39398/pope-francis-approves-new-constitution-for-synod-of-bishops |title=Pope Francis approves new constitution for Synod of Bishops |last=Brockhaus |first=Hannah |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=21 May 2019 |agency=Catholic News Agency |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305075140/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-approves-new-constitution-for-synod-of-bishops-79689 |url-status=live}}</ref> Some analysts see the creation of a truly synodal church as likely to become the greatest contribution to Francis's papacy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Charlotte |date=2 February 2020 |title=Pope Francis, everyman pontiff: Profile |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/pope-francis-everyman-pontiff-profile-200101104012522.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003053120/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/2/2/pope-francis-everyman-pontiff-profile |archive-date=3 October 2020 |access-date=5 February 2020 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref>

On 4 October 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]].<ref name="Horowitz-2023" /><ref name="Horowitz-2023a" />

===Institute for the Works of Religion===
In the first months of Francis's papacy, the [[Institute for the Works of Religion]], informally known as the Vatican Bank, said that it would become more transparent in its financial dealings.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201351616303447140.html |title=Pope Francis condemns global 'cult of money' |date=16 May 2013 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |access-date=28 May 2015 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403022453/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201351616303447140.html |url-status=live}}</ref> There had long been allegations of corruption and [[money laundering]] connected with the bank.<ref name="bank1">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/26/vatican-bank-pope-francis-commission |title=Vatican bank faces review by Pope Francis commission |last=Davies |first=Lizzy |date=26 June 2013 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-date=18 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618125252/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/26/vatican-bank-pope-francis-commission |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bank2">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23094320 |title=Monsignor Nunzio Scarano held in Vatican bank inquiry |last=Willey |first=David |date=28 June 2013 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=18 July 2013 |archive-date=18 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718183525/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23094320 |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis appointed a commission to advise him about reform of the Bank,<ref name=bank1 /><ref name=bank2 /> and the finance consulting firm [[Promontory Financial Group]] was assigned to carry out a comprehensive investigation of all customer contacts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.va/en/news/update-on-the-case-of-mons-nunzio-scarano |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528181035/https://www.news.va/en/news/update-on-the-case-of-mons-nunzio-scarano |archive-date=28 May 2015 |title=Update on the case of Mons. Nunzio Scarano |date=12 July 2013 |series=Justice and Peace |work=news.va |access-date=6 August 2013}}</ref> In January 2014, Francis replaced four of the five cardinal overseers of the Vatican Bank who had been confirmed in their positions in the final days of Benedict&nbsp;XVI's papacy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-replaces-cardinals-serving-vatican-bank-oversight-commission |title=Pope replaces cardinals serving on Vatican bank oversight commission |last=Glatz |first=Carol |date=15 January 2014 |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |access-date=18 January 2014 |archive-date=3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203214920/https://ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-replaces-cardinals-serving-vatican-bank-oversight-commission |url-status=live}}</ref> Lay experts and clerics were looking into how the bank was run. [[Ernst von Freyberg]] was put in charge. [[Moneyval]] felt more reform was needed, and Francis showed some willingness to close the bank if the reforms proved too difficult.<ref name="Jones">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/pope-francis-report-card |title=12 months a pope: Francis's report card after a year at the top |last=Davies |first=Lizzy |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=13 March 2014 |access-date=4 October 2014 |archive-date=16 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016184725/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/pope-francis-report-card |url-status=live}}</ref> There was uncertainty about how far reforms could succeed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/13/can-pope-francis-clean-up-gods-bank |title=Can Pope Francis clean up God's bank? |last=Vallely |first=Paul |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=13 August 2015 |access-date=12 December 2016 |archive-date=22 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022023400/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/13/can-pope-francis-clean-up-gods-bank |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Writings===
{{Main|Pope Francis bibliography}}

Pope Francis wrote a variety of books, [[encyclical]]s, and other texts, including a memoir, ''[[Hope (Pope Francis memoir)|Hope]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Sophia |date=16 October 2024 |title=Random House to Publish Memoir by Pope Francis |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96246-random-house-to-publish-memoir-by-pope-francis.html |access-date=16 October 2024 |work=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=12 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112204113/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96246-random-house-to-publish-memoir-by-pope-francis.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 June 2013, Francis published the encyclical ''{{lang|la|[[Lumen fidei]]}}'', which was largely the work of Benedict&nbsp;XVI but awaited a final draft at his retirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei.html |title=Lumen Fidei (29 June 2013) |author=Francis |website=w2.vatican.va |access-date=25 September 2019 |archive-date=15 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115115142/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On 24 November 2013, Francis published his first major letter as pope, the [[apostolic exhortation]] ''{{lang|la|[[Evangelii gaudium]]}}'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html |title=Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of the Holy Father Francis to the Bishops, Clergy, Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today's World |work=[[Holy See]] |access-date=26 December 2019 |archive-date=11 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811092426/https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html |url-status=live}}</ref> which he described as the programmatic of his papacy.<ref name="National Catholic Reporter-2013">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/evangelii-gaudium-amounts-francis-i-have-dream-speech |title='Evangelii Gaudium' amounts to Francis' 'I Have a Dream' speech |date=26 November 2013 |website=National Catholic Reporter |access-date=25 September 2019 |archive-date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925121644/https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/evangelii-gaudium-amounts-francis-i-have-dream-speech |url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 June 2015, he published his first own encyclical ''{{lang|la|[[Laudato si']]}}'' concerning care for the planet.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jim |last1=Yardley |first2=Laurie |last2=Goodstein |date=18 June 2015 |title=Pope Francis, in Sweeping Encyclical, Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> On 8 April 2016, Francis published his second apostolic exhortation, {{lang|la|[[Amoris laetitia]]}},<ref name="Amoris laetitia">Pope Francis (8 April 2016), [https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html Amoris laetitia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114152915/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html |date=14 January 2021}}. The Holy See. Retrieved 20 April 2016.</ref> remarking on love within the family. Controversy arose at the end of 2016 when four cardinals formally asked Francis for clarifications, particularly on the issue of giving communion to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.lastampa.it/2016/11/14/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/four-cardinals-openly-challenge-francis-over-amoris-laetitia-62np8ZYXQkeXyBamk0M0jP/pagina.html |title=Four cardinals openly challenge Francis over 'Amoris Laetitia' |last=McElwee |first=Josh |date=14 November 2016 |work=Vatican Insider |access-date=20 December 2016 |archive-date=30 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930212430/https://www.lastampa.it/2016/11/14/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/four-cardinals-openly-challenge-francis-over-amoris-laetitia-62np8ZYXQkeXyBamk0M0jP/pagina.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

A further apostolic exhortation, {{lang|la|[[Gaudete et exsultate]]}} (''Rejoice and be glad''), was published on 19 March 2018, dealing with "the [[Universal call to holiness|call to holiness]]" for all persons. He counters contemporary versions of the [[Gnosticism|gnostic]] and [[Pelagianism|Pelagian]] [[Heresy in Christianity|heresies]] and describes how Jesus's beatitudes call people to "go against the flow".<ref>Pope Francis, [https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html {{lang|la|Gaudete et exsultate}}] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709164130/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html |date=9 July 2023}}, 19 March 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.</ref>

In February 2019, Francis acknowledged that priests and bishops were sexually abusing [[Religious sister (Catholic)|religious sisters]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Jason |last2=Dias |first2=Elizabeth |title=Pope Acknowledges Nuns Were Sexually Abused by Priests and Bishops |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/05/world/europe/pope-nuns-sexual-abuse.html |access-date=7 February 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=5 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208062100/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/05/world/europe/pope-nuns-sexual-abuse.html |archive-date=8 February 2019}}</ref> He addressed this and the [[clergy sex abuse scandal]] by convening a summit on clergy sexual abuse in February 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title='A Life Destroyed': Survivors And Pope Address Clergy Sex Abuse at Vatican Summit |website=[[NPR]] |date=21 February 2019 |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/02/21/696723194/a-life-destroyed-survivors-and-pope-at-vatican-summit-address-clergy-sex-abuse |access-date=25 September 2019 |last1=Held |first1=Amy |last2=Poggioli |first2=Sylvia |archive-date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925150514/https://www.npr.org/2019/02/21/696723194/a-life-destroyed-survivors-and-pope-at-vatican-summit-address-clergy-sex-abuse |url-status=live}}</ref> As a follow-up to that summit, on 9 May 2019 Francis [[promulgated]] the {{lang|la|[[motu proprio]]}} {{lang|la|[[Vos estis lux mundi]]}} which specified responsibilities, including reporting directly to the Holy See on bishops and on one's superior, while simultaneously involving another bishop in the [[archdiocese]] of the accused bishop.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pope Francis Signs Motu Proprio to Prevent and Denounce Abuses in the Catholic Church |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-signs-motu-proprio-to-prevent-and-denounce-abuses-in-the-catholic-church |access-date=3 October 2020 |website=NCR |date=9 May 2019 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107224948/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-signs-motu-proprio-to-prevent-and-denounce-abuses-in-the-catholic-church |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 4 October 2020, Francis published the encyclical ''{{lang|la|[[Fratelli tutti]]}}'' on fraternity and social friendship.<ref name="Pentin-2020">{{cite web |last=Pentin |first=Edward |date=4 October 2020 |title=Pope's New Encyclical 'Fratelli Tutti' Outlines Vision for a Better World |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world |access-date=6 October 2020 |website=[[National Catholic Register]] |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005111314/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-s-new-encyclical-fratelli-tutti-outlines-vision-for-a-better-world |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 8 December 2020, on the Feast of the [[Immaculate Conception]], Pope Francis published the [[Ecclesiastical letter#Letters of the popes in modern times|apostolic letter]] {{lang|la|Patris corde}} ("With a Father's Heart").<ref>{{cite web |title=Apostolic Letter Patris Corde of the Holy Father Francis on the 150th Anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church (8 December 2020) |author=Francis |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html |access-date=14 March 2021 |website=www.vatican.va |archive-date=10 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210115314/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html |url-status=live}}</ref> 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 [[Catholic Church|Universal Church]].<ref>{{cite news |date=8 December 2020 |title=Pope Francis proclaims 'Year of St&nbsp;Joseph' |work=[[Vatican News]] |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html |archive-date=21 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021081135/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 June 2021, Francis published the apostolic constitution ''{{lang|la|[[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.<ref name=Giangravé>{{cite news |first=Claire |last=Giangravé |agency=[[Religion News Service]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/pope-francis-issues-long-awaited-reform-of-vatican-penal-law/2021/06/01/fb957d84-c320-11eb-89a4-b7ae22aa193e_story.html |title=Pope Francis issues long-awaited reform of Vatican penal law |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604194621/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/pope-francis-issues-long-awaited-reform-of-vatican-penal-law/2021/06/01/fb957d84-c320-11eb-89a4-b7ae22aa193e_story.html |archive-date=4 June 2021}}</ref>

===Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue===
{{Main|Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue of Pope Francis}}
[[File:Stamps of Azerbaijan, 2016-1283s.jpg|thumb|1.5 [[Azerbaijani manat]] postage stamp commemorating the pastoral visit of Francis to Azerbaijan on 2 October 2016.]]

Pope Francis upheld the Second Vatican Council's tradition by promoting [[ecumenism]] with other [[Christian denominations]], encouraging dialogue with other religions, and supporting peace with secular individuals.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |last3= |last4= |last5= |last6= |first6= |date=14 September 2023 |title=Pope Francis says "True ecumenism is realized on a journey." "we have to walk together, pray together and work together....serve the poor, help Christian and non-Christian communities." FULL TEXT |url=https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2023/09/pope-francis-says-true-ecumenism-is.html |access-date=23 April 2025 |website=Catholic News World |archive-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423045323/https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2023/09/pope-francis-says-true-ecumenism-is.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Clerical titles===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Clericalism}}

In January 2014, Francis said that he would appoint fewer [[monsignor]]s and only assign those honored to the lowest of the three surviving ranks of monsignor, [[chaplain of His Holiness]]; it would be awarded only to [[diocesan priest]]s at least 65 years old. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis never sought the title for any of his priests. It is believed he associated it with clerical careerism and hierarchy, although he did not apply this restriction to clergy working in the Roman Curia or diplomatic corps where careerism was an even greater concern.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/31027/ |title=Pope abolishes honorary title of monsignor for diocesan priests under the age of 65 |last=O'Connell |first=Gerard |date=4 January 2014 |publisher=Vatican Insider |access-date=4 January 2014 |archive-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212828/https://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/31027/}}</ref>

===Canonizations, beatifications and doctors of the church===
{{Main|List of saints canonized by Pope Francis|List of people beatified by Pope Francis|List of people declared venerable by Pope Francis}}
[[File:Canonization 2014- The Canonization of Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II (14036831824).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Francis on the occasion of the [[Canonization of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II|canonization of John&nbsp;XXIII and John Paul&nbsp;II]]]]

Francis presided over the first canonizations of his pontificate on 12 May 2013 in which he canonized the [[Martyrs of Otranto]]—Antonio Primaldo and his 812 companions who had been [[Ottoman invasion of Otranto|executed by the Ottomans]] in 1480<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-02-11/papa-lascia-pontificato-febbraiio-114943.shtml?uuid=Abm8RITH |title=L'addio di papa Ratzinger: 'Lascio per il bene della Chiesa'. Il fratello Georg: 'Lo sapevo da mesi' |website=Il Sole 24 ORE |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222222141/https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-02-11/papa-lascia-pontificato-febbraiio-114943.shtml?uuid=Abm8RITH |url-status=live}}</ref>—as well as the [[Religious sister (Catholic)|religious sisters]] [[Laura Montoya|Laura of St.&nbsp;Catherine of Siena]] and [[María Guadalupe García Zavala]].<ref name="Al Jazeera-2013">{{cite web |date=12 May 2013 |title=Francis canonises first saints of his papacy |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/05/201351212314711566.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513014907/https://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/05/201351212314711566.html |archive-date=13 May 2013 |access-date=12 May 2013 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> In this first canonization, Francis surpassed the [[List of saints canonized by Pope John Paul II|record of Pope John Paul&nbsp;II]] in canonizing the most saints in a pontificate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2024 |title=Francis is the pope who has canonized the most saints |url=https://aleteia.org/2024/10/16/francis-is-the-pope-who-has-canonized-the-most-saints |access-date=25 February 2025 |website=[[Aleteia]] |archive-date=12 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312052602/https://aleteia.org/2024/10/16/francis-is-the-pope-who-has-canonized-the-most-saints |url-status=live}}</ref>

Saints the Pope canonized include [[Louis Martin and Marie-Azélie Guérin]] (the first married couple to be named as saints together),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/10/19/pope-francis-canonises-the-martins/ |title=Pope Francis canonises Louis and Zélie Martin |newspaper=Catholic Herald |date=19 October 2015 |access-date=14 October 2017 |archive-date=14 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014233703/https://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/10/19/pope-francis-canonises-the-martins/}}</ref> [[Mother Teresa]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Mother Teresa officially becomes a saint at canonization ceremony in Vatican City |date=5 September 2016 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] Australia |access-date=14 October 2017 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-04/mother-teresa-canonised-at-ceremony-in-st-peters-cathedral/7813048 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018142914/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-04/mother-teresa-canonised-at-ceremony-in-st-peters-cathedral/7813048 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Óscar Romero]].<ref name="Pullella-2018">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/slain-salvadorian-bishop-romero-and-pope-paul-vi-become-saints-idUSKCN1MO098 |title=Slain Salvadoran bishop Romero and Pope Paul&nbsp;VI become saints |work=[[Reuters]] |first=Philip |last=Pullella |date=14 October 2018 |access-date=20 October 2018 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811001314/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-saints/slain-salvadorian-bishop-romero-and-pope-paul-vi-become-saints-idUSKCN1MO098 |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis canonized three of his predecessors: John&nbsp;XXIII, John Paul&nbsp;II and Paul&nbsp;VI.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/27/world/pope-canonization/index.html |work=[[CNN]] |title=Sainthood for John Paul&nbsp;II, John&nbsp;XXIII in canonization ceremony |date=27 April 2014 |access-date=14 October 2017 |archive-date=14 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014183047/https://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/27/world/pope-canonization/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pullella-2018" /> Francis also confirmed [[Pope John Paul&nbsp;I]] to be [[Venerable]]<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Catholic Herald |date=9 November 2017 |access-date=10 November 2017 |author=Junno Arocho Esteves |title=Pope Francis officially declares John Paul&nbsp;I 'venerable' |url=https://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/11/09/pope-francis-officially-declares-john-paul-i-venerable/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110091738/https://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/11/09/pope-francis-officially-declares-john-paul-i-venerable/ |archive-date=10 November 2017}}</ref> and [[Beatification|Blessed]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope Francis beatifies his predecessor John Paul&nbsp;I |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 September 2022 |access-date=3 April 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/04/pope-francis-beatifies-john-paul-i}}</ref>

Francis declared two new [[Doctors of the Church]]: [[Gregory of Narek|Saint Gregory of Narek]] in 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/13/newest_doctor_of_the_church_st_gregory_of_narek/1136368 |title=Newest Doctor of the Church: St.&nbsp;Gregory of Narek |date=13 April 2015 |publisher=[[Vatican Radio]] |access-date=23 September 2017 |archive-date=16 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116130801/https://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/04/13/newest_doctor_of_the_church_st_gregory_of_narek/1136368 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Irenaeus|Saint Irenaeus of Lyon]] in 2022.<ref name=Esteves2022>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/pope-receives-proposal-declare-st-irenaeus-doctor-church |title=Pope declares St.&nbsp;Irenaeus a doctor of the church |publisher=[[National Catholic Reporter]] |author=Junno Arocho Esteves |date=21 January 2022 |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207051050/https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/pope-receives-proposal-declare-st-irenaeus-doctor-church |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Consistories===
{{Main|Cardinals created by Francis}}

Francis created 163 cardinals from 76 countries across ten [[Papal consistory|consistories]]. He held his first consistory in February 2014, a rare occasion in which he publicly appeared with his predecessor, Benedict&nbsp;XVI.<ref name="Reuters">[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-consistory-benedict-idUSBREA1L07X20140222 Pope Francis inducts new cardinals as predecessor Benedict looks on] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517185940/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-consistory-benedict-idUSBREA1L07X20140222|date=17 May 2021}}, Reuters, 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26301947 Pope Francis appoints 19 new cardinals in Rome ceremony] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103121944/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26301947 |date=3 January 2019}}, BBC News, 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.</ref> After the 2024 consistory, 110 cardinals appointed by Francis were under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote at a [[papal conclave]]. There were, at that point, 110 cardinal-electors created by Francis, 24 created by Benedict&nbsp;XVI, and six created by John Paul&nbsp;II.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Christopher |date=7 December 2024 |title=A bruised Pope Francis tells 21 new cardinals: 'Walk in the path of Jesus' |url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/bruised-pope-francis-tells-21-new-cardinals-walk-path-jesus |access-date=23 February 2025 |website=National Catholic Reporter |archive-date=13 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113105710/https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/bruised-pope-francis-tells-21-new-cardinals-walk-path-jesus |url-status=live}}</ref>

Francis's appointments made the [[College of Cardinals]] less European-dominated.<ref name=Diamant>{{cite web |first=Jeff |last=Diamant |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/09/20/under-pope-francis-the-college-of-cardinals-has-become-less-european/ |title=Under Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals has become less European |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=20 September 2023}}</ref> He appointed many cardinals from [[developing countries]], including some of the world's poorest, and from countries on the peripheries of the church.<ref name=Reese2023Conclave>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/francis-now-has-cardinals-he-needs-next-conclave-it-enough |title=Francis now has the cardinals he needs for the next conclave. Is it enough? |date=18 July 2023 |author=Thomas Reese |newspaper=National Catholic Register}}</ref>

Compared to his predecessors, Francis made fewer appointments of [[Roman Curia]] officials to the cardinalate.<ref name=Reese2023Conclave/> This was part of a general trend under Francis to a more decentralized church.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/francis-fifth-a-synod-humanae-vitae-milestone-and-more-decentralized-church |title=Francis' Fifth: A Synod, Humanae Vitae Milestone and More Decentralized Church |date=10 January 2018 |author=Edward Pentin |newspaper=[[National Catholic Register]]}}</ref> Compared to his predecessor Benedict, who preferred to appoint academically inclined churchmen as cardinal, Francis favored cardinals with a more pastoral focus,<ref name=Reese2023Conclave/> especially those known for a focus on the poor and marginalized.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/freed-from-elevator-pope-names-new-cardinals-from-muslim-developing-countries/a-50249080 |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |title=Freed from elevator, pope names new cardinals from Muslim, developing countries |date=1 September 2019 |access-date=2 September 2019 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901220938/https://www.dw.com/en/freed-from-elevator-pope-names-new-cardinals-from-muslim-developing-countries/a-50249080 |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis also dropped the traditional custom of always appointing the archbishops of certain historically prominent [[Episcopal see|sees]] (such as the [[Patriarch of Venice]] and [[Archbishop of Milan]]) as cardinals.<ref name=Reese2023Conclave/>

===Year of Mercy===
{{Main|Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy}}
[[File:A Szentév kapujának megnyitása 2015 - Opening of the Holy Door 2015 4.jpeg|thumb|upright=0.85|Francis opens the [[Holy door|Holy Door]], marking the beginning of the [[Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy]].]]

In his April 2015 [[papal bull]] of indiction, {{lang|la|Misericordiae Vultus}} (''The Face of [[Mercy]]''), Francis inaugurated a Special [[Jubilee (Christianity)|Jubilee Year]] of Mercy to run from 8 December 2015, [[Solemnity]] of the [[Immaculate Conception]] of the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]], to the last Sunday before [[Advent]] and the Solemnity of the [[Feast of Christ the King]] of the Universe on 20 November 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Connell |first1=Gerard |title=Pope Francis Announces a 'Jubilee Year of Mercy' |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/content/dispatches/pope-francis-announces-jubilee-year-mercy |access-date=May 14, 2025 |date=March 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Misericordiae Vultus (Face of Mercy) |url=https://avosa.org/news/misericordiae-vultus-face-of-mercy |website=Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia |access-date=May 13, 2025 |date=April 12, 2015}}</ref>

The [[Holy Door]]s of the major basilicas of Rome were opened, and special "Doors of Mercy" were opened at cathedrals and other major churches around the world, where the faithful could earn indulgences by fulfilling the usual conditions of prayer for the pope's intentions, confession, and detachment from sin, and communion.<ref name="opening" /><ref>{{cite web |title=The Gift Of The Indulgence (29 January 2000) |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html |access-date=6 September 2020 |website=vatican.va |archive-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716183145/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html |url-status=live}}</ref> During Lent of that year, special 24-hour penance services were celebrated, and during the year, special qualified and experienced priests called "Missionaries of Mercy" were available in every diocese to forgive even severe, special-case sins normally reserved to the Holy See's [[Apostolic Penitentiary]].<ref name="Misericordiae" /><ref name="time" />

Francis established the [[World Day of the Poor]] in his Apostolic letter, ''{{lang|la|Misericordia et Misera}}'', issued on 20 November 2016 to celebrate the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Day of the Poor |url=https://justiceandpeace.org.au/world-day-of-the-poor/ |website=Justice and Peace Office |access-date=18 June 2018 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618175224/https://justiceandpeace.org.au/world-day-of-the-poor/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/card-ranjith-calls-for-prayers-and-practical-action-on-world-day-of-the-poor/39361/1 |title=Card Ranjith calls for prayers and practical action on World Day of the Poor |date=30 November 2017 |website=Herald Malaysia Online |access-date=18 June 2018 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618152259/https://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/card-ranjith-calls-for-prayers-and-practical-action-on-world-day-of-the-poor/39361/1 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===COVID-19 pandemic===
{{See also|COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City}}

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Francis canceled [[Papal audience|his regular general audiences]] at [[St.&nbsp;Peter's Square]] to keep crowds from gathering and spreading the virus, which had [[COVID-19 pandemic in Italy|seriously affected Italy]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Pullella |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pope/pope-cancels-main-public-appearances-to-stop-crowds-gathering-amid-coronavirus-idUSKBN20U0JH |work=[[Reuters]] |date=7 March 2020 |title=Pope cancels main public appearances to stop crowds gathering amid coronavirus |access-date=13 March 2020 |archive-date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316102840/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pope/pope-cancels-main-public-appearances-to-stop-crowds-gathering-amid-coronavirus-idUSKBN20U0JH |url-status=live}}</ref> He encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/pope-tells-priests-to-go-out-and-meet-the-coronavirus-sick |title=Pope tells priests to go out and meet the coronavirus sick |date=10 March 2020 |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=13 March 2020 |archive-date=11 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311231926/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/pope-tells-priests-to-go-out-and-meet-the-coronavirus-sick |url-status=live}}</ref> urged the faithful not to forget the poor during the time of crisis;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-do-not-forget-the-poor-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic |title=Pope Francis: Do Not Forget the Poor During the Coronavirus Pandemic |website=National Catholic Register |date=12 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114859/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-do-not-forget-the-poor-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic |url-status=live}}</ref> offered prayers for people with the virus in China;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-prays-for-coronavirus-victims-in-china |title=Pope Francis Prays for Coronavirus Victims in China |website=National Catholic Register |date=26 January 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |archive-date=26 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126173844/https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-prays-for-coronavirus-victims-in-china |url-status=live}}</ref> and invoked the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title [[Salus Populi Romani]], as the [[Diocese of Rome]] observed a period of prayer and fasting in recognition of the victims.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-asks-for-marys-protection-of-rome-against-coronavirus |title=Pope Francis Asks for Mary's Protection of Rome Against Coronavirus |website=National Catholic Register |date=12 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114957/https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-francis-asks-for-marys-protection-of-rome-against-coronavirus |url-status=live}}</ref> The pontiff reacted with displeasure on 13 March 2020 to the news that the Vicar General had closed all churches in the Diocese of Rome. Despite [[2020 Italy coronavirus lockdown|Italy being under a quarantine lockdown]], Francis pleaded "not to leave the ... people alone" and worked to partially reverse the closures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2020 |title=Rome reopens some churches to let people pray |url=https://www.romereports.com/en/2020/03/13/rome-reopens-some-churches-to-let-people-pray/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |website=Rome Reports}}</ref>

On 20 March 2020, 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.<ref>{{Cite news |title=We must think of the aftermath of COVID-19 so we are not unprepared |work=[[Vatican News]] |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-04/turkson-think-covid19-aftermath-to-not-be-unprepared.html |access-date=14 January 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110140954/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-04/turkson-think-covid19-aftermath-to-not-be-unprepared.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/vatican-covid-19.html |title=Vatican Covid-19 Commission – Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development |website=humandevelopment.va |access-date=14 May 2021 |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514022448/https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/vatican-covid-19.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 27 March, Francis gave an extraordinary benediction {{lang|la|[[Urbi et Orbi]]}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pope Francis to give extraordinary benediction urbi et orbi |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/199149-2/ |access-date=7 September 2020 |website=Catholic Herald |date=27 March 2020 |archive-date=15 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815144444/https://catholicherald.co.uk/199149-2/ |url-status=live |last1=Altieri |first1=Christopher R. }}</ref> In his homily on [[calming the storm]] in the [[Gospel of Mark]], Francis described the setting:

<blockquote>Dense darkness has thickened on our squares, streets and cities; it looks over our lives filling everything with a deafening silence and a desolate void that paralyzes everything in its passage: you can feel it in the air, you can feel it in your gestures. ...In the face of suffering, where the true development of our peoples is measured, we discover and experience the priestly prayer of Jesus: 'may all be one'.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 March 2020 |title=Papa Francesco prega nella piazza San Pietro vuota: 'Fitte tenebre si sono addensate, scenda la benedizione di Dio' |url=https://www.repubblica.it/vaticano/2020/03/27/news/_fitte_tenebre_si_sono_addensate_sulle_nostre_piazze_ma_scenda_su_tutti_la_benedizione_di_dio_-252483705/ |access-date=7 September 2020 |website=la Repubblica |language=it |archive-date=26 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526185235/https://www.repubblica.it/vaticano/2020/03/27/news/_fitte_tenebre_si_sono_addensate_sulle_nostre_piazze_ma_scenda_su_tutti_la_benedizione_di_dio_-252483705/ |url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

Francis maintained that getting [[COVID vaccination]] was a moral obligation.<ref>{{cite news |agency=The Associated Press |title=On COVID vaccinations, Pope says health care is a 'moral obligation' |publisher=NPR |date=10 January 2022 |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/01/10/1071785531/on-covid-vaccinations-pope-says-health-care-is-a-moral-obligation |archive-date=22 February 2025 |access-date=25 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222210305/https://www.npr.org/2022/01/10/1071785531/on-covid-vaccinations-pope-says-health-care-is-a-moral-obligation |url-status=live}}</ref> In response to the [[Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic|economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic]], Francis said that it was the time to consider implementing a [[Universal basic income|universal basic wage]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2020 |title=Pope calls for consideration of 'universal basic wage' for unprotected workers |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/pope-letter-popular-movements-universal-basic-wage.html |access-date=14 May 2022 |website=[[Vatican News]] |archive-date=16 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416093058/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/pope-letter-popular-movements-universal-basic-wage.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Death penalty===
Francis committed the [[Catholic Church and capital punishment|Catholic Church to support worldwide abolition of the death penalty]].<ref name="Brockhaus-2018">{{Cite web |last=Brockhaus |first=Hannah |date=2 August 2018 |title=Vatican changes Catechism teaching on death penalty, calls it 'inadmissible' |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/39033/vatican-changes-catechism-teaching-on-death-penalty-calls-it-inadmissible |access-date=2 August 2018 |website=[[Catholic News Agency]] |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802162744/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-changes-catechism-teaching-on-death-penalty-calls-it-inadmissible-28541 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Francis revised the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'' to read that "in the light of the [[Gospel]]" the death penalty is "inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and [[Human dignity|dignity of the person]]" and that the Catholic Church "works with determination for its abolition worldwide".<ref name="Brockhaus-2018" /><ref name="Harlan-2018">{{Cite news |last=Harlan |first=Chico |date=2 August 2018 |title=Pope Francis changes Catholic Church teaching to say death penalty is 'inadmissible' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-francis-changes-catholic-church-teaching-to-say-death-penalty-is-inadmissible/2018/08/02/0d69ef5e-9647-11e8-80e1-00e80e1fdf43_story.html |access-date=2 August 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802140910/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-francis-changes-catholic-church-teaching-to-say-death-penalty-is-inadmissible/2018/08/02/0d69ef5e-9647-11e8-80e1-00e80e1fdf43_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In his 2020 encyclical ''{{lang|la|[[Fratelli tutti]]}}'', Francis repeated that the death penalty was "inadmissible", and that "there can be no stepping back from this position."<ref name="Pentin-2020" />

On 9 January 2022, 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."<ref name="Pullella-2023">{{Cite news |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=9 January 2023 |title=Pope condemns Iran's use of death penalty against protesters |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-wars-like-that-ukraine-are-crime-against-god-humanity-2023-01-09/ |access-date=13 January 2023 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113070627/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-wars-like-that-ukraine-are-crime-against-god-humanity-2023-01-09/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Role of women===
{{See also|Women in the Catholic Church}}

Francis categorically rejected the [[ordination of women]] as priests.<ref name="Horowitz-2023"/> Early in his papacy, he initiated dialogue on the possibility of [[deaconesses]], creating in 2016 a [[Study Commission on the Women's Diaconate]] to research the role of female deacons in early Christianity.<ref>Daniel Burke and Holly Yan, [https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/02/world/pope-francis-female-deacons/index.html Pope Francis creates commission to study history of female deacons] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824200148/https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/02/world/pope-francis-female-deacons/index.html |date=24 August 2024}}, CNN (2 August 2016).</ref> Its report was not made public,<ref name=Dulle>Colleen Dulle, [https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/05/21/pope-francis-60-minutes-women-deacons-247995 Pope Francis says no to women deacons in '60 Minutes' interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824200148/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/05/21/pope-francis-60-minutes-women-deacons-247995 |date=24 August 2024}}, ''America'' (21 May 2024).</ref> but Francis said in 2019 that the commission was unable to come to a consensus.<ref name="SplitRpt">Joshua J. McElwee, [https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-women-deacons-commission-gave-split-report-their-role-early-church Francis: Women deacons commission gave split report on their role in early church] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731114105/https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-women-deacons-commission-gave-split-report-their-role-early-church |date=31 July 2022}}, ''National Catholic Reporter'' (7 May 2019).</ref> In April 2020, Francis empaneled a new commission, led by Cardinal [[Giuseppe Petrocchi]] with a new membership, to study the issue.<ref>Joshua J. McElwee, [https://www.ncronline.org/spirituality/francis-creates-new-women-deacons-commission-naming-entirely-different-membership Francis creates new women deacons commission, naming entirely different membership] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824200148/https://www.ncronline.org/spirituality/francis-creates-new-women-deacons-commission-naming-entirely-different-membership |date=24 August 2024}}, ''National Catholic Reporter'' (8 April 2022).</ref> Francis delayed a decision on the issue for several years.<ref name="Horowitz-2023"/> In interviews in late 2023 and 2024, he appeared to reject the idea of women deacons, saying that "[[Holy orders in the Catholic Church|holy orders]] is reserved for men."<ref name=CNA2023>{{cite news |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255804/pope-francis-on-women-deacons-holy-orders-is-reserved-for-men |title=Pope Francis on women deacons: 'Holy orders is reserved for men' |work=[[Catholic News Agency]] |date=25 October 2023 |access-date=25 October 2023 |first=Hannah |last=Brockhaus |location=Rome |archive-date=25 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025180217/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255804/pope-francis-on-women-deacons-holy-orders-is-reserved-for-men |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Dulle/> Francis said that "the fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation, because her place is much more important"<ref name=CNA2023/> and that women had a [[charism]] separate from "the ministerial way."<ref name=Dulle/>

In January 2021, Francis issued [[Spiritus Domini (Pope Francis)|Spiritus Domini]], allowing bishops to institute women to the ministries of [[acolyte]] and [[Reader (liturgy)|lector]]. While these instituted ministries were previously reserved to men, Catholic women already carried out these duties without institution in most of the world. Francis wrote that these [[Christian ministry|ministries]] are fundamentally distinct from those reserved to ordained clergy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lettera Apostolica in forma di Motu proprio, sulla modifica del can. 230 § 1 del Codice di Diritto Canonico circa l'accesso delle persone di sesso femminile al ministero istituito del Lettorato e dell'Accolitato (10 gennaio 2021) |author=Francesco |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiritus-domini.html |access-date=11 January 2021 |website=www.vatican.va |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111111539/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiritus-domini.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mares-2021">{{cite web |last=Mares |first=Courtney |date=11 January 2021 |title=Pope Francis admits women to ministries of lector and acolyte in new motu proprio |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/246027/pope-francis-admits-women-to-ministries-of-lector-and-acolyte-in-new-motu-proprio |access-date=11 January 2021 |website=Catholic News Agency |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111110515/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-admits-women-to-ministries-of-lector-and-acolyte-in-new-motu-proprio-41309 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 January 2021 |title=Pope Francis: Ministries of lector and acolyte to be open to women |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-opens-ministries-lector-acolyte-women.html |access-date=11 January 2021 |website=[[Vatican News]] |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111111255/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-opens-ministries-lector-acolyte-women.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, Francis appointed women to several positions previously held only by men: a French member of the [[Congregation of Xavières|Xaviere Missionary Sisters]], [[Nathalie Becquart]], was appointed co-undersecretary of the [[Synod of Bishops in the Catholic Church|Synod of Bishops]], and Italian magistrate [[Catia Summaria]] became the first woman Promoter of Justice in the Vatican's Court of Appeals.<ref name="NBC News-2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-appoints-more-women-vatican-posts-previously-held-only-n1256959 |title=Pope Francis appoints more women to Vatican posts previously held only by men |access-date=7 February 2021 |website=[[NBC News]] |date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207143436/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-appoints-more-women-vatican-posts-previously-held-only-n1256959 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2023, 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),<ref>{{cite news |access-date=26 April 2023 |work=New York Times |date=26 April 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/pope-women-vote-bishops-meeting.html |title=Pope Will Allow Women to Vote at Meeting of Bishops |first=Elisabetta |last=Povoledo |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426132515/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/pope-women-vote-bishops-meeting.html |url-status=live}}</ref> marking the first time women are allowed to vote at any Catholic Synod of Bishops.<ref name="Pullella-2023b">{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-allows-women-vote-bishops-meeting-first-time-2023-04-26/ |title=Pope allows women to vote at bishops meeting for first time |first=Philip |last=Pullella |work=Reuters |date=26 April 2023 |via=www.reuters.com |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004080936/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-allows-women-vote-bishops-meeting-first-time-2023-04-26/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Financial corruption===
Francis was mandated by electing cardinals to sort out Vatican finances following scandals during the papacies of Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul&nbsp;II. He stated he was determined to end corruption in the Catholic Church but was not very optimistic due to it being a human problem dating back centuries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 November 2020 |title=Pope shakes up running of Vatican funds after London property scandal |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-vatican-finances-idUKKBN27L1MO |access-date=18 December 2021 |archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204121223/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-vatican-finances-idUKKBN27L1MO |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Apologies toward Indigenous peoples===
Early in 2022, Francis expressed "shame and sorrow" for the Catholic Church's role in abuses against the [[Indigenous peoples in Canada]].<ref name=Neuman2022>Scott Neuman, [https://www.npr.org/2022/07/25/1113498723/pope-francis-apology-canada-residential-schools-indigenous-children The pope's apology in Canada was historic, but for some Indigenous people, not enough] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814015421/https://www.npr.org/2022/07/25/1113498723/pope-francis-apology-canada-residential-schools-indigenous-children |date=14 August 2024}}, NPR (25 July 2022).</ref><ref name="Horowitz-2022">{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=30 July 2022 |title=Francis Calls Abuse of Indigenous People in Canada a 'Genocide' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/world/americas/pope-francis-canada-genocide.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107101356/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/world/americas/pope-francis-canada-genocide.html |archive-date=7 November 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Late, in July 2022, Francis [[Visit by Pope Francis to Canada|made an apostolic journey]] to [[Catholic Church in Canada|Canada]], where he expressed sorrow, indignation, and shame over the church's abuse of Canadian Indigenous children in [[Canadian Indian residential school system|residential schools]].<ref name="CNN-2022">{{Cite web |date=25 July 2022 |title=Pope apologizes for 'deplorable evil' of Indigenous abuse in Canadian Catholic residential schools |website=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/25/americas/pope-francis-canada-speech-intl/index.html |access-date=25 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725213142/https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/25/americas/pope-francis-canada-speech-intl/index.html |archive-date=25 July 2022}}</ref> Francis described the [[Catholic Church in Canada|Canadian Catholic Church]]'s role as a "[[cultural genocide]]."<ref name="Horowitz-2022" /> He apologized for the church's role in "projects of cultural destruction" and forced [[Cultural assimilation of indigenous peoples|assimilation]].<ref name="CNN-2022" /> Near the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School, the site of a search for [[Canadian Indian residential school gravesites|unmarked graves]], Francis said: "I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples."<ref name=Neuman2022/> He visited the [[Ermineskin Cree Nation]]'s cemetery at its [[Ermineskin 138|Maskwacis reserve]].<ref name=Neuman2022/> Francis promised a serious investigation into the history of abuse.<ref name="CNN-2022" />

===Sexual abuse response===
{{Main|Catholic Church sexual abuse cases}}

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.<ref name="study"/> However, the [[Supreme Court of Argentina]] upheld the conviction and prison sentence against Grassi in March 2017.<ref name="study">{{Cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2018/09/18/popes-role-in-study-of-argentine-sex-abuse-case-draws-fire/ |title=Pope's role in study of Argentine sex abuse case draws fire |website=[[Crux (online newspaper)|Crux Now]] |publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC |location=Boston, Massachusetts |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-date=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427190340/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2018/09/18/popes-role-in-study-of-argentine-sex-abuse-case-draws-fire/}}</ref>

Early in his papacy, Francis chose a more lenient sentence for Mauro Inzoli, an Italian priest accused of child sexual abuse.<ref name=Ide2017>Ella Ide, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-defrocks-pedophile-priest-who-claimed-act-was-an-old-jewish-ritual/ Pope defrocks pedophile priest who claimed abuse was old Jewish ritual] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831145414/https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-defrocks-pedophile-priest-who-claimed-act-was-an-old-jewish-ritual/ |date=31 August 2024}}, ''Times of Israel'' (28 June 2017).</ref> A church tribunal had ruled that Inzoli should be [[Loss of clerical state|laicized]] (defrocked),<ref name=Pullella2017Admit>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Pullella |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-abuse/pope-candidly-admits-church-arrived-late-in-confronting-abuse-idUSKCN1BW22D |title=Pope candidly admits Church 'arrived late' in confronting abuse |work=[[Reuters]] |date=21 September 2017 |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329063008/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-abuse/pope-candidly-admits-church-arrived-late-in-confronting-abuse-idUSKCN1BW22D |url-status=live}}</ref> and he was defrocked in 2012 by Francis's predecessor Benedict.<ref name=Ide2017/> Francis, however, reversed this decision in 2014; Francis agreed with the [[bishop of Crema]] that Inzoli should remain a priest but be removed from public ministry and ordered to retire to "a life of prayer and humble discretion."<ref name=Ide2017/><ref name=Pullella2017Admit/> Inzoli was convicted of sexually abusing children in Italian civil court in 2016, and sentenced to prison.<ref name=Ide2017/> In unscripted remarks to the [[Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors]] in September 2017, Francis admitted that he mishandled the Inzoli case, saying that as a new pope, "I did not understand these things well and chose the more benevolent of the two sentences but after two years the priest had a relapse. I learned from this."<ref name=Pullella2017Admit/> In the same remarks, he commented that the church "arrived late" in dealing with sexual abuse cases.<ref name=Pullella2017Admit/>

In 2015, 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.<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephanie |last=Kirchgaessner |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/31/vatican-juan-barros-chile-bishop-appointment-sex-abuse |title=Vatican supports Chilean bishop despite allegations of sex abuse cover-up |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London, England |date=31 March 2015 |access-date=11 February 2017 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020182411/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/31/vatican-juan-barros-chile-bishop-appointment-sex-abuse |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Francis acknowledged he had made "grave errors" in judgment about Barros, apologized to the victims and launched a Vatican investigation that resulted in the resignation of three Chilean bishops: Barros, [[Gonzalo Duarte García de Cortázar|Gonzalo Duarte]], and [[Cristián Caro Cordero|Cristián Caro]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/06/11/618825779/pope-francis-accepts-resignations-of-3-bishops-over-chilean-abuse-scandal |title=Pope acknowledges 'grave errors' in Chilean sex abuse scandal |first=Bill |last=Chappell |website=[[NPR]] |date=11 June 2018 |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043845/https://www.npr.org/2018/06/11/618825779/pope-francis-accepts-resignations-of-3-bishops-over-chilean-abuse-scandal |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, Francis defrocked [[Theodore McCarrick]], a former [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington|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. In 2017, after renewed allegations against McCarrick, Francis commissioned a Vatican investigation, which found that McCarrick had sexually molested both adults and minors.<ref name=WinfieldNov2020>{{cite web |author=Nicole Winfield |title=Vatican faults others for McCarrick's rise, spares Francis |publisher=Associated Press News |date=10 November 2020 |url=https://apnews.com/article/theodore-mccarrick-vatican-investigation-0204b0d67e0685d658bae71cf558383a |access-date=30 August 2024 |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814203016/https://apnews.com/article/theodore-mccarrick-vatican-investigation-0204b0d67e0685d658bae71cf558383a |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2018, McCarrick resigned from the [[College of Cardinals]]; in October 2018, Francis ordered a review of the Church's "institutional knowledge and decision-making" related to McCarrick.<ref name=McCarrickReport>[https://www.vatican.va/resources/resources_rapporto-card-mccarrick_20201110_en.pdf Report on the Holy See's Institutional Knowledge and Decision-Making Related to Former Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick (1930 to 2017)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814000029/https://www.vatican.va/resources/resources_rapporto-card-mccarrick_20201110_en.pdf |date=14 August 2024}}, Prepared by the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, Vatican City State (10 November 2020).</ref> Francis authorized the release, in November 2020, of the report of the Vatican's two-year investigation into McCarrick's career.<ref name=McCarrickReport/><ref name=WinfieldNov2020/> The report largely faulted [[Pope John Paul&nbsp;II]], who appointed McCarrick as archbishop in 2000 and accepted the churchman's denials of sexual abuse, despite multiple reports.<ref name=WinfieldNov2020/> The report also found that [[Pope Benedict&nbsp;XVI]] placed informal restrictions on McCarrick, but these were never enforced, and Benedict did not investigate or formally sanction McCarrick even after he disregarded those restrictions.<ref name=WinfieldNov2020/> The report concluded that Francis, before 2017, "had heard only that there had been allegations and rumors related to immoral conduct with adults occurring prior to McCarrick's appointment to Washington" and continued the approach of his predecessors John Paul and Benedict.<ref name=WinfieldNov2020/>

Francis convened a summit on sexual abuse in February 2019, organized by [[Hans Zollner]]; some abuse survivors expressed disappointment that the summit did not result in concrete rules on abuse prevention, responses to abuse, and Church cooperation with law enforcement authorities.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ciara |last=Nugent |url=https://time.com/5540867/pope-francis-sex-abuse-summit-2/ |title=Why the Pope's Summit on Abuse Disappointed Some Survivors |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=28 February 2019 |access-date=17 November 2024 |archive-date=7 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107032143/https://time.com/5540867/pope-francis-sex-abuse-summit-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2019, Francis abolished the "[[pontifical secrecy]]" privilege in sexual abuse cases, clarifying that bishops do not need authorization from the Vatican to turn over materials from canonical trials upon request of civil law enforcement authorities.<ref name=Giangravé/><ref name=Chakraborty>{{cite web |author=Barnini Chakraborty |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/pope-francis-pontifical-secret-clergy-sex-abuse |title=Pope Francis lifts 'pontifical secret' in clergy sex abuse cases used to protect pedophiles, silence victims |work=[[Fox News]] |date=17 December 2017 |access-date=17 December 2019 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170645/https://www.foxnews.com/world/pope-francis-pontifical-secret-clergy-sex-abuse |url-status=live}}</ref> The lifting of the confidentiality rule was praised by victim advocates, but did not require the Church to affirmatively turn over canonical documents to civil authorities.<ref name=Giangravé/><ref name=Chakraborty/>

In November 2021, Francis thanked journalists for their work in uncovering child sexual abuse scandals in the church. He also thanked journalists for "helping us not to sweep it under the carpet, and for the voice you have given to the abuse victims".<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope thanks journalists for helping expose Church sex scandals |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-thanks-journalists-helping-expose-church-sex-scandals-2021-11-13/ |access-date=13 November 2021 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=13 November 2021}}</ref>

In November 2022, French Cardinal [[Jean-Pierre Ricard]] admitted to having sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in the 1980s in [[Marseille]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=11 November 2022 |title=Vatican to investigate French cardinal who abused 14-year-old girl |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/vatican-investigate-french-cardinal-who-abused-14-year-old-girl-2022-11-11/ |access-date=17 February 2023}}</ref> French authorities opened an investigation into the case while Francis commented that now that "everything is clearer [...] more cases like this shouldn't surprise [anyone]", and condemned sexual abuse as "against priestly nature, and also against social nature".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wimmer |first=AC |date=7 November 2022 |title=French cardinal confesses to sexual abuse |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252746/french-cardinal-confesses-to-sexual-abuse |access-date=17 February 2023 |website=Catholic News Agency |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217050141/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252746/french-cardinal-confesses-to-sexual-abuse |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Miguel |first1=Aura |title=Papa Francisco. Enfrentar abusos na Igreja "implica coragem e nem todos a têm" |trans-title=Pope Francis: Facing abuses in the Church "implies courage and not everybody has it" |url=https://rr.sapo.pt/noticia/religiao/2022/11/08/papa-francisco-enfrentar-abusos-na-igreja-implica-coragem-e-nem-todos-a-tem/307165/ |access-date=9 November 2022 |work=Sapo.pt |date=8 November 2022 |language=pt}}</ref> Francis did not deprive Ricard of his status and privileges as a cardinal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=De Neuville |first=Héloïse |date=27 September 2023 |title=Banned from public ministry, French cardinal could still vote in conclave |url=https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/banned-from-public-ministry-french-cardinal-could-still-vote-in-conclave/18410 |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=La croix international |archive-date=13 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250213180006/https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/banned-from-public-ministry-french-cardinal-could-still-vote-in-conclave/18410 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Pope Francis's visit to Ireland|Francis visited Ireland in 2018]], marking the first papal tour of the country since [[Visit by Pope John Paul II to Ireland|John Paul&nbsp;II's historic trip in 1979]].<ref>{{Cite news |first=Henry |last=McDonald |issn=0261-3077 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/28/pope-francis-to-visit-ireland-in-2018 |date=28 November 2016 |title=Pope Francis to visit Ireland in 2018 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London, England |access-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> He has apologized for sexual abuses by clergy in the United States and Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ortiz |first=Erik |date=20 August 2018 |title=Pope apologizes for priest sex abuse scandal with 'sorrow and shame' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/pope-francis/pope-francis-apologizes-catholic-priest-sex-abuse-scandal-sorrow-shame-n902121 |access-date=27 August 2018 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |location=New York City |archive-date=20 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520071959/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/pope-francis/pope-francis-apologizes-catholic-priest-sex-abuse-scandal-sorrow-shame-n902121 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The case of [[Slovenia]]n priest [[Marko Rupnik]], accused of psychological, spiritual, and sexual abuse against multiple women, including nuns, drew significant controversy due to the Vatican's handling of the allegations.<ref name="The Pillar-2022">{{Cite web |date=15 December 2022 |title=The complex case of Fr Marko Rupnik, explained |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-complex-case-of-fr-marko-rupnik-untangled |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=The Pillar |archive-date=13 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250213184843/https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-complex-case-of-fr-marko-rupnik-untangled |url-status=live}}</ref> Initially, the [[Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith]] (DDF) declined to prosecute, citing the statute of limitations, despite acknowledging there was a case to answer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=6 December 2022 |title=Jesuit artist has ministry cut; Vatican doesn't prosecute |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-europe-religion-statutes-vatican-city-8ce391f20d803ba3073de0e3352b2c20 |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=AP News |archive-date=13 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250213184838/https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-europe-religion-statutes-vatican-city-8ce391f20d803ba3073de0e3352b2c20 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rupnik was expelled from the Society of Jesus in 2023 for disobedience rather than for the abuse allegations and was later incardinated into the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Koper|Diocese of Koper]]. Following widespread public outcry, Pope Francis ordered the case to be reopened and re-examined. After his conviction, Rupnik preached in 2020 a [[Lent]]en meditation for priests working in the [[Roman Curia]], including Pope Francis and [[Luis Ladaria Ferrer]], and met privately with Pope Francis in January 2022.<ref name="The Pillar-2022" /> Criticism intensified after it was revealed that artwork by Rupnik remains in use by the Vatican, including in Pope Francis's personal residence, despite calls from Cardinal [[Seán Patrick O'Malley]], head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, for its removal. The controversy fueled broader scrutiny of the Vatican's response to clergy abuse cases and its commitment to transparency and justice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=19 December 2022 |title=Vatican investigator says claims of Jesuit abuse true |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-religion-scandals-27203a01c46a7f0e5d54616b8c30a7f9 |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Charles |date=26 January 2025 |title=Rupnik case casts shadow on Vatican's commitment to fight abuse |url=https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2025/01/rupnik-case-casts-shadow-on-vaticans-commitment-to-fight-abuse |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=Crux |archive-date=13 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250213184838/https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2025/01/rupnik-case-casts-shadow-on-vaticans-commitment-to-fight-abuse |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brockhaus |first=Hannah |date=27 October 2024 |title=Victims 'betrayed' as Vatican investigation of Rupnik hits 1 year |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260113/victims-feel-betrayed-as-vatican-investigation-of-rupnik-hits-one-year-with-no-answers |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=Catholic News Agency |archive-date=13 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250213184838/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260113/victims-feel-betrayed-as-vatican-investigation-of-rupnik-hits-one-year-with-no-answers |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2025, Cardinal [[Víctor Manuel Fernández]] confirmed the DDF was working to establish an independent tribunal to move forward with judicial proceedings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pentin |first=Edward |date=25 January 2025 |title=Cardinal Fernández: Father Rupnik Investigation Completed, Independent Tribunal Now Being Established |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/cardinal-fernandez-father-rupnik-spiritual-abuse |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=NCR |archive-date=25 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125155449/https://www.ncregister.com/news/cardinal-fernandez-father-rupnik-spiritual-abuse |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Theological emphases and teachings==
{{Main|Theology of Pope Francis}}

In ''{{lang|la|Evangelii gaudium}}'', Francis revealed what would be the emphases of his pontificate: a missionary impulse among all Catholics, sharing the faith more actively, avoiding worldliness by more visibly living the gospel of God's mercy, and helping the poor and working for [[Catholic social teaching|social justice]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |date=26 November 2013 |title=A summary of the key issues raised by Pope in Evangelii Gaudium |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/evangelii-gaudium-a-summary-of-the-key-issues-raised-by-pope/ |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=Catholic Herald |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307160342/https://catholicherald.co.uk/evangelii-gaudium-a-summary-of-the-key-issues-raised-by-pope/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Since 2016, criticism against Francis by theological conservatives had intensified.<ref name="Pepinster-2017">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/04/vatican-civil-war-conservatives-battle-francis-lent |title=Civil war in the Vatican as conservatives battle Francis for the soul of Catholicism |last=Pepinster |first=Catherine |author-link=Catherine Pepinster |date=4 March 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=5 March 2017 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413135449/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/04/vatican-civil-war-conservatives-battle-francis-lent |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Winfield-2017">{{cite news |url=https://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_REL_VATICAN_KNIGHTS_OF_MALTA |title=Conservative criticism intensifies against Pope Francis |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=4 February 2017 |access-date=4 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204115127/https://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_REL_VATICAN_KNIGHTS_OF_MALTA |archive-date=4 February 2017 |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref name="Schneider-2017">{{Cite news |url=https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/03/05/pope-francis-conservative-critics-may-right/ |title=How Pope Francis and his conservative critics may both be right |last=Schneider |first=Matthew |date=5 March 2017 |work=Crux |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426133043/https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/03/05/pope-francis-conservative-critics-may-right/}}</ref><ref name="Brown-2017">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/oct/27/the-war-against-pope-francis |title=The war against Pope Francis |last=Brown |first=Andrew |date=27 October 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=1 November 2017 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=8 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508220110/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/oct/27/the-war-against-pope-francis |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Willan-2017">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/anti-reform-cardinals-want-the-pope-to-quit-z3h75h22v |title=Anti-reform cardinals 'want the Pope to quit' |last=Willan |first=Philip |date=2 March 2017 |access-date=5 March 2017 |archive-date=5 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005123051/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/anti-reform-cardinals-want-the-pope-to-quit-z3h75h22v |url-status=live}}</ref> One commentator had described the conservative resistance against Francis as "unique in its visibility" in recent church history.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/13/world/pope-francis-at-five-years-bill-weir/index.html |title=Why Pope Francis scares some conservatives |first=Bill |last=Weir |work=[[CNN]] |access-date=2 September 2018 |archive-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902115753/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/13/world/pope-francis-at-five-years-bill-weir/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Some have explained the level of disagreement as due to his going beyond theoretical principles to pastoral discernment.<ref>{{cite web |last=Codina |first=Victor |date=12 September 2019 |title=Why do some Catholics oppose Pope Francis? |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/09/12/why-do-some-catholics-oppose-pope-francis |access-date=22 July 2020 |website=America Magazine}}</ref>

===Evangelization===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#The Church's mission|}}

From his first major letter ''{{lang|la|[[Evangelii gaudium]]}}'' (''Joy to the World''), Francis called for "a missionary and pastoral conversion" whereby the laity would fully share in the missionary task of the church.<ref name="National Catholic Reporter-2013" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope:-A-missionary-and-pastoral-conversion-for-a-Church-open-to-changing-its-structures-29645.html |title=Pope: A missionary and pastoral conversion for a Church open to changing its structures |work=AsiaNews.it |access-date=25 September 2019 |archive-date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925125919/https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope:-A-missionary-and-pastoral-conversion-for-a-Church-open-to-changing-its-structures-29645.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Then, in his letter on the call of all to the same holiness, ''{{lang|la|[[Gaudete et exsultate]]}}'', Francis describes holiness as "an impulse to evangelize and to leave a mark in this world".<ref>{{cite web |work=Aleteia |title=The pope's new doc on holiness: Gaudete et Exultate in 15 key words |date=9 April 2018 |url=https://aleteia.org/2018/04/09/the-popes-new-doc-on-holiness-gaudete-et-exultate-in-15-key-words/ |access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>

==={{Anchor|Ordination of women|Clergy}}Church governance===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Church governance|}}
[[File:Düsseldorf Rosenmontag 2014 IMG 1350 (12915484354).jpg|thumb|A Carnival float of Francis and Germany's prelate [[Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst]], Düsseldorf, 2014]]

Francis called for decentralization of governance away from Rome and for a synodal manner of decision-making in dialogue with the people.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 February 2016 |title=Church reform requires decentralization, synodality |url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/faith-and-justice/church-reform-requires-decentralization-synodality |access-date=3 October 2020 |website=National Catholic Reporter |archive-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023053155/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/faith-and-justice/church-reform-requires-decentralization-synodality |url-status=live}}</ref> He strongly opposed [[Theology of Pope Francis#Clericalism|clericalism]]<ref>{{cite web |date=4 January 2014 |title=Pope: Warns that Poorly Trained Priests Can Become 'Little Monsters' |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/pope-warns-poorly-trained-priests-can-become-little-monsters |access-date=3 October 2020 |website=America Magazine |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127103617/https://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/pope-warns-poorly-trained-priests-can-become-little-monsters |url-status=live}}</ref> and made [[Theology of Pope Francis#Roles for women|women]] full members of the church's dicasteries in Rome.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 July 2019 |title=Theologians praise pope's historic appointment of women as members of Vatican congregation |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/theologians-praise-popes-historic-appointment-women-members-vatican-congregation |access-date=25 September 2019 |website=National Catholic Reporter |archive-date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925141801/https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/theologians-praise-popes-historic-appointment-women-members-vatican-congregation |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Environment and climate change===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Environmentalism}}

Francis's naming was an early indication of how he shared Francis of Assisi's care for all of creation. This was followed in May 2015 with his major [[encyclical]] on the environment, ''{{lang|la|[[Laudato si']]}}'' (''Praise be to you'').<ref>{{cite web |last=Burton |first=Tara Isabella |date=11 July 2014 |title=Pope Francis's Radical Environmentalism |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/07/pope-franciss-radical-rethinking-of-environmentalism/374300/ |access-date=1 October 2020 |website=[[The Atlantic]] |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407084156/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/07/pope-franciss-radical-rethinking-of-environmentalism/374300/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2023, in advance of the [[2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] (COP28), Francis issued the [[apostolic exhortation]] ''{{lang|la|[[Laudate Deum]]}}'' (''Praise God''), in which he called for decisive action to against the [[climate crisis]] and condemned [[climate change denial]].<ref name="katholisch.de">{{cite web |title=Franziskus ruft zu raschen Maßnahmen gegen Erderwärmung auf "Laudate Deum" veröffentlicht: Papst kritisiert Klimaleugner |url=https://www.katholisch.de/artikel/47424-laudate-deum-veroeffentlicht-papst-kritisiert-klimaleugner |website=katholisch.de |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=25 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025160747/https://www.katholisch.de/artikel/47424-laudate-deum-veroeffentlicht-papst-kritisiert-klimaleugner |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Povoledo-2023">{{cite news |author-last1=Horowitz |author-last2=Povoledo |title=Francis Issues Urgent Call to Save a Planet Near 'the Breaking Point' |work=The New York Times |date=4 October 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/world/europe/pope-francis-letter-climate-change.html |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009223758/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/world/europe/pope-francis-letter-climate-change.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

At the 2017 [[World Food Day]] ceremony, Francis highlighted the daily impacts of climate change and the solutions provided by scientific knowledge. He pointed out that while the international community had established legal frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, some nations had been withdrawing. He then expressed concern over a renewed indifference to ecosystem balance, the belief in controlling limited resources, and a greed for profit.<ref name="Vatican_FAO_20171016">{{cite web |title=Visit of the Holy Father Francis to the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome for World Food Day |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/10/16/171016a.html |access-date=16 June 2019 |archive-date=16 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616161323/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/10/16/171016a.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, he stated that [[ecocide]] was a sin and should be made "a fifth category of crimes against peace".<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 September 2020 |title=Pope Supports Classifying 'Ecocide' as an International Crime |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/pope-supports-classifying-ecocide-as-an-international-crime/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616130655/https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/pope-supports-classifying-ecocide-as-an-international-crime/ |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=National Review}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 September 2020 |title=This movement wants to make harming the planet an international crime |url=https://www.theguardian.com/climate-academy/2020/sep/16/ecocide-environment-destruction-international-crime |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616130655/https://www.theguardian.com/climate-academy/2020/sep/16/ecocide-environment-destruction-international-crime |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2019 |title=Pope Francis: Catechism will be updated to define ecological sins |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/11/15/pope-francis-catechism-will-be-updated-define-ecological-sins |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616130654/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/11/15/pope-francis-catechism-will-be-updated-define-ecological-sins |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=America Magazine}}</ref>

In May 2024, Francis organized a climate summit that issued a Planetary Protocol for Climate Change Resilience including three pillars: greenhouse gas emissions reduction (while prioritizing [[nature-based solutions]]), [[climate change adaptation]], and societal transformation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planetary Protocol for Climate Change Resilience: A new way to navigate through the climate crisis |url=https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resources/planetary-protocol-for-climate-change-resilience-a-new-way-to-navigate-through-the-climate-crisis/ |website=Catholic Climate Covenant |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522164351/https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resources/planetary-protocol-for-climate-change-resilience-a-new-way-to-navigate-through-the-climate-crisis/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The next month, Francis issued an apostolic letter titled ''{{lang|la|Fratello sole}}'' (''Brother sun'', referring to Saint Francis' [[Canticle of the Sun]]), ordering the Vatican to construct an [[agrivoltaics]] facility on its land holdings on the outskirts of Rome, as a gesture of the Church towards the environmental movement.<ref name="Fratello Sole English text">{{cite web |title=Apostolic Letter issued "Motu Proprio" "Fratello Sole" by the Supreme Pontiff Francis |website=Vatican |date=21 June 2024 |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/motu_proprio/documents/20240621-fratello-sole.html |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>

==={{Anchor|Poverty|Liberation theology}}Option for the poor===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Option for the poor|Theology of Pope Francis#Capitalism|Theology of Pope Francis#Liberation theology}}
[[File:Pope Francis at Vargihna.jpg|thumb|Francis visits a [[favela]] in Brazil during [[World Youth Day 2013]]]]

Francis had highly extolled "popular movements" which demonstrate the "strength of us", serve as a remedy to the "culture of the self", and are based on solidarity with the poor and the common good.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/08/20/pope-says-popular-movements-are-antidote-to-populism/ |title=Pope says popular movements are antidote to populism |website=cruxnow.com |access-date=25 September 2019 |archive-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915093351/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/08/20/pope-says-popular-movements-are-antidote-to-populism/}}</ref> He had praised liberation theology founder [[Gustavo Gutierrez]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Esteves |first=Junno Arocho |date=11 June 2018 |title=Pope Francis praises founder of liberation theology |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/pope-francis-praises-founder-of-liberation-theology/ |access-date=13 August 2024 |website=Catholic Herald |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718143925/https://catholicherald.co.uk/pope-francis-praises-founder-of-liberation-theology/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope: Marxists and Christians have a common mission |url=https://english.katholisch.de/artikel/50230-pope-marxists-and-christians-have-a-common-mission |access-date=13 August 2024 |website=english.katholisch.de |language=de |archive-date=30 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830220040/https://english.katholisch.de/artikel/50230-pope-marxists-and-christians-have-a-common-mission |url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2024, Francis renewed calls for a universal basic income, as well as higher taxes on billionaires.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayer |first=Chloe |date=23 September 2024 |title=Pope Francis Warns World's Wealthy About 'Pure Greed' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/pope-francis-billionaires-universal-basic-income-rich-greedy-1957867 |work=Newsweek |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref>

==={{Anchor|Abortion|Contraception and family planning|Capital punishment and life imprisonment}}Morality===
{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Morality as a vehicle of God's mercy|Theology of Pope Francis#Sexual morality as Good News|Pope Francis and LGBTQ topics}}

Cardinal [[Walter Kasper]] had called mercy "the key word of his pontificate".<ref name="Ivereigh-2015"/>{{rp|31–32}} His papal motto ''{{lang|la|Miserando atque eligendo}}'' ("by having mercy and by choosing") contains a central theme of his papacy, God's mercy.<ref name="web.archive.org2">{{cite web |date=17 March 2013 |title=Pope Francis explains name, calls for church 'for the poor' – CNN.com |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317035923/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/vatican-new-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |archive-date=17 March 2013 |access-date=24 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Coat of Arms of Pope Francis |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/elezione/stemma-papa-francesco.html |access-date=1 October 2019 |website=The Holy See |archive-date=27 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427084627/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/elezione/stemma-papa-francesco.html |url-status=live}}</ref> While maintaining the Catholic Church's traditional teaching against abortion, Francis had referred to the "obsession" of some Catholics with a few issues such as "abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods" which "do not show the heart of the message of Jesus Christ".<ref name="Spadaro-2013">{{Cite news |last=Spadaro |first=Antonio |date=30 September 2013 |title=A Big Heart Open to God: An interview with Pope Francis |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2013/09/30/big-heart-open-god-interview-pope-francis |access-date=10 June 2017 |work=America Magazine |archive-date=8 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608063745/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2013/09/30/big-heart-open-god-interview-pope-francis |url-status=live}}</ref>

===LGBTQ===
{{Main|Pope Francis and LGBTQ topics}}

While serving as the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Buenos Aires|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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 July 2010 |title=Argentina legalises gay marriage |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/15/argentina-gay-lesbian-marriage-legalisation |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421090800/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/15/argentina-gay-lesbian-marriage-legalisation |url-status=live}}</ref> A letter he wrote in that campaign was criticized for using "medieval" and "obscurantist" language.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Romo |first1=Rafael |last2=Rodriguez |first2=Jose Manuel |last3=Shoichet |first3=Catherine E. |date=20 March 2013 |title=Behind closed doors, pope supported civil unions in Argentina, activist says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/20/world/americas/argentina-pope-civil-unions/index.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=[[CNN]] |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115161543/https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/20/world/americas/argentina-pope-civil-unions/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abrevaya |first=Sebastian |date=27 August 2012 |title="Se abroquelan para defender privilegios" |trans-title=They buckle up to defend privileges |url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elpais/1-201958-2012-08-27.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=[[Página 12]] |language=es |archive-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201135721/https://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elpais/1-201958-2012-08-27.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2013 |title="El pastor no puede ser un privilegiado, no me imagino a Jesús en el Vaticano" |trans-title=The pastor cannot be privileged: I cannot imagine Jesus in the Vatican |url=https://www.lacapital.com.ar/edicion-impresa/el-pastor-no-puede-ser-un-privilegiado-no-me-imagino-jesus-el-vaticano-n549566.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=[[La Capital]] |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115161543/https://www.lacapital.com.ar/edicion-impresa/el-pastor-no-puede-ser-un-privilegiado-no-me-imagino-jesus-el-vaticano-n549566.html |url-status=live}}</ref> A church source quoted in the Argentine newspaper ''[[La Nación]]'' called the letter a strategic error that contributed to the bill's success.<ref>{{Cite web |last=De Vedia |first=Mariano |date=16 July 2010 |title=La carta de Bergoglio, un error estratégico |trans-title=Bergoglio's letter: A strategic error |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad/la-carta-de-bergoglio-un-error-estrategico-nid1285258/ |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=[[La Nación]] |language=es |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018143929/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1285258-la-carta-de-bergoglio-un-error-estrategico |url-status=live}}</ref>

As Pope, Francis marked a more accommodative tone on some [[Outline of LGBTQ topics|LGBTQ topics]] than his predecessors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramirez |first=Marc |date=21 April 2025 |title='Who am I to judge?' With five words, Pope Francis set new tone for Catholic Church |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/03/02/pope-francis-lgbtq-issues-legacy-catholic-church/80338152007/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88 |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pope-francis-historys-first-latin-american-pontiff-dies-at-88 |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=PBS |archive-date=21 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421095223/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pope-francis-historys-first-latin-american-pontiff-dies-at-88 |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2013, his televised "Who am I to judge?" statement was widely reported in the international press, becoming one of his most famous statements on [[LGBTQ]] people.<ref name="Pullella-2016">{{Cite web |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=3 October 2016 |title=Pope says respect gays and transsexuals, questions gender theory |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-gender-idUSKCN1220WK/ |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref name="Pullella-2023a">{{Cite web |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=6 February 2023 |title=Pope Francis says laws criminalizing LGBT people are a 'sin' and an injustice |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-says-laws-criminalising-lgbt-people-are-sin-an-injustice-2023-02-05/ |access-date=16 January 2024 |website=[[Reuters]] |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115161743/https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-says-laws-criminalising-lgbt-people-are-sin-an-injustice-2023-02-05/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2018 |title=Pope Francis reportedly tells gay man: "God made you like this and he loves you" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-tells-gay-man-god-made-you-like-this/ |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=[[CBS News]] |archive-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205052129/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-tells-gay-man-god-made-you-like-this/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In other public statements, Francis emphasized the need to accept, welcome, and accompany LGBTQ people,<ref name="Spadaro-2013" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 October 2016 |title=In-flight press conference of His Holiness Pope Francis from Azerbaijan to Rome |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2016/october/documents/papa-francesco_20161002_georgia-azerbaijan-conferenza-stampa.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |publisher=[[Holy See]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bordoni |first=Linda |date=9 May 2022 |title=Pope to LGBT Catholics: 'God is Father who does not disown any of his children' |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-letter-fr-martin-lgtb-outreach-questions.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=[[Vatican News]] |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224171835/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-letter-fr-martin-lgtb-outreach-questions.html |url-status=live}}</ref> including LGBTQ children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2018 |title=Apostolic Visit to Ireland: Press Conference on the return flight from Dublin to Rome (Papal flight, 26 August 2018) |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2018/august/documents/papa-francesco_20180826_irlanda-voloritorno.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=[[Holy See]] |archive-date=23 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123135740/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2018/august/documents/papa-francesco_20180826_irlanda-voloritorno.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Catholic News Agency-2020">{{Cite web |date=21 October 2020 |title=Pope Francis calls for civil union law for same-sex couples, in shift from Vatican stance |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/46295/pope-francis-calls-for-civil-union-law-for-same-sex-couples-in-shift-from-vatican-stance |access-date=16 January 2024 |website=[[Catholic News Agency]] |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116194844/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/46295/pope-francis-calls-for-civil-union-law-for-same-sex-couples-in-shift-from-vatican-stance |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis reiterated traditional Catholic teaching that [[Marriage in the Catholic Church|marriage]] is between a man and a woman,<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 March 2014 |title=Transcript: Pope Francis' March 5 interview with Corriere della Sera |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/29153/transcript-pope-francis-march-5-interview-with-corriere-della-sera |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=[[Catholic News Agency]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Pope Francis |author-link=Pope Francis |date=19 March 2016 |title=Amoris laetitia |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=[[Holy See]] |pages=190–191}}</ref> but supported [[civil union]]s as legal protections for [[Same-sex relationship|same-sex couples]].<ref name="Catholic News Agency-2020" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2021 |title=Same-sex civil unions 'good and helpful to many', says Pope Francis |url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/09/16/same-sex-civil-unions-good-and-helpful-to-many-says-pope-francis |access-date=16 January 2024 |website=[[Euronews]]}}</ref> Under his pontificate, the [[Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith]] confirmed that transgender people can be baptised.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fernández |first1=Víctor Manuel |author-link=Víctor Manuel Fernández |last2=Francis |author-link2=Pope Francis |date=31 October 2023 |title=Answers to Several Questions from His Excellency, the Most Reverend José Negri, Bishop of Santo Amaro, Brazil, Regarding Participation in the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony by Transgender Persons and Homosexual Persons |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_20231031-documento-mons-negri_en.html |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=[[Holy See]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 November 2023 |title=Transgender people can be baptised and be godparents, Vatican says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67366198 |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> The blessing of individuals in same-sex relationships was allowed by the document {{Lang|la|[[Fiducia supplicans]]}}.<ref name="vatican.va" /> Francis privately met with many LGBTQ people and activists. In 2013, Francis was named Person of the Year by ''[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]]'', an American [[List of LGBTQ periodicals|LGBTQ magazine]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grindley |first=Lucas |date=16 December 2013 |title=The Advocate's Person of the Year: Pope Francis |url=https://www.advocate.com/year-review/2013/12/16/advocates-person-year-pope-francis |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]]}}</ref>

He described [[Gender studies|gender theory]] and children's education on [[gender-affirming surgery]] as "ideological colonization".<ref>{{Cite web |author=Pope Francis |author-link=Pope Francis |date=27 July 2016 |title=Apostolic Journey to Poland: Meeting with the Polish Bishops in the Cathedral of Kraków |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2016/july/documents/papa-francesco_20160727_polonia-vescovi.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=[[Holy See]]}}</ref><ref name="Pullella-2016" /> In September 2015, Francis met with [[Kim Davis]], a [[Municipal clerk|county clerk]] who was jailed for six days for [[contempt of court]] for refusing to issue [[marriage license]]s for same-sex couples,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bacon |first1=John |last2=Eversley |first2=Melanie |date=30 September 2015 |title=Vatican confirms pope met with Kim Davis |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/09/30/vatican-quiet-claim-pope-met-kim-davis/73078774/ |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Payne |first1=Ed |last2=Burke |first2=Daniel |date=2 October 2015 |title=Pope's meeting with Kim Davis not an endorsement, Vatican says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/02/us/kim-davis-pope/index.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> and in August 2018, Francis was criticized for suggesting that gay children seek [[Psychiatry|psychiatric treatment]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 August 2018 |title=Katholische Kirche: Vatikan ändert Papst-Zitate zur psychiatrischen Behandlung homosexueller Kinder |trans-title=Catholic Church: Vatican changes Pope's quotes on psychiatric treatment of homosexual children |url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/gesellschaft/queerspiegel/vatikan-andert-papst-zitate-zur-psychiatrischen-behandlung-homosexueller-kinder-3982726.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=[[Der Tagesspiegel]] |language=de-DE |issn=1865-2263}}</ref>

In a January 2023 interview with the [[Associated Press]], Francis denounced the [[criminalization of homosexuality]] (which he called "unjust"); he also called on the Catholic Church to "distinguish between a sin and crime" and asked bishops supporting such laws to reverse their position.<ref name="Staff-2023" /><ref name="Pullella-2023a" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 January 2023 |title=Pope Francis clarifies comments on homosexuality: "One must consider the circumstances." |url=https://outreach.faith/2023/01/pope-francis-clarifies-comments-on-homosexuality-one-must-consider-the-circumstances/ |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=[[Outreach Catholic|Outreach]]}}</ref> Francis repeated this stance the following month.<ref name="Pullella-2023a" />

===International policy===
Francis had regularly been accused by conservatives of having a "soft spot" for leftist populist movements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2020/02/24/pope-francis-wayward-shepherd/ |title=Pope Francis, Wayward Shepherd |last=Mahoney |first=Daniel |date=6 February 2020 |website=National Review |access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Raul-castro-papa-francisco.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Francis with [[Raúl Castro]], 2015]]
After Francis's visit to Cuba in 2015, Catholic Yale historian [[Carlos Eire]] said Francis had a "[[Option for the poor|preferential option]] for the oppressors" in Cuba.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2015/09/when-francis-came-to-cuba |title=When Francis Came to Cuba |last=Eire |first=Carlos |date=24 September 2015 |website=First Things |access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> Francis had expressed criticism towards [[right-wing populism]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/the-vaticans-authoritarian-friend/ |title=Why did Evo Morales find such favour at the Vatican? |last=De Souza |first=Raymond |date=28 November 2019 |website=Catholic Herald |access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> Since 2016, Francis had been contrasted with US president [[Donald Trump]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ivereigh |first=Austen |date=4 March 2017 |title=Is the Pope the Anti-Trump? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/04/opinion/sunday/is-the-pope-the-anti-trump.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304213826/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/04/opinion/sunday/is-the-pope-the-anti-trump.html |archive-date=4 March 2017 |department=Opinion |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=7 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="Lerer-2025" /> with some conservative critics drawing comparisons between the two.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schmitz |first=Matthew |date=19 February 2016 |title=What Donald Trump and Pope Francis actually have in common |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=Nash Holdings LLC |location=Washington, DC |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/02/19/what-donald-trump-and-pope-francis-actually-have-in-common |access-date=7 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Douthat |first=Ross |date=15 February 2017 |title=The Trump Era's Catholic Mirror |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/opinion/the-trump-eras-catholic-mirror.html |access-date=16 February 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> During the [[2016 United States presidential election]], Francis said of Trump, "A person who only thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian." Trump responded, "For a religious leader to question a person's faith is disgraceful."<ref name="Lauter-2016">{{cite news |last1=Lauter |first1=David |last2=Bierman |first2=Noah |date=18 February 2016 |title=Trump and Pope Francis clash over immigration, another extraordinary campaign twist |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pope-on-trump-wall-20160218-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620153341/https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pope-on-trump-wall-20160218-story.html |archive-date=20 June 2018 |access-date=20 April 2018 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

<!--[[File:Donald Trump Pope Francis Melania Trump in 2017.jpg|left|thumb|Francis with US president Donald Trump and First Lady [[Melania Trump|Melania]] in 2017]] too many images-->
In response to criticism from [[Episcopal Conference of Venezuela|Venezuela's bishops]], President [[Nicolás Maduro]] said in 2017 that he had the support of Francis.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Ines |last1=San Martin |url=https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/05/15/venezuelan-president-accuses-bishops-ignoring-pope-francis/ |title=Venezuelan president accuses bishops of ignoring Pope Francis |publisher=[[Crux (online newspaper)|Crux]] |date=15 May 2017 |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043959/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/05/15/venezuelan-president-accuses-bishops-ignoring-pope-francis/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=John Jr. |last1=Allen |url=https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/05/19/pope-francis-plan-venezuela-give-time-work/ |title=Pope Francis has a plan for Venezuela: Give it time to work |publisher=[[Crux (online newspaper)|Crux]] |date=19 May 2017 |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044644/https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2017/05/19/pope-francis-plan-venezuela-give-time-work/}}</ref> Francis met with the country's bishops in June 2017, and the Venezuelan bishops' conference president stated, "There is no distance between the episcopal conference and the Holy See."<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Cindy |last1=Wooden |url=https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/amid-nations-crisis-venezuelan-bishops-meet-pope.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608161205/https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/amid-nations-crisis-venezuelan-bishops-meet-pope.cfm |archive-date=8 June 2017 |title=Amid nation's crisis, Venezuelan bishops meet pope |publisher=Catholic News Service |date=8 June 2017 |access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> In January 2019, 20 former presidents in Latin America wrote a letter to Francis criticizing his Christmas address regarding the ongoing [[Crisis in Venezuela|Venezuelan crisis]] for being too simplistic and for not acknowledging what they believed to be the causes of the suffering of the victims of the crisis.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Frances |last1=Jenner |url=https://andestimes.com/latin-american-former-leaders-criticise-popes-christmas-message/2101/ |title=Latin American former leaders criticise Pope's Christmas message |work=Andes Times |date=10 January 2019 |access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> Francis had sought peace in the crisis without picking a side.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Nicole |last1=Winfield |first2=Juan |last2=Zamorano |url=https://apnews.com/4d5745dcd9114f78b5a6000e1dc1efde |title=Pope seeks peace in Venezuela crisis but doesn't pick sides |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=27 January 2019 |access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref>

====Position toward China====
Francis took a more conciliatory approach toward the [[People's Republic of China]] than any previous pope.<ref name=Rocca2024>{{cite news |author=Francis X. Rocca |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/05/pope-francis-catholic-church-china/678372/ |title=The Vatican's Gamble With Beijing Is Costing China's Catholics |newspaper=The Atlantic |date=May 2024}}</ref> He continued the [[Holy See–Taiwan relations|Vatican's longstanding diplomatic recognition of the Republic of China]] ([[Taiwan]]), [[One-China policy|rather than the People's Republic of China]]; Vatican City is one of [[Foreign relations of Taiwan|just 12 countries to formally recognize Taiwan]].<ref>Thomas Ching Wei Tu, [https://thediplomat.com/2024/03/china-taiwan-and-core-of-vatican-diplomacy/ China, Taiwan, and Core of Vatican Diplomacy], ''The Diplomat'' (9 March 2024).</ref><ref>Abhishank Mishra & Ananya Sharma, [https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-taiwan-vatican-conversion China-Taiwan, and a Vatican conversion], [[Lowy Institute]] (9 July 2024).</ref> In 2018, however, Francis approved a [[China–Holy See relations#2018 Holy See–China agreement|provisional Vatican-China agreement]] intended to normalize the situation of [[Catholic Church in China|China's Catholics]] who numbered approximately 10 million as of 2024.<ref name=Rocca2024/> Before, the Chinese government claimed the [[Appointment of Catholic bishops|authority to appoint bishops]], without papal approval, through the state-controlled [[Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association]], in contravention of longstanding church doctrine.<ref name=Rocca2024/> Under the 2018 agreement, the Vatican consults with the Chinese government on the appointment of bishops and pledged not to appoint any bishop in China without Beijing's approval;<ref name=Rocca2024/> in return, the Chinese government recognized the pope as the supreme head of the Catholic Church.<ref name=Pullella2022Church>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Pullella |date=26 November 2022 |title=Vatican says China violated pact on bishops, wants explanation |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/vatican-says-china-violated-pact-bishops-expresses-regret-2022-11-26/ |work=Reuters}}</ref> The agreement was renewed for two years in 2020.<ref name=MaresSantucci2023>Courtney Mares & Matthew Santucci, [https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254812/pope-francis-confirms-shanghai-bishop-appointed-in-violation-of-vatican-china-deal Pope Francis confirms Shanghai bishop appointed in violation of Vatican-China deal], Catholic News Agency (15 July 2023).</ref><ref name=Pullella2022Church/>

Francis's efforts toward rapprochement with China were highly controversial; a leading critic, Cardinal [[Joseph Zen]], said the 2018 agreement was a step toward the "annihilation" of the Catholic Church in China.<ref name=Rocca2024/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-asia-oceania/2018/10/cardinal-zen-the-vatican-is-badly-mishandling-china-situation/ |title=cardinal-zen-the-vatican-is-badly-mishandling-china-situation |date=26 October 2018 |website=cruxnow.com |access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://international.la-croix.com/news/cardinal-zen-targets-vatican-silence-on-china-hong-kong/11447 |title=Cardinal Zen targets Vatican silence on China, Hong Kong |newspaper=La Croix International |last=Sainsbury |first=Michael |date=9 December 2019 |access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> Critics said that the 2018 agreement "sold out" Chinese Catholics by accepting infringements on [[religious freedom]], undermining the Vatican's spiritual authority.<ref name=Pullella2022Church/><ref name=Rocca2024/>

The Chinese government repeatedly violated the 2018 deal with the Vatican.<ref name=Pullella2022Church/><ref>{{cite news |title=China Is Already Breaking Its Vatican Deal |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/17/china-francis-vatican/ |work=Foreign Policy |date=17 September 2020}}</ref> Francis had defended the Vatican's dialogue with China on the appointment of new bishops, saying in 2021 that uneasy dialogue was better than no dialogue at all.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Pope defends deal with China, says dialogue necessary |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/pope-defends-deal-with-china-says-dialogue-necessary-2021-09-01/ |access-date=1 September 2021 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=1 September 2021}}</ref> From the signing of the agreement until 2022, only six Catholic bishops in China were appointed.<ref name=Pullella2022Church/> In November 2022, the Vatican publicly accused China of violating the agreement by installing [[John Peng Weizhao]] as an [[auxiliary bishop]] without Vatican approval.<ref name=Pullella2022Church/> In April 2023, the Chinese government also installed [[Joseph Shen Bin]] as [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Shanghai|bishop of Shanghai]] without Vatican approval. Three months later, Francis recognized Shen Bin's appointment; the Vatican secretary of state, [[Pietro Parolin]], said that the pope wanted to "remedy the [[canonical irregularity]] created in Shanghai, in view of the greater good of the diocese and the fruitful exercise of the bishop's pastoral ministry."<ref name=MaresSantucci2023/> The Vatican and the Chinese government renewed the agreement in 2022 and again in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=22 October 2022 |title=Vatican confirms renewal of contested accord with China on bishops' appointments |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/vatican-confirms-renewal-contested-accord-with-china-bishops-appointments-2022-10-22/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022193426/https://www.reuters.com/world/china/vatican-confirms-renewal-contested-accord-with-china-bishops-appointments-2022-10-22/ |archive-date=22 October 2022 |access-date=22 October 2022 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McElwee |first=Joshua |date=22 October 2024 |title=Vatican and China Extend Deal over Catholic Bishop Appointments |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china-says-it-has-extended-agreement-with-vatican-bishops-2024-10-22/ |access-date=19 November 2024 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

In November 2020, Francis named China's [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]] minority among a list of the world's persecuted peoples. He wrote: "I think often of persecuted peoples: the [[Rohingya people|Rohingya]] [Muslims in Myanmar], the poor Uighurs, the [[Yazidi]]—what [[Islamic State|ISIS]] did to them was truly cruel—or Christians in Egypt and Pakistan killed by bombs that went off while they prayed in church." [[Zhao Lijian]], the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of China, said Francis's remarks had "no factual basis".<ref>{{cite news |title=China dismisses Pope Francis's comments about persecution of Uighurs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/25/china-dismisses-pope-franciss-comments-about-persecution-of-uighurs |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=25 November 2020}}</ref>

In 2019, during the [[2019–2020 Hong Kong protests|Hong Kong pro-democracy protests]], Francis was criticized by Zen and other Catholic clergy in Hong Kong for failing to take a stand against China's repression and instead being quoted as saying, "I would like to go to China. I love China." Francis compared the protests in Hong Kong to those seen [[2019–2021 Chilean protests|in Chile]] and in France.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Riordan |first1=Primrose |title=Hong Kong's Catholics defy Vatican over protests |url=https://www.ft.com/content/360bc752-f6ea-11e9-a79c-bc9acae3b654 |access-date=1 September 2021 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=5 December 2019}}</ref>

===Theological disagreements===
==== <span lang="la">''Amoris laetitia''</span> ====
On a theological level, controversy arose after the publication of the apostolic exhortation ''{{lang|la|[[Amoris laetitia]]}}'', especially regarding whether the exhortation had changed the Catholic Church's sacramental discipline concerning access to the [[Sacrament of Penance|sacraments of Penance]] and the [[Eucharist in the Catholic Church|Eucharist]] for divorced couples who have [[Civil marriage|civilly remarried]].<ref name="Oullet">Oullet, Marc (21 November 2017), [https://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/accompanying-discerning-integrating-weakness "Accompanying, Discerning, Integrating Weakness"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105200946/https://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/accompanying-discerning-integrating-weakness |date=5 January 2019}}, {{lang|fr|L'Osservatore Romano}}<span class="reference-accessdate">, retrieved <span class="nowrap">29 November</span> 2017</span></ref> Francis had written: "It is important that the divorced who have entered a new union should be made to feel part of the Church." He called for "a responsible personal and pastoral discernment of particular cases". He went on to say: "It is true that general rules set forth a good which can never be disregarded or neglected, but in their formulation they cannot provide absolutely for all particular situations."<ref name="Carroll">{{Cite news |last=Carroll |first=James |date=8 April 2016 |title=The New Morality of Pope Francis |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/new-morality-of-pope-francis-joy-of-love |access-date=28 September 2019 |issn=0028-792X}}</ref>

The exhortation had been implemented in different ways by bishops around the world.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Keenan |first=James |date=1 March 2017 |title=Receiving 'Amoris Laetitia' |journal=Theological Studies |volume=78 |issue=1 |pages=193–212 |doi=10.1177/0040563916681995 |issn=0040-5639 |s2cid=171761624 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In July 2017, a group of conservative clergy, academics, and laymen signed a document labeled as a "[[Correctio filialis de haeresibus propagatis|Filial Correction]]" of Francis,<ref name="cnn" /> which criticized the Pope for promoting what it described as seven heretical propositions through various words, actions, and omissions during his pontificate.<ref name="Correctio filialis de haeresibus propagatis">{{cite web |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5FGuFFkfrDvME5seVJ3TkhrRkU/view?usp=embed_facebook |title="Filial Correction" of Pope Francis, 24 September 2017 |website=Google Docs}}</ref>

====''Document on Human Fraternity''====

The ''[[Document on Human Fraternity]] for World Peace and Living Together'' is a joint statement signed by Francis and [[Ahmed el-Tayeb]], [[Grand Imam of Al-Azhar]], on 4 February 2019. This statement is concerned with how different faiths can live peaceably in the same areas; it later inspired the [[International Day of Human Fraternity]], as acknowledged by the UN Secretary-General [[António Guterres]].<ref name="first-ever">{{cite web |title=First-ever International Day of Human Fraternity focuses on tolerance |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1083832 |access-date=3 February 2022 |website=United Nations |date=4 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Secretary-General's message for 2022: International Day of Human Fraternity |url=https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-fraternity/messages |access-date=3 February 2022 |website=United Nations}}</ref> Criticisms focused particularly on the passage about God's will with regard to the diversity of religions, claiming that the "pluralism and the diversity of religions, colour, sex, race and language are willed by God in His wisdom, through which He created human beings".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pope Francis |last2=Al-Tayyeb |first2=Ahmad |date=4 February 2019 |title=Document on "Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together" signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahamad al-Tayyib (Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019) |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2019/outside/documents/papa-francesco_20190204_documento-fratellanza-umana.html |access-date=13 June 2020 |website=w2.vatican.va}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds-2019">{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Gabriel |date=12 April 2019 |title=After Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/after-abu-dhabi |access-date=13 June 2020 |website=Commonweal Magazine}}</ref> Catholic theologian Chad Pecknold wrote that this sentence was "puzzling, and potentially problematic".<ref name="Farrow-2019">{{cite web |last=Farrow |first=Mary |date=4 February 2019 |title=Pope Francis signs peace declaration on 'Human Fraternity' with Grand Imam |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/40483/pope-francis-signs-peace-declaration-on-human-fraternity-with-grand-imam |access-date=13 June 2020 |website=Catholic News Agency}}</ref> Some Catholic observers tried to understand it as an allusion to the "permissive will" of God, allowing evil on earth.<ref name="Reynolds-2019" /> Pecknold wrote that the diversity of religions might also be "evidence of our natural desire to know God".<ref name="Farrow-2019" /> Bishop [[Athanasius Schneider]] claims that Pope Francis clarified to him that he was referring to "the permissive will of God".<ref>{{cite web |last=Gabriel |first=Pedro |url=https://wherepeteris.com/pluralism-and-the-will-of-god-is-there-another-way-to-look-at-it/ |title=Pluralism and the will of God... is there another way to look at it? |publisher=Where Peter Is |date=12 March 2019 |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref>

====<span lang="la">''Traditionis custodes''</span> and the Tridentine Mass====

In July 2021, Francis issued ''{{lang|la|[[motu proprio]]}}'', the [[Ecclesiastical letter#Letters of the popes in modern times|apostolic letter]] titled ''{{lang|la|[[Traditionis custodes]]}}'', which reversed the decision of his predecessor Benedict&nbsp;XVI in ''{{lang|la|[[Summorum Pontificum]]}}'' and imposed new restrictions on the use of the [[Tridentine Mass|Traditional Latin Mass]]. The letter returned to the bishops the power to grant or ban the Latin Mass in their dioceses, and required newly ordained priests to request permission before performing the old rite, among other changes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pope Francis renews restrictions on old Latin Mass, reversing Benedict&nbsp;XVI |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pope-francis-latin-mass/2021/07/16/5fe7238e-e638-11eb-88c5-4fd6382c47cb_story.html |access-date=19 July 2021 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref name="Horowitz-2021">{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=16 July 2021 |title=Pope Francis Restricts Use of Old Latin Mass, in a Blow to Conservatives |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/world/europe/pope-francis-old-latin-mass.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/world/europe/pope-francis-old-latin-mass.html |archive-date=28 December 2021 |url-access=limited |access-date=19 July 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''{{lang|la|Traditionis custodes}}'' had been criticized by prelates including cardinals [[Raymond Leo Burke]], [[Gerhard Ludwig Müller]], and [[Joseph Zen]], and many lay faithful. Edwin Pentin wrote in ''[[National Catholic Register]]'' that "The most general criticism is that the restrictions are unnecessary, needlessly harsh, and implemented in an unjustifiably swift fashion."<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentin |first=Edward |title=Latin Mass Society: 'Traditionis Custodes' Regulates Not Abrogrates Older Liturgy |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/latin-mass-society-traditionis-custodes-regulates-not-abrogrates-older-liturgy |access-date=23 July 2021 |publisher=National Catholic Register |date=22 July 2021}}</ref>

====<span lang="la">''Fiducia supplicans''</span>====

In December 2023, the [[Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith]] issued a declaration, ''{{lang|la|[[Fiducia supplicans]]}}'', approved by Francis.<ref name="vatican.va">{{Cite web |title=Declaration Fiducia Supplicans On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings (18 December 2023) |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_en.html |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=vatican.va}}</ref> ''{{lang|la|Fiducia supplicans}}'' intended to provide clarification and reforms on the Catholic Church's treatment of "irregular relationships", defined as those who establish a [[Monogamy|monogamous]] and emotional bond that lasts over time and have not contracted a Catholic marriage. Notably, it allows [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Catholic priests]] to perform "spontaneous blessings" of same-sex couples, as well as opposite-sex couples who are not married, and civilly married couples at least one party of which was previously divorced but had not received an [[Annulment (Catholic Church)|annulment]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2023 |title=Doctrinal declaration opens possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-12/fiducia-supplicans-doctrine-faith-blessing-irregular-couples.html |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=[[Vatican News]]}}</ref>

''{{lang|la|Fiducia supplicans}}'' sparked considerable controversy among Catholics, including from several conservative commentators, clerical congregations, and high-profile cardinals, bishops, priests, and lay people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pentin |first=Edward |date=18 January 2024 |title=Marking One Month of 'Fiducia Supplicans': Opposition Shows No Signs of Abating |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/marking-one-month-of-fiducia-supplicans-opposition-shows-no-signs-of-abating |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=[[National Catholic Register]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=4 January 2024 |title=Vatican Defends Gay Blessings, but Offers Critics Some Leeway |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/04/world/europe/vatican-pope-lgbtq-blessings.html |access-date=22 January 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coppen |first=Luke |date=19 December 2023 |title='Fiducia supplicans': Who's saying what? |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/fiducia-supplicans-whos-saying-what |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=The Pillar}}</ref> Cardinal [[Gerhard Ludwig Müller]] called it "sacrilegious and blasphemous" and "self-contradictory".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Müller |first=Gerhard |title=Müller: Blessings for gay couples are blasphemous |url=https://newdailycompass.com/en/mueller-blessings-for-gay-couples-are-blasphemous |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=newdailycompass.com}}</ref> Cardinal [[Robert Sarah]] described the blessing of couples in irregular situations as "a heresy that seriously undermines the Church".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quiñones |first=Kate |title=Cardinal Sarah speaks out against clergy blessing same-sex unions |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256481/cardinal-sarah-speaks-out-against-clergy-blessing-same-sex-unions |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Catholic News Agency}}</ref> On 11 January 2024, Cardinal [[Fridolin Ambongo Besungu]] announced that all episcopal conferences in Africa, represented in [[Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar|SECAM]], would reject blessings for same-sex couples, stating that "the extra-liturgical blessings proposed in the declaration...cannot be carried out in Africa without exposing themselves to scandals".<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 January 2024 |title=African bishops reject same-sex blessings en masse |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/schism-looms-as-african-bishops-reject-same-sex-blessings-document-en-masse/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Catholic Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 January 2024 |title=Africa's Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God's will |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/11/vatican-lgbtq-blessing-africa-france/9a428208-b09d-11ee-9a32-5c9e6aa28b3b_story.html |access-date=22 January 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

==International diplomatic role==
[[File:Pope Francis Travels.svg|thumb|Map indicating [[List of pastoral visits of Pope Francis outside Italy|countries visited by Francis as pope]]]]
[[File:Pope Francis and Sergio Mattarella 2022.jpg|thumb|right|Pope Francis with Italian president [[Sergio Mattarella]] in 2022]]

===Cuba===
When Francis was archbishop of Buenos Aires, he authored a text entitled "Dialogues Between John Paul&nbsp;II and Fidel Castro".<ref name="Wilkinson, Pope will visit Cuba" /> John Paul was the first pope to visit Cuba. After a meeting between Francis and Cuban leader [[Raúl Castro]] in May 2015, Castro said that he was considering returning to the Catholic Church.<ref name="Catholic Cuba">{{cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Eliott C. |date=14 May 2015 |title=Raul Castro may join Catholic Church, he says after Pope Francis meeting |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/10/europe/italy-raul-castro-pope-francis-meeting/ |access-date=3 June 2015 |work=[[CNN]] |location=Atlanta, Georgia}}</ref> He said in a televised news conference, "I read all the speeches of the pope, his commentaries, and if the pope continues this way, I will go back to praying and go back to the [Catholic] church."<ref name="Yardley-2015">{{cite news |last=Yardley |first=Jim |date=10 May 2015 |title=Praising Pope, Cuban President Says He might return to church |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510224154/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html |archive-date=10 May 2015 |access-date=27 October 2018 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |location=New York City |page=A4}}</ref>

As pope, Francis played a key role in the talks toward restoring [[Cuban Thaw|full diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba]], announced on 17 December 2014.<ref name="Bridge to Cuba">{{cite news |first1=Paul |last1=Richter |first2=Tom |last2=Kington |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-todays-paper-20141219-htmlstory.html |title=Bridge to Cuba Via Vatican |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=19 December 2014 |access-date=27 October 2018}}</ref> The Pope, along with the [[Government of Canada]], was a behind-the-scenes broker of the agreement, taking the role following President Obama's request during his visit to the Pope in March 2014.<ref>{{cite news |first=Barbie Latza |last=Nadeau |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/17/the-pope-s-diplomatic-miracle-ending-the-u-s-cuba-cold-war.html |title=The Pope's Diplomatic Miracle: Ending the U.S.–Cuba Cold War |website=[[The Daily Beast]] |publisher=[[IAC (company)|IAC]] |location=New York City |date=17 December 2014 |access-date=18 December 2014}}</ref> The success of the negotiations was credited to Francis because "as a religious leader with the confidence of both sides, he was able to convince the Obama and Castro administrations that the other side would live up to the deal".<ref name="Bridge to Cuba" /> En route to the United States for a [[2015 visit by Pope Francis to North America|visit in September 2015]], the Pope stopped in Cuba.<ref name="Wilkinson, Pope will visit Cuba">{{cite news |first=Tracy |last=Wilkinson |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-pope-cuba-20150422-story.html |title=Pope Francis to stop in Cuba en route to U.S., Vatican announces |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |location=Los Angeles, California |date=22 April 2015 |access-date=29 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730034810/https://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-pope-cuba-20150422-story.html |archive-date=30 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Israeli–Palestinian conflict ===
[[File:Pope Francis visit Bethlehem.jpg|thumb|Francis in [[Bethlehem]] in May 2014]]

In May 2014, Francis visited [[Israel]] and the [[Palestinian territories]].<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Willey |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27469349 |title=Pope Francis to tread careful path on Mid-East visit |website=[[BBC News]] |location=London, England |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref><ref name=Sales>Ben Sales, [https://www.jta.org/2014/05/27/israel/in-mideast-visit-pope-francis-makes-symbolic-gestures-to-both-sides In Mideast visit, Pope Francis makes symbolic gestures to both sides], Jewish Telegraphic Agency (27 May 2014).</ref> Francis offered symbolic gestures to both sides in the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]].<ref name=Sales/> In addition to visiting the [[Western Wall]], [[Yad Vashem]], and the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre]], he became the first pope to visit the [[Mount Herzl|grave of Theodor Herzl]], entered the [[West Bank]] from Jordan rather than Israel, and invited [[Palestinian Authority]] president [[Mahmoud Abbas]] and Israeli president [[Shimon Peres]] to a prayer summit at the Vatican—both accepted.<ref name=Sales/> He also visited [[Bethlehem]], where he gave a speech alongside Abbas, and celebrated Mass at the [[Church of the Nativity]].<ref name=Sales/> At the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]], he visited the [[Victims of Acts of Terror Memorial]]; at the invitation of Palestinian authorities, he prayed at a portion of the [[Israeli West Bank barrier]].<ref name=Sales/> In addition to meetings with Peres and Netanyahu, Francis met [[Grand Mufti of Jerusalem]] [[Muhammad Ahmad Hussein]], Chief Rabbis [[Yitzhak Yosef]] and [[David Lau]], and [[Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Places]] [[Shmuel Rabinowitz]].<ref name=Sales/>

In May 2015, Francis welcomed Abbas to the Vatican and said that: "The angel of peace destroys the evil spirit of war. I thought about you: may you be an angel of peace."<ref>{{cite news |first=Edward |last=Pentin |url=https://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/the-pope-mahmoud-abbas-and-the-angel-of-peace |title=The Pope, Mahmoud Abbas, and the 'Angel of Peace' |newspaper=[[National Catholic Register]] |publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners LLC |location=Boston, Massachusetts |date=18 May 2015 |access-date=18 May 2015}}</ref> The Vatican signed a treaty [[International recognition of the State of Palestine|recognizing the state of Palestine]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/vatican-signs-treaty-recognizing-state-of-palestine/ |title=Vatican signs treaty recognizing State of Palestine |date=26 June 2015 |newspaper=[[The Times of Israel]] |access-date=2 August 2015}}</ref> The Vatican issued statements concerning the hope that peace talks could resume between Israel and Palestine. Abbas's visit was on the occasion of the canonization of two Palestinian nuns.<ref>{{cite news |first=Elisabetta |last=Povoledo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/europe/in-vatican-abbas-is-praised-as-angel-of-peace.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517035411/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/world/europe/in-vatican-abbas-is-praised-as-angel-of-peace.html |archive-date=17 May 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=At Vatican, Abbas is Praised as 'Angel of Peace' |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=17 May 2015}}</ref>

On 13 May 2015, Vatican City announced the intention to sign its first treaty with the [[State of Palestine]] after formally recognizing it as a state in February 2013.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 May 2015 |title=Vatican to sign State of Palestine accord |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/13/vatican-to-sign-state-of-palestine-accord |work=the Guardian}}</ref>

In May 2021, amid [[2021 Israel–Palestine crisis|clashes in Jerusalem]], Francis reiterated calls for peace between Israel and Palestinians during his ''{{lang|la|[[Regina caeli]]}}'' address.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mares |first=Courtney |date=11 May 2021 |title=Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says violence requires 'an urgent intervention' |work=[[Catholic News Agency]] |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247617/latin-patriarchate-of-jerusalem-says-violence-requires-an-urgent-intervention}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Gerard |date=9 May 2021 |title=Pope Francis calls for an end to clashes in Jerusalem |work=[[America Magazine]] |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/05/09/pope-francis-clashes-jerusalem-violence-holy-land-peace-israel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509144945/https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/05/09/pope-francis-clashes-jerusalem-violence-holy-land-peace-israel |archive-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>

Francis condemned the [[October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel|Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023]] and also criticized Israel's actions in the [[Gaza Strip]] during the subsequent [[Gaza war]], saying that "terror should not justify terror" and describing Israel's airstrikes as "cruelty, this is not war."<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2024 |title='Double standards' from pope, 'singling out' Jews, Israeli government says |url=https://www.jns.org/double-standards-from-pope-singling-out-jews-israeli-government-says/ |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=JNS}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dispute erupts over whether pope called Gaza situation a 'genocide' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-says-conflict-between-israel-hamas-has-gone-beyond-war-terrorism-2023-11-22/ |work=Reuters |date=22 November 2023}}</ref> He condemned the killing of two [[Palestinian Christians|Palestinian Christian]] women by an [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] sniper in Gaza, calling it "terrorism".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=17 December 2023 |title="It is Terrorism": Pope Francis Denounces Killing of Two Christian Women in Gaza |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/pope-francis-israel-gaza-deaths |access-date=19 December 2023 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref> Throughout the war, Francis had called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all [[Gaza war hostage crisis|hostages]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Armellini |first=Alvise |title=Pope Francis, in Easter address, calls for Gaza ceasefire |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-easter-address-calls-gaza-ceasefire-2024-03-31/ |work=Reuters |date=31 March 2024}}</ref> and the implementation of a [[two-state solution]].<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Gerard |title=Pope Francis: No peace in Israel and Palestine without two-state solution |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/01/29/pope-francis-israel-palestine-two-state-solution-247038 |work=America Magazine |date=29 January 2024}}</ref> In November 2024, Pope Francis suggested that the international community should investigate if Israel's campaign in Gaza is a [[Gaza genocide|genocide]] of the Palestinian people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 November 2024 |title=Pope Francis Suggests International Study into Possible Genocide in Gaza |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/pope-francis-suggests-international-study-into-possible-genocide-gaza-2024-11-17/ |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> From October 2023 until the day he died, he spoke with the [[Holy Family Church, Gaza|only Catholic church]] in the Gaza Strip every night.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2025 |title=Gaza's Christians 'heartbroken' after death of Pope Francis who phoned them nightly |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-palestine-gaza-israel-ceasefire-christians-b2737062.html |access-date=22 April 2025 |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope Francis phoned Gaza's only Catholic church 'every day' - as priest reveals details of last call |url=https://news.sky.com/story/pope-francis-phoned-gazas-only-catholic-church-every-day-as-priest-reveals-details-of-last-call-13353447 |access-date=22 April 2025 |website=Sky News}}</ref> In his last public appearance he again called for a ceasefire and condemned the "deplorable humanitarian situation" in Gaza.<ref name="AP News-2025">{{Cite web |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope's frequent calls to a Catholic church made him a revered figure in war-battered Gaza |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-israel-hamas-war-gaza-31f1755f8426ec81cb07b29bff3db70e |access-date=22 April 2025 |website=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2025 |title=In brief Easter appearance at Vatican, Pope Francis urges Gaza ceasefire |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/20/in-brief-easter-appearance-at-vatican-pope-francis-urges-gaza-ceasefire |website=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

===Migrant and refugee issues===
[[File:Korea Pope Francis Arrive Seoul Airport 03.jpg|thumb|Francis with South Korean president [[Park Geun-hye]], 14 August 2014]]

Francis made the plight of refugees and migrants "a core component of his pastoral work" and had defended their rights in [[Theology of Pope Francis#Refugees and migrants|dialogue both with Europe and with the United States]]. In 2019, he placed a statue in [[St.&nbsp;Peter's Square]] to bring attention to the Christian imperative involved in their situation (Hebrews 13:2).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-wall-idUSKBN15N1ZW |title=Don't build walls, Pope Francis says |date=8 February 2017 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Friedman |first=Uri |date=16 April 2016 |website=[[The Atlantic]] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/04/refugees-pope-francis-lesbos/477870/ |title='The Globalization of Indifference': How Pope Francis Sees the Refugee Crisis |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New Vatican Statue Proclaims Pope Francis' Concern For Refugees |date=1 October 2019 |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/angels-unaware-statue-pope-francis_n_5d93bf92e4b0ac3cddb05a56 |first=Carol |last=Kuruvilla |website=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> In line with this policy, Francis had criticized neo-nationalists and [[populists]] who reject the acceptance of refugees.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 August 2019 |title=Pope says popular movements are 'antidote' to populism |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/08/pope-says-popular-movements-are-antidote-to-populism/ |access-date=20 June 2021 |website=Crux}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Momigliano |first=Anna |date=23 May 2017 |title=Catholic Populists Have to Respect the Pope, but They Love Trump |website=[[The Atlantic]] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/05/catholic-populists-trump-pope-francis-vatican/527766/ |access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref>

In April 2016, Francis, along with [[Bartholomew I of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew]] and [[Ieronymos II of Athens|Archbishop Ieronimos&nbsp;II of Athens]], visited the [[Moria refugee camp]] on the Greek island of [[Lesbos]] in order to call the attention of the world to the [[2015 European migrant crisis]]. There, the three Christian leaders signed a joint declaration.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2016/apr/16/pope-francis-europe-visits-lesbos-in-pictures |title=Pope Francis visits Lesbos |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London, England |date=16 April 2016 |access-date=27 October 2018}}</ref>

In February 2025, following the election to a second term of US president Donald Trump there were mass deportations and swingeing cuts to international aid by the new administration, defended by Vice President [[JD Vance]], a Catholic, by recasting the Catholic idea of {{lang|la|[[ordo amoris]]}} (the right ordering of one's love) as a justification for nativism. Francis wrote what had been described as "an extraordinary and excoriating response to US bishops". He cited the [[parable of the Good Samaritan]], described the {{lang|la|ordo amoris}} as the love that "builds a fraternity open to all, without exception" and criticized 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".<ref>{{cite news |title=The Guardian view on Pope Francis: protecting a progressive legacy |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 March 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/17/the-guardian-view-on-pope-francis-protecting-a-progressive-legacy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Letter of the Holy Father to the Bishops of the United States of America |author=Pope Francis |publisher=Vatican |date=10 February 2025 |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2025/documents/20250210-lettera-vescovi-usa.html}}</ref>

===Sovereign Military Order of Malta===
[[File:Wizyta w Watykanie (42556254741).jpg|thumb|Francis with Polish prime minister [[Mateusz Morawiecki]] and his family, Vatican City, June 2018]]

In January 2017, Francis demanded the resignation of [[Matthew Festing]], the 79th [[List of Princes and Grand Masters of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta|Prince and Grand Master]] of the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Fra' Matthew Festing convenes a Sovereign Council to formalise his resignation from the office of Grand Master |url=https://www.orderofmalta.int/news/fra-matthew-festing-convenes-a-sovereign-council-to-formalise-his-resignation-from-the-office-of-grand-master/ |date=25 January 2017 |website=Sovereign Military Order of Malta}}</ref> The Pope's demand was a response to Festing and Cardinal [[Raymond Leo Burke]] dismissing Baron [[Albrecht von Boeselager]] from his position in the Order of Malta. Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was appointed leader in May 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/ancient-order-malta-faces-era-change-interim-leader-elected |title=Ancient Order of Malta faces era of change as interim leader is elected |author=Josephine McKenna |date=1 May 2017 |newspaper=[[National Catholic Reporter]] |access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

===Russia and Ukraine===
[[File:21.06.2023 - Franciscus and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (shaking hands).jpg|thumb|Francis and Brazilian president [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]], in 2023]]

Following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], a major escalation of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]], Francis visited the Russian embassy in Rome, an unprecedented action.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-unprecedented-move-pope-makes-personal-appeal-in-remarkable-russia-embassy-visit/ |title=In unprecedented move, Pope makes personal appeal in remarkable Russia embassy visit |work=[[Times of Israel]] |access-date=26 February 2022 |date=26 February 2022 |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226034527/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-unprecedented-move-pope-makes-personal-appeal-in-remarkable-russia-embassy-visit/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He called Ukrainian president [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] to express "sorrow" as the Vatican worked to find "room for negotiation" to end the war.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/ukraines-president-zelensky-tweets-thanks-popes-call-support |title=Ukraine's President Zelensky tweets thanks for pope's call of support |last=White |first=Christopher |date=26 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=[[National Catholic Reporter]] |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227001711/https://www.ncronline.org/news/ukraines-president-zelensky-tweets-thanks-popes-call-support}}</ref> The day after the invasion began in February 2022, Francis assured [[Sviatoslav Shevchuk]], the [[major archbishop]] of the [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]], that "he would do everything he can to help end the Ukraine conflict".<ref>{{cite interview |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250497/ukraine-conflict-pope-francis-to-ukrainian-catholic-leader-i-will-do-everything-i-can-to-help-end-war |title=Pope Francis to Ukrainian Catholic leader: 'I will do everything I can' to help end conflict |location=[[Rome]] |date=25 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=[[Catholic News Agency]] |author=CNA Staff |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225211110/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250497/ukraine-conflict-pope-francis-to-ukrainian-catholic-leader-i-will-do-everything-i-can-to-help-end-war |url-status=live}}</ref> During 27 February 2022 [[Angelus]] address, Francis called for peace, saying, "Silence the weapons!"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catholicphilly.com/2022/02/news/world-news/with-a-heart-broken-pope-prays-for-peace-in-ukraine/ |title='With a heart broken,' pope prays for peace in Ukraine |work=CatholicPhilly |date=27 February 2022 |access-date=22 February 2022 |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227230431/https://catholicphilly.com/2022/02/news/world-news/with-a-heart-broken-pope-prays-for-peace-in-ukraine/ |url-status=live}}</ref> At a September 2022 interfaith event in Kazakhstan, Francis urged [[Patriarch Kirill of Moscow|Patriarch Kirill]] not to become an "altar boy" of Putin's.<ref name="Giuffrida-2022" />

Throughout the war, Francis had called for an end to armed conflict.<ref name=Smith2023>Patrick Smith, [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-praise-russian-empire-ukraine-putin-rcna102283 Vatican defends pope's praise of 'great' Russian Empire after fury in Ukraine], NBC News (29 August 2023).</ref> Initially, he avoided specific criticism of Russia and President [[Vladimir Putin|Putin]], frustrating many Ukrainians.<ref name=Horowitz2024>Jason Horowitz, [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/09/world/europe/pope-ukraine-white-flag.html Pope Says Ukraine Should Have the 'Courage of the White Flag'], ''New York Times'' (9 March 2024).</ref> Later, he described Ukraine as "martyred" and prayed for the victims of [[List of wars involving Russia|Russian aggression]] but still did not directly criticize Putin or the Russian government.<ref name=Horowitz2024/><ref name=Allen2023>John L. Allen Jr., [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/05/ukraine-war-pope-francis-position-vatican-geopolitics/673955/ Why Pope Francis Isn't With the West on Ukraine], ''The Atlantic'' (5 May 2023).</ref> His statements aligned more with countries like Brazil, India, and China<ref name=Allen2023/> rather than the US and Europe—a stance some attribute to his distrust of America.<ref>[https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/12/20/pope-francis-has-failed-to-be-a-spiritual-mediator-in-ukraine Pope Francis has failed to be a spiritual mediator in Ukraine], ''Economist'' (20 December 2022).</ref> Francis warned against what he called a "simplistic good versus evil perception of the conflict", saying that a world leader who he did not name told him that NATO was "barking at the gates" of Russia, which led him to believe that the conflict was "somehow either provoked or not prevented."<ref name="Giuffrida-2022">{{Cite news |last=Giuffrida |first=Angela |date=14 June 2022 |title=Pope Francis says Ukraine war was 'perhaps somehow provoked' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/14/pope-francis-ukraine-war-provoked-russian-troops |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> These remarks damaged the Vatican's standing as a mediator in the conflict because supporters of Ukraine saw them as echoing Russian narratives about the war.<ref name="Mikhelidze2023" />

Francis's blanket denunciations of arms transfers and the weapons industry<ref name=Horowitz2024/><ref>Nicole Winfield, [https://apnews.com/world-news/pope-francis-0000018ca11fd7a5a79da55feff40000 Pope Francis denounces the weapons industry as he makes a Christmas appeal for peace in the world], Associated Press (25 December 2023).</ref> seemed to condemn [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|Western military aid to Ukraine]].<ref name=Allen2023/> In a September 2022 press conference, seven months into the war, Francis said that it was "licit" and justified for Ukraine [[Self-defence in international law|to defend itself]] but called for a negotiated settlement (saying that there must be "dialogue with any power that is at war, even if it is with the aggressor" and even when "it stinks").<ref name=White2022>Christopher White, [https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/pope-francis-backs-ukraines-defense-says-supplying-arms-may-be-morally-acceptable Pope Francis backs Ukraine's defense, says supplying arms 'may be morally acceptable'], ''National Catholic Reporter'' (15 September 2022).</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pope Francis: 'The West has taken the wrong paths' |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252304/pope-francis-the-west-has-taken-the-wrong-paths |access-date=21 September 2022 |publisher=Catholic News Agency |date=15 September 2022 |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604031627/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252304/pope-francis-the-west-has-taken-the-wrong-paths |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Pullella>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Pullella |title=Pope Says Ukraine Subjected to Monstrosities |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-09-21/pope-says-ukraine-subjected-to-savageness-monstrosities-torture |access-date=21 September 2022 |publisher=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |date=21 September 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114095521/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-09-21/pope-says-ukraine-subjected-to-savageness-monstrosities-torture |url-status=live}}</ref> He also suggested that arms transfers to Ukraine were "a political decision which it can be moral, morally acceptable, if it is done under conditions of morality."<ref name=White2022/> He later said that Ukrainians were a "noble" people and recounted Cardinal [[Konrad Krajewski]]'s reports of the "savage acts, the monstrosity, the tortured bodies" inflicted upon Ukraine.<ref name=Pullella/>

Francis's stances were rooted in part in his hope that the Vatican could broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, a possibility that analysts viewed as extremely unlikely.<ref name=Horowitz2024/> He dispatched two high-ranking Vatican officials—Cardinals Krajewski and [[Michael Czerny]]—as envoys on several trips to Ukraine in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |last2=Balmer |first2=Crispian |date=6 March 2022 |title=Pope Francis says 'rivers of blood' flowing in Ukraine war |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-ukraine-conflict-is-not-military-operation-war-2022-03-06/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412152840/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-ukraine-conflict-is-not-military-operation-war-2022-03-06/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2022 |title=Pope sends cardinal to Ukraine to show solidarity with refugees |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22#h_8cc95cbbd57270b46535d4948ec18d88 |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=[[CNN]] |language= |archive-date=7 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507112859/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22/h_8cc95cbbd57270b46535d4948ec18d88 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Pope Francis blessed an ambulance that the Vatican sent to Ukraine |url=https://www.infobae.com/en/2022/03/26/pope-francis-blessed-an-ambulance-that-the-vatican-sent-to-ukraine/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=infobae |language= |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503085407/https://www.infobae.com/en/2022/03/26/pope-francis-blessed-an-ambulance-that-the-vatican-sent-to-ukraine/ |url-status=live}}</ref> which was considered a highly unusual move of Vatican diplomacy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope Francis dispatches 2 cardinals to Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/06/pope-francis-dispatches-2-cardinals-to-ukraine-00014429 |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=[[Politico]] |date=6 March 2022 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412152842/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/06/pope-francis-dispatches-2-cardinals-to-ukraine-00014429 |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2022, Francis [[Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary|consecrated both Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-to-consecrate-russia-and-ukraine-to-the-immaculate.html |title=Pope to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to Immaculate Heart of Mary |work=[[Vatican News]] |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=21 March 2022 |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320221024/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-to-consecrate-russia-and-ukraine-to-the-immaculate.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Francis said in April 2023, during a trip to [[Budapest]], that he was working on a secret "mission" to bring peace and return [[Child abductions in the Russo-Ukrainian War|Ukrainian children abducted by Russia]].<ref>Jason Horowitz, [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/30/world/europe/pope-francis-hungary.html Pope Reveals He's Working on Secret 'Mission' of Peace in Ukraine], ''New York Times'' (30 April 2023).</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pope says Vatican involved in secret Ukraine peace mission |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-vatican-involved-ukraine-peace-mission-2023-04-30/ |work=[[Reuters]] |date=30 April 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |archive-date=15 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615234847/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-says-vatican-involved-ukraine-peace-mission-2023-04-30/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However, Francis's efforts to position the Vatican as a mediator have continuously failed.<ref name=Allen2023/><ref name=Mikhelidze2023>Nona Mikhelidze, [https://www.iai.it/it/pubblicazioni/unpacking-vaticans-diplomatic-failure-reaching-ceasefire-russia-ukraine-war Unpacking the Vatican's Diplomatic Failure in Reaching a Ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine War], [[Istituto Affari Internazionali]] (18 May 2023).</ref>

In early October 2022, Francis for the first time directly appealed to Putin to halt the "spiral of violence and death" in Ukraine.<ref name="Pullella2022">Philip Pullella, [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-condemns-relentless-bombings-ukrainian-cities-2022-10-12/ Pope condemns 'relentless' bombing of Ukrainian cities], Reuters (12 October 2022).</ref> In the same speech, Francis asked Ukrainian president Zelenskyy to be open about "serious peace proposals" while recognizing that Ukraine had suffered an "aggression" and saying that he was "pained about the suffering of the Ukrainian people".<ref name="PullellaOct2022">{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |date=2 October 2022 |title=Pope begs Putin to end 'spiral of violence and death', cites nuclear threat |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-begs-putin-end-spiral-violence-death-cites-nuclear-threat-2022-10-02/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326034459/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-begs-putin-end-spiral-violence-death-cites-nuclear-threat-2022-10-02/ |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=2 October 2022 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

===In the Muslim world===
[[File:Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar kisses the Pope.jpg|thumb|[[Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta|Istiqlal Mosque]] Grand Imam [[Nasaruddin Umar]] kisses the forehead of Francis, September 2024]]
Francis condemned the [[persecution of Christians by ISIL]] and supported the use of force to stop Islamic militants from attacking religious minorities in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-endorses-use-of-force-against-isis-in-iraq-2014-8?IR=T |title=Pope Francis Endorses Use Of Force Against ISIS In Iraq |first=Nicole |last=Winfield |date=18 August 2014 |website=[[Business Insider]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822013237/https://www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-endorses-use-of-force-against-isis-in-iraq-2014-8?IR=T |archive-date=22 August 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> In January 2018, Francis met [[Yazidi people|Yazidi]] refugees in Europe, expressed his support for their right to religious freedom, and called upon the international community "not to remain a silent and unresponsive spectator" to the [[Yazidi genocide]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bordoni |first1=Linda |title=Pope Francis calls for respect for the rights of the Yazidis |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-01/pope-francis-yazidi-persecuted.html |work=[[Vatican News]] |date=24 January 2018}}</ref>

In February 2019, Francis visited [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates, on the invitation of [[Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]. Francis became the first pope to celebrate Mass on the [[Arabian Peninsula]], attended by more than 120,000 attendees at the [[Zayed Sports City Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |work=[[Reuters]] |date=5 February 2019 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-emirates/tens-of-thousands-pack-stadium-for-first-papal-mass-on-arabian-peninsula-idUSKCN1PU0H9?il=0 |title=Tens of thousands pack stadium for first papal mass on Arabian Peninsula}}</ref>

In March 2021, Francis held a [[Pope Francis's visit to Iraq|historic meeting]] with Iraq's top [[Shi'ite]] cleric, [[Grand Ayatollah]] [[Ali al-Sistani]], and visited [[Ur of the Chaldees|Ur]], a site traditionally identified as the birthplace of the prophet [[Abraham]]. He and the Iraqi cleric urged the Muslim and Christian communities to work together for peaceful coexistence.<ref>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Pullella |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-iraq/pope-francis-holds-historic-meeting-with-iraqs-top-shiite-cleric-idUSKBN2AY07Y |title=Pope, on Iraq visit, decries violence in the name of God as 'greatest blasphemy' |date=6 March 2021 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pope-francis-meets-top-shiite-cleric-iraq-76292195 |title=Pope, top Iraq Shiite cleric hold historic, symbolic meeting |access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>

In September 2024, Francis [[Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia|visited]] [[Indonesia]], the country with the largest Muslim population,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Countries with the largest Muslim population 2022 {{!}} Statista |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/374661/countries-with-the-largest-muslim-population/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203050955/https://www.statista.com/statistics/374661/countries-with-the-largest-muslim-population/ |archive-date=3 December 2024 |access-date=24 February 2025 |website=Statista}}</ref> where he attended inter-religious dialogue in [[Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta|Istiqlal Mosque]] in Jakarta and was welcomed by the Grand Imam [[Nasaruddin Umar]].<ref name="Vatican News-2024">{{Cite web |date=5 September 2024 |title=Pope at mosque in Indonesia: May we cultivate friendship as pilgrims on our way to God |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-may-we-cultivate-friendship-harmony-as-pilgrims.html |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=[[Vatican News]]}}</ref> Francis and the Grand Imam additionally signed the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024, underscoring that the values common to all religious traditions be effectively promoted to "defeat the culture of violence and indifference" and promote reconciliation and peace.<ref name="Vatican News-2024" /> The declaration was also read and attended by representatives from other religions, including [[Protestantism|Protestants]], [[Hindus]], [[Buddhists]], [[Confucians]], and [[Folk religion]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last2=Ihsanuddin |first1=Vitorio |last1=Mantalean |date=5 September 2024 |title=Paus Fransiskus Teken "Deklarasi Bersama" Istiqlal Bareng Tokoh Lintas Iman, Ini Isinya |url=https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2024/09/05/11273151/paus-fransiskus-teken-deklarasi-bersama-istiqlal-bareng-tokoh-lintas-iman |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=Kompas.com |language=id}}</ref>

===G7===
{{Further|50th G7 summit}}

Pope Francis was the first pontiff to participate in the [[G7]], a meeting of leaders of the largest developed economies in the world. During his speech at the G7 forum in Italy, he stressed that humanity is in great danger due to the wars that are taking place such as the wars [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|in Ukraine]] and [[Gaza war|in Gaza]]. He also stated that the excessive use of [[artificial intelligence]] is posing a risk to jobs, and remarked on reproductive practices without specifically mentioning [[abortion]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/12/tech/pope-francis-g7-artificial-intelligence-intl-cmd/index.html |title=Why Pope Francis thinks the Church should play a part in world leaders' debate on AI |work=CNN |date=12 June 2024 |access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pope-francis-becomes-first-pontiff-to-address-a-g7-summit/7656373.html |title=Pope Francis becomes first pontiff to address a G7 summit |publisher=Voice of America |date=14 June 2024 |access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-06/pope-world-leaders-g7-bilateral-meetings-zelensky-biden.html |title=Pope Francis meets with world leaders at G7 summit |work=Vatican News |date=14 June 2024 |access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-06/pope-g7-artifical-intelligence-objective-neutral.html |title=Pope to G7: AI is 'neither objective nor neutral' |work=Vatican News |date=14 June 2024 |access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref>

===Elsewhere===
[[File:Pope Francis in Sarajevo 06 (cropped).JPG|thumb|Crowd at the [[Koševo City Stadium]] in [[Sarajevo]], celebrating a Mass with Francis, June 2015]]

In September 2015, Francis visited the [[United Nations Headquarters]] in New York City where he addressed the [[UN General Assembly]]; following his speech, he visited the [[National September 11 Memorial and Museum]].<ref name="Times 2015">[https://www.dw.com/en/pope-addresses-the-un-prays-at-9-11-memorial/a-18742142 Pope addresses UN General Assembly], [[Deutsche Welle]] (25 September 2015).</ref> In June 2023, Francis issued an address to the [[UN Security Council]] while recovering from abdominal surgery; the statement was read by Vatican official [[Paul Gallagher (bishop)|Paul Gallagher]] on the Pope's behalf.<ref>Edith M. Lederer, [https://apnews.com/article/pope-islam-war-fraternity-un-e105d039988fc0404632fa5239df2cfe Pope joins with imam in making calls for peace before UN Security Council vote], Associated Press (14 June 2023).</ref><ref>[https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/june/documents/20230614-consigliosicurezza-onu.html Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Security Council of the United Nations], Vatican (14 June 2023).</ref>

After the [[2017 Catalan independence referendum]] that originated the [[2017–2018 Spanish constitutional crisis|2017–18 Spanish constitutional crisis]] on 1 October 2017, Francis communicated to the Spanish ambassador to the Holy See Gerardo Bugallo that the Vatican would not recognize secessionist or self-determination movements that were not the result of decolonization.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.expansion.com/economia/politica/2017/10/05/59d65a91e5fdeac22d8b457b.html |title=El Papa afirma que El Vaticano 'no reconoce movimientos secesionistas' en referencia a Cataluña |author=<!--not stated--> |language=es |trans-title=The Pope states that the Vatican 'does not recognize secessionist movements', referring to Catalonia |date=5 October 2017 |newspaper=Expansión |agency=[[EFE]]}}</ref>

==Public image==
{{See also|List of places and things named after Pope Francis}}
{{External media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage = [[File:Pope Francis (27056871831) (cropped).jpg|210px]] | video1 = [https://www.ted.com/talks/pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone?language=en#t-62701 Why the only future worth building includes everyone], [[TED (conference)|TED talks]], April 2017, 17:51, in Italian with subtitles in 22 languages}}

Francis was frequently described as a [[Progressivism|progressive]] or [[Religious liberalism|liberal]] moderate.<ref>{{cite news |last=Waters |first=John |date=20 July 2014 |title=Does Pope Francis have a cunning plan? |work=Irish Independent |url=https://www.independent.ie/opinion/does-pope-francis-have-a-cunning-plan-30444898.html |url-status=live |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720053304/https://www.independent.ie/opinion/does-pope-francis-have-a-cunning-plan-30444898.html |archive-date=20 July 2014}}</ref> Commentator [[William Saletan]] described Francis as liberal and fundamentally anti-conservative in his analysis of Francis's first long interview after becoming pope, highlighting Francis's statements "God is to be encountered in the world of today" and "God manifests himself in historical revelation, in history".<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2013/09/pope-francis-interview-forget-homosexuality-and-birth-control-hes-a-flaming-liberal.html |title=Pope Francis Is a Liberal |last=Saletan |first=William |author-link=William Saletan |date=19 September 2013 |journal=Slate |access-date=20 May 2014}}</ref> Other have contested descriptions of Francis as liberal.<ref>{{cite web |first=Luke |last=Coppen |url=https://www.spectator.com.au/2014/01/the-fantasy-francis/ |title=Sorry – but Pope Francis is no liberal |work=The Spectator |date=11 January 2014 |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> In 2014, the Vatican criticized some Italian news agencies, as well as the [[Agence France-Presse]], for reporting that a comment Francis made was suggestive of an opening toward acceptance of same-sex marriage or civil unions; a Vatican spokesperson said the pope's remark was taken out of context.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/28727/vatican-spokesman-media-manipulated-popes-family-comments |title=Vatican spokesman: media manipulated Pope's family comments |date=7 January 2014 |agency=Catholic News Agency |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref>

Important aspects of Francis's public image include "his recognizable humanity" and gestures of humility, as well as his efforts to preserve his autonomy amid [[Roman Curia]] bureaucracy.<ref name="Achanging">{{cite magazine |first=Mark |last=Binelli |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/pope-francis-the-times-they-are-a-changin-20140128 |title=Pope Francis Cover Story: The Times They Are A-Changin' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=28 January 2014 |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> He was a frequent user of [[landline telephone]]s; he reportedly had never owned a computer or [[mobile phone]].<ref name="Achanging"/> Shortly before his death, Francis donated most of his personal wealth, approximately €200,000, to support a pasta-making project at a youth prison in Rome.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The pope's last coded message |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/04/26/the-popes-last-coded-message |access-date=26 April 2025 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

In December 2013, both ''[[Time Magazine|Time]]'' and ''[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]'' magazines named Francis as their "Person of the Year"; ''Esquire'' magazine named him as the "Best-dressed man" for 2013, citing his simpler vestments.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/pope-francis-named-esquires-best-dressed-man-of-2013--but-why-20140101-hv7ab.html |title=Pope Francis named Esquire's 'Best Dressed Man of 2013' – but why? |first=Michael |last=McGough |date=1 January 2014 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine followed in January 2014 by making him their featured front cover.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/pope-francis-gentle-revolution-inside-rolling-stones-new-issue-49840/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |title=Pope Francis' Gentle Revolution: Inside Rolling Stone's New Issue |date=28 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://poy.time.com/2013/12/11/person-of-the-year-pope-francis-the-peoples-pope/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |title=Person of the Year 2013 |date=11 December 2013}}</ref> ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' magazine also ranked Francis as number one in their list of 50 greatest leaders.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/gallery/leadership/2014/03/20/worlds-best-leaders.fortune/ |work=[[CNN]] |first=Geoff |last=Colvin |title=Fortune ranks the World's 50 Greatest Leaders |date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331010527/https://money.cnn.com/gallery/leadership/2014/03/20/worlds-best-leaders.fortune |archive-date=31 March 2014}}</ref> He was included in ''[[Forbes]]'' lists of [[Forbes list of The World's Most Powerful People|most powerful people in the world]] in 2014<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2014/11/05/2014-ranking-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-people/ |title=2014 Ranking of the World's Most Powerful People |date=11 May 2014 |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> and 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=M. Ewalt |first1=David |title=The World's Most Powerful People 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2016/12/14/the-worlds-most-powerful-people-2016/ |access-date=3 March 2017 |work=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

In March 2013, a new song was dedicated to Francis and released in Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, and Italian, titled ''{{lang|la|Come Puoi}}'' (''How You Can'').<ref name="nofrills" /> A street in [[La Plata]], Argentina, was renamed Papa Francisco in his honor.<ref name="street">Ho, Erica, [https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/03/28/argentinatown-renames-street-after-pope-francis/ "Argentina: Town renames street after Pope Francis"], ''Time'', 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.</ref> The [[Argentine Chamber of Deputies]] passed legislation to mint a [[commemorative coin]] as a tribute to Francis in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/27/world/americas/argentina-pope-francis-coin/index.html |title=Argentina weighs putting Pope Francis' face on a coin |work=[[CNN]] |author=Catherine E. Shoichet |date=28 November 2013 |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/blog/2013/12/04/Commemorative-pope-coin-may-be-coming-soon/4511386162810/ |work=United Press International |title=Commemorative pope coin may be coming soon |author=JC Finley}}</ref> As of 2013, sales of papal souvenirs, a sign of popularity, were up.<ref name="NYT52513">{{cite news |title=Francis' Humility and Emphasis on the Poor Strike a New Tone at the Vatican |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/world/europe/pope-francis-changes-tone-at-the-vatican.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526035144/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/world/europe/pope-francis-changes-tone-at-the-vatican.html |archive-date=26 May 2013 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2013 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=25 May 2013 |first=Rachel |last=Donadio |quote=It was so hard to sell anything under Benedict. This pope attracts huge crowds, and they all want to bring back home something with his smiling face on it.}}</ref>

Francis presided over his first joint public wedding ceremony in a Nuptial Mass for 20 couples from the Archdiocese of Rome on 14 September 2014, a few weeks before the start of 5–19 October [[Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops]] (the Synod on the Family).<ref>{{cite news |access-date=7 November 2015 |work=BBC News |date=14 September 2014 |title=Pope marries 20 cohabiting couples in sign of papacy shift |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29198491}}</ref>{{efn|[[Pope Emeritus Benedict&nbsp;XVI]] did not do this during his eight-year papacy from 2005 to 2013; his predecessor, [[Pope John Paul&nbsp;II]], married a group of couples from all over the world in 2000, as part of the Jubilee for Families, and before that in 1994 during the church's Year of the Family, as well as presiding over a number of private marriages as pope.<ref>{{cite web |last=Glatz |first=Carol |url=https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2014/pope-francis-to-preside-over-joint-september-wedding-at-vatican.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524004506/https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2014/pope-francis-to-preside-over-joint-september-wedding-at-vatican.cfm |archive-date=24 May 2018 |title=Pope Francis to preside over joint September wedding at Vatican |date=29 August 2014 |publisher=Catholic News Service |access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref>}}

In 2016, Francis became the first pope to create an [[Instagram]] account.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/pope-francis-instagram-franciscus.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319121740/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/pope-francis-instagram-franciscus.html |archive-date=19 March 2016 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Get Ready, Internet. The Pope Has Joined Instagram. |first=Liam |last=Stack |date=19 March 2016 |access-date=5 March 2021 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He broke records after having gained over one million followers in under 12 hours of the account being up.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/03/19/technology/instagram-pope-francis-account/ |title=Pope Francis gains 1 million Instagram followers in under 12 hours |author=Ahiza Garcia |date=19 March 2016 |work=[[CNN Business]] |access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> On 26 November 2020, Francis became the first pope to write an op-ed for ''The New York Times'', addressing issues such as COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings and the need for global solidarity.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Pope Francis |date=26 November 2020 |title=Pope Francis: A Crisis Reveals What Is in Our Hearts |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/26/opinion/pope-francis-covid.html |access-date=17 February 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Choi |first=Joseph |date=26 November 2020 |title=Pope Francis swipes at groups protesting COVID-19 restrictions in NYT op-ed |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/527707-pope-francis-swipes-at-groups-protesting-covid-19-restrictions-in-nyt-op-ed |access-date=17 February 2021 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref>

Francis was a longtime supporter of the football club [[San Lorenzo de Almagro]]. When the Argentine club won the [[2014 Copa Libertadores]], he received the team at his guest house near St.&nbsp;Peter's Square, where he was gifted a replica trophy and a glove of goalkeeper Sebastian Torrico.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=San Lorenzo gives top fan Pope Francis their trophy |work=Reuters |date=18 December 2013 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/san-lorenzo-gives-top-fan-pope-francis-their-trophy-idUSBRE9BH0TO/ |access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref>

==Health==
[[File:Pope Francis and President Joko Widodo Portrait (wide).jpg|thumb|Francis with then-President of Indonesia [[Joko Widodo]] in September 2024. Francis had publicly used a wheelchair since 2022.]]
Elected at the age of 76, Francis was reported to be healthy; his doctors had said the lung tissue removed in his youth did not significantly affect his health.<ref name="The Guardian-2013b" /> The only concern would be decreased respiratory reserve if he had a respiratory infection.<ref name="Park-2013" /> The Pope had suffered from chronic lung damage, due in part to the lung excision he had as a young man. In the last few years of his life, he was prone to bouts of [[influenza]] and [[bronchitis]] in the winter. Knee problems and [[sciatica]] prompted him to frequently use a wheelchair, walker, or cane.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/world/europe/pope-francis-critical-condition.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222191838/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/world/europe/pope-francis-critical-condition.html |archive-date=22 February 2025 |title=Pope Francis in Critical Condition After 'Respiratory Crisis,' Vatican Says |first=Elisabetta |last=Povoledo |date=22 February 2025 |newspaper=New York Times}}</ref> In 2021, the Pope's health problems prompted rumors that he might resign,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gagliarducci |first1=Andrea |title=Analysis: What's behind rumors that Pope Francis will resign? |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248814/will-pope-francis-resign |access-date=2 September 2021 |work=Catholic News Agency |date=31 August 2021}}</ref> which Francis dismissed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Pope denies resignation report, says leads normal life after surgery |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/pope-denies-resignation-report-says-093137157.html |access-date=2 September 2021 |work=Yahoo! |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=2 September 2021}}</ref> In June 2022, after undergoing treatment to his knee, Francis canceled planned trips to the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and [[South Sudan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope Francis cancels trip to Congo and South Sudan over health issues |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220610-pope-francis-cancels-trip-to-congo-and-south-sudan-over-health-issues |access-date=12 June 2022 |work=France24 |date=11 June 2022}}</ref>

In March 2023, Francis was hospitalized in Rome with a respiratory infection.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghiglione |first1=Davide |last2=Davies |first2=Alys |title=Pope Francis in hospital with respiratory infection |work=[[BBC News]] |date=29 March 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65117270 |access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> He returned to celebrate the [[Easter Vigil]] Mass on [[Holy Saturday]], in April.<ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Emilio |first1=Frances |date=8 April 2023 |title=Pope Francis returns to public eye for Easter vigil Mass |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-easter-vigil-basilica-b521343b26ea2d74bb135a0b9aeaebf6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408184929/https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-easter-vigil-basilica-b521343b26ea2d74bb135a0b9aeaebf6 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |access-date=9 April 2023 |website=[[Associated Press|AP News]]}}</ref> In June, Francis underwent abdominal surgery after suffering from a [[hernia]].<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Sofia |last1=Betiza |first2=Nicholas |last2=Yong |date=7 June 2023 |title=Pope Francis, 86, to have abdominal surgery |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65821047 |access-date=7 June 2023 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> He acknowledged that his recurring mobility problems had precipitated the beginning of what [[Reuters]] termed "a new, slower phase of his papacy",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Pope says that with frailty and age, he is in new phase of papacy |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-says-that-with-frailty-age-he-is-new-phase-papacy-2022-07-30/ |website=Reuters |access-date=22 October 2024 |date=30 July 2022}}</ref> although he was praised by disabled Catholics for making his "disability part of his visible identity".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hertzler-McCain |first1=Aleja |title=Disabled Catholics praise pope's example in publicly using a wheelchair |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/disabled-catholics-praise-popes-example-publicly-using-wheelchair |website=[[National Catholic Reporter]] |access-date=22 October 2024 |date=17 August 2022}}</ref>

In February 2025, Francis entered [[Gemelli Hospital]] in Rome due to [[bronchitis]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/14/europe/pope-francis-hospital-bronchitis-intl |title=Pope Francis hospitalized for bronchitis treatment and checks, Vatican says |work=CNN |first1=Christopher |last1=Lamb |first2=Antonia |last2=Mortensen |first3=Rob |last3=Picheta |date=14 February 2025 |access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref> He remained for more than a month after developing a polymicrobial infection of his respiratory tract and bilateral pneumonia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/17/europe/pope-francis-polymicrobial-infection-intl |title=Pope Francis' hospital treatment dealing with 'complex clinical' condition, Vatican says |work=CNN |first1=Christopher |last1=Lamb |first2=Antonia |last2=Mortensen |first3=Sharon |last3=Braithwaite |date=17 February 2025 |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/world/europe/pope-francis-health.html |title=Pope Francis, Hospitalized, Has Pneumonia, Vatican Says |work=The New York Times |first=Elisabetta |last=Povoledo |date=18 February 2025 |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref><ref name="Povoledo-2025" /> ''[[Vatican News]]'' described his condition as [[medical state|critical]] and reported that he was given [[blood transfusions]] and [[Heated humidified high-flow therapy|high-flow oxygen]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Winfield |first1=Nicole |last2=Stellacci |first2=Silvia |title=Pope Francis is in critical condition after long respiratory crisis, requiring oxygen at high flow |publisher=Associated Press |date=22 February 2025 |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-pneumonia-sepsis-vatican-respiratory-infection-bab5b9a141517171d4efc71fadafa0a4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2025 |title=Pope at Gemelli Hospital, respiratory crisis in the morning |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-02/pope-at-gemelli-hospital-respiratory-crisis-in-the-morning.html |access-date=22 February 2025 |website=Vatican News}}</ref> Eventually, Francis was put on [[mechanical ventilation]] for a number of days, and suffered two episodes of "[[respiratory failure|acute respiratory insufficiency]]".<ref>{{cite web |date=3 March 2025 |title=Pope Francis had two episodes of 'acute respiratory insufficiency', Vatican says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-had-two-episodes-acute-respiratory-insufficiency-vatican-says-2025-03-03/ |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref> After the infection improved, he was discharged from the hospital on 23 March,<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2025 |title=Pope Francis makes first appearance from Rome hospital |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrdv84rg4do.amp |access-date=23 March 2025 |website=BBC News}}</ref> immediately after blessing a crowd from his balcony.  He was expected to spend at least two months recuperating at his home in [[Domus Sanctae Marthae]] in [[Vatican City]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Giuffrida |first=Angela |date=23 March 2025 |title=Pope Francis greets crowds in Rome before discharge from hospital |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/23/pope-francis-greets-crowds-in-rome-before-discharge-from-hospital |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> maintaining a reduced work schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stancati |first=Margherita |title=Pope Francis Leaves Hospital After Weekslong Stay |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/pope-francis-to-be-released-from-hospital-f892d393?mod=hp_lista_pos2 |date=23 March 2025 |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2025 |title=Pope Francis makes first appearance from Rome hospital |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrdv84rg4do |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref> He appeared in public for the first time since his hospitalization on 6 April.<ref name="Povoledo-2025">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/world/europe/pope-francis-surprise-public-appearance.html |title=Recovering Pope Surprises Pilgrims With a Public Appearance |work=The New York Times |first=Elisabetta |last=Povoledo |date=6 April 2025 |access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref>

==Death==
{{main|Death and funeral of Pope Francis}}
{{See also|Reactions to the death of Pope Francis}}
[[File:Procesija, pok. papa Franjo (5).jpg|thumb|right|Procession of the body of Pope Francis in the Vatican]]
[[File:Pope Francis Tomb.jpg|thumb|220px|Francis's tomb in [[Santa Maria Maggiore]]]]

Francis's last public appearance was at [[St.&nbsp;Peter's Square]] in Vatican City on [[Easter Sunday]], 20 April 2025, where he gave his final Easter address and called for a ceasefire in [[Gaza war|Gaza]].<ref name="LastAppearance">{{cite news |title=Pope Francis' last public appearance on Easter Sunday |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cj45l85002qo |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=21 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Emily |date=21 April 2025 |title=Read Pope Francis' final Easter address |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/read-pope-francis-final-easter-address/story?id=121006377 |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref><ref name="AP News-2025" /> He died at 07:35 [[Central European Summer Time|local time]] (UTC+02:00) on [[Easter Monday]], 21 April 2025, aged 88, in his residence in [[Domus Sanctae Marthae]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-dies-on-easter-monday-aged-88.html |title=Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88 |first=Devin |last=Watkins |website=[[Vatican News]] |publisher=[[Dicastery for Communication]] |date=21 April 2025 |access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="APDeath">{{cite news |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88 |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a |location=Vatican City |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref> His death, announced by Cardinal [[Kevin Farrell]] on the [[Vatican News|Vatican's TV channel]] and in a video statement,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zeris |first=Henry |date=21 April 2025 |title=See the moment Vatican announces death of Pope Francis |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/21/world/video/vatican-announcement-pope-francis-ldn-digvid |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref> was caused by a [[cerebral stroke]], which led to a [[coma]] and irreversible [[cardiac arrest]].<ref>{{cite news |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope's death due to stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-death-due-to-stroke-and-irreversible-cardiocircula.html |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=[[Vatican News]] |publisher=[[Dicastery for Communication]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Samantha |last2=George |first2=Susannah |last3=Gupta |first3=Gaya |last4=Faiola |first4=Anthony |last5=Wu |first5=Daniel |last6=Bellack |first6=Marisa |last7=Masih |first7=Niha |last8=Ho |first8=Vivian |date=21 April 2025 |title=Live updates: Pope Francis, who built his papacy on openness and empathy, dead at 88 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/21/pope-francis-dead/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

The pope's death began a [[papal interregnum]] and a nine-day period of mourning known as the {{langnf|la|novendiales|nine days}}. His funeral took place on 26 April 2025.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 April 2025 |title=Cardinals meet at Vatican and set date for Pope Francis' public viewing and funeral |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-death-funeral-conclave-e9688b14b9d9e19bbdd6a868d57a4699 |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=AP News}}</ref> Cardinal electors arrived in Rome to attend the congregation of [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinals]] and decided that 7 May 2025 shall be the start of the [[2025 papal conclave|conclave]] set to elect Francis's successor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2025 |title=Conclave to elect next Pope to commence 7 May 2925 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/28/europe/conclave-start-date-intl/index.html |access-date=28 April 2025 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> On 8 May, Robert Francis Prevost, who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2023, was elected as [[Pope Leo&nbsp;XIV]].

Francis's spiritual testament, dated 29 June 2022, repeated his wish to be buried at the [[Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore]] in Rome. Upon his death, he was laid to rest there in accordance with his testament, becoming the first pope to be interred in the Santa Maria Maggiore since [[Clement&nbsp;IX]] in 1669.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Povoledo |first=Elisabetta |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope Francis' Will Says He Wishes to Be Buried in Simple Tomb in Rome |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/world/europe/pope-francis-will-released.html |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Vatican News-2025">{{Cite web |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope Francis' spiritual testament |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-spiritual-will-and-testament.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421184828/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-spiritual-will-and-testament.html |archive-date=21 April 2025 |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=[[Vatican News]] |publisher=[[Dicastery for Communication]]}}</ref> His testament ended:

<blockquote>May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.<ref name="Vatican News-2025" /></blockquote>

== Legacy ==
Francis's papacy coincided with a period of widespread change and reckoning within the global Catholic order and within society at large. Throughout his papacy, he was noted for his support for the plight of [[refugee]]s, [[Immigration|migrants]], and the [[Poverty|impoverished]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Jason |last2=Povoledo |first2=Elisabetta |last3=Bubola |first3=Emma |last4=Levenson |first4=Michael |date=21 April 2025 |title=For Pope Francis, a Last Burst of Pastoring Before Death |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/world/europe/pope-francis-mourning.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Since their beginnings, he had been outspoken in his criticism of the wars in [[Russo-Ukrainian War|Ukraine]], [[Sudanese civil war (2023–present)|Sudan]], [[Gaza war|Gaza]], [[Kivu conflict|DR Congo]], and [[Myanmar civil war (2021–present)|Myanmar]], notwithstanding numerous other conflicts and acts of suppression against the civilian population globally.<ref name="Munoko-2025">{{Cite web |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope Francis and Africa: 'His love for the continent was great' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce82eyxdp3lo |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |last1=Munoko |first1=Beryl |last2=Zane |first2=Damian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2024 |title=From Rome, Pope Francis calls for 'lasting peace' in Myanmar |url=https://international.la-croix.com/religion/from-rome-pope-francis-calls-for-lasting-peace-in-myanmar |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=La croix international}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Salman |first1=Abeer |last2=Liebermann |first2=Oren |date=23 April 2025 |title=The pope called them every night until his final hours. Now, Gaza's Christians cling to the hope he left behind |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/23/middleeast/pope-gaza-christians-mourning-intl/index.html |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=CNN}}</ref> He appointed more than 80% of the [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinals]] that [[Papal conclave|elected]] his successor, notably reducing the European share of the [[College of Cardinals]] from a majority to a plurality.<ref name="Pullella-2025">{{Cite news |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope Francis obituary: a pontiff who shook up the Catholic Church |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/obituary-pope-francis-shook-up-church-with-simplicity-raising-conservative-ire-2025-04-21/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Diamant |first=Jeff |date=21 April 2025 |title=Under Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals became less European |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/04/21/under-pope-francis-the-college-of-cardinals-became-less-european/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=Pew Research Center}}</ref> He was celebrated for his outreach to [[Catholic Church in China|China]] and the [[Catholic Church in Africa|African continent]], his tolerance towards differing faith communities, and his attention to younger Catholic adherents and the changing nature of the faith.<ref name="Munoko-2025" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope Francis long extended a hand to China, which never took it |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/obituaries/article/2025/04/21/pope-francis-long-extended-a-hand-to-china-which-never-took-it_6740468_15.html |access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref> Additionally, he formalized the church's policy of opposition to the [[Capital punishment|death penalty]] in all cases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Card |first=Luis |date=1 August 2018 |title=Letter to the Bishops regarding the new revision of Number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Death Penalty |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20180801_lettera-vescovi-penadimorte_en.html |access-date=22 April 2025 |website=Vatican Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2020 |title=Pope Francis closes the door on the death penalty in 'Fratelli Tutti' |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2020/10/04/pope-francis-closes-door-death-penalty-fratelli-tutti |access-date=27 April 2025 |website=America Magazine}}</ref><ref name="Pullella-2025" />

Under his papacy, [[Women in the Catholic Church|women]] remained banned from becoming priests, joining the [[Deacon|Diaconate]], or being appointed to the [[College of Bishops]] or [[College of Cardinals|Cardinals]]. However, Francis made significant strides towards increasing women's presence in the senior and central administration of the church.<ref name="McElwee-2025">{{Cite news |last=McElwee |first=Joshua |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope Francis gave women Vatican roles, but held back on wider changes |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-gave-women-vatican-roles-held-back-wider-changes-2025-04-21/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="Pullella-2025" /><ref name="Horowitz-2025">{{Cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Jason |last2=Yardley |first2=Jim |date=21 April 2025 |title=Francis, the First Latin American Pope, Dies at 88 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/world/europe/pope-francis-dead.html |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He was the first to grant them voting rights within the [[Synod of Bishops in the Catholic Church|Synod of Bishops]], and increased their presence in functions and institutions of the Church that had previously been restricted to or dominated by men.<ref name="NBC News-2021" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Associated |first=Press |date=26 April 2023 |title=In a historic shift, Pope Francis allows women to vote at bishops' meetings |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/04/26/1172201884/pope-francis-women-vote-bishops-meetings#:~:text=Hollerich%20declined%20to%20say%20how,or%20departments,%20known%20as%20dicasteries. |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=NPR}}</ref> He has nonetheless been criticized by some as having only produced reform within existing frameworks of gender division within the Catholic Church, doing little to advance serious, radical reform of its institutions to ensure an ideal of inclusion and parity.<ref name="McElwee-2025" />

He set himself apart from other Popes in [[Traditionis custodes|upholding]] the Church's departure from the [[Tridentine Mass|Tridentine mass]], which had only been [[Missale Romanum (apostolic constitution)|loosely enforced]] by both predecessors whose reign occurred after the institution of the [[Sacrosanctum Concilium|reforms]] of the [[Second Vatican Council]].<ref name="Horowitz-2021" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 2025 |title=Second Vatican Council {{!}} History, Summary, Changes, Documents, & Significance {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Second-Vatican-Council |access-date=27 April 2025 |website=www.britannica.com}}</ref><ref name="Pullella-2025" /><ref name="www.vatican.va">{{Cite web |title=Apostolic Letter issued "Motu proprio" by the Supreme Pontiff Francis "Traditionis custodes" on the use of the Roman Liturgy prior to the Reform of 1970, 16 July 2021 {{!}} Francis |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/motu_proprio/documents/20210716-motu-proprio-traditionis-custodes.html |access-date=27 April 2025 |website=www.vatican.va}}</ref> Though it was not banned outright during his tenure, he nonetheless greatly increased Vatican oversight over the facilitation of the ritual, and restricted the right of new priests to engage in the practice.<ref name="www.vatican.va" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Letter of the Holy Father to the Bishops of the whole world, that accompanies the Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio data "Traditionis custodes" (16 July 2021) {{!}} Francis |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2021/documents/20210716-lettera-vescovi-liturgia.html |access-date=27 April 2025 |website=www.vatican.va}}</ref> Some have stated his view as having been that "the Tridentine liturgy [had become] a symbol of the rejection of Vatican&nbsp;II itself as well as of the pope's teachings."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rausch |first=Thomas |date=31 January 2025 |title=The move away from the Latin Mass was about more than aesthetics |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/01/31/liturgy-eucharist-rausch-249791 |access-date=27 April 2025 |website=America Magazine}}</ref>

In 2022, he issued the first apology by the Vatican for its role in the [[Canadian Indian residential school system|cultural erasure and forced assimilation]] of [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] peoples in [[Canada]] from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hobson |first=Brittany |date=21 April 2025 |title=Pope Francis apologized for residential schools during historic Canadian visit |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/pope-francis-obit-residential-school-apology-1.7514749 |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=CBC}}</ref> His endorsement of the conditional blessing of same-sex couples earned him praise from many progressive outlets within and outside the Church. Some groups, though, have been critical of the extent of his [[Pope Francis and LGBTQ topics|tolerance on various LGBTQ issues]], particularly the question of his acceptance of [[Transgender|transgender identity]] and his answer to the larger issue of [[Catholic Church and homosexuality|homosexuality]], [[Queer|queer identity]], and [[sin]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seven Quotes That Make Pope Francis Complicated for LGBTQ+ People |url=https://www.hrc.org/resources/seven-quotes-that-make-pope-francis-complicated-for-lgbt-people |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425121305/https://www.hrc.org/resources/seven-quotes-that-make-pope-francis-complicated-for-lgbt-people |archive-date=25 April 2025 |access-date=22 April 2025 |website=HRC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Coming Home to Catholicism and to Self |url=https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/Coming_Home_Catholicism.pdf |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=Human Rights Campaign (HRC)}}</ref><ref name="Horowitz-2025" /> The progressive stances he held drew significant criticism from conservative elements within the college.<ref name="Pullella-2025" />

==Distinctions==
===Titles and styles===
The official form of address of the Pope in English was ''His Holiness Pope Francis''. ''Holy Father'' was among the other [[His holiness#Catholic church|honorifics]] used for popes.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Annuario pontificio |publisher=Libr. Ed. Vaticana |oclc=894991536}}</ref>

===Foreign orders===
* {{flagu|Bolivia}}: [[File:BOL Order of Condor of the Andes - Grand Cross BAR.png|50px]]: Grand Collar of the [[Order of the Condor of the Andes]] (9 July 2015)<ref name="CondorDeLosAndes">{{cite news |url=https://www.presidencia.gob.bo/fuente/noticia.php?cod=3363#contenido |title=Presidente Evo Morales distingue con el Cóndor de Los Andes al Papa Francisco |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709162549/https://www.presidencia.gob.bo/fuente/noticia.php?cod=3363#contenido |archive-date=9 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="CrucifixThis">{{cite web |url=https://d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2015/07/crucifix_this.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=D2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net |access-date=22 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008051929/https://d2jkk5z9de9jwi.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2015/07/crucifix_this.jpg |archive-date=8 October 2016}}</ref>
* {{flagu|Bolivia}}: Order of Merit "Father Luis Espinal Camps" (9 July 2015)<ref name="CondorDeLosAndes" /><ref name="CrucifixThis" />
* {{flagu|Poland}}: [[File:POL Order Uśmiechu BAR.svg|50px]]: [[Order of the Smile]] (26 April 2016)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pope2016.com/en/faith/catholic-church/francis/news,466184,pope-francis-receives-order-of-the-smile.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160910222831/https://www.pope2016.com/en/faith/catholic-church/francis/news,466184,pope-francis-receives-order-of-the-smile.html |archive-date=10 September 2016 |title=Pope Francis receives Order of the Smile – Francis – Catholic Church – Faith – Pope in Poland 2016 – press center |work=pope2016.com |access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref>
* {{flagu|United States}}: [[File:Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction (ribbon).svg|50px]]: [[Presidential Medal of Freedom|Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction]] (11 January 2025)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-pope-francis-presidential-medal-of-freedom-1abf54dc5b1f30d8f0702dbd2bb93304 |title=Biden honors Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom |first=Zeke |last=Miller |publisher=Associated Press |date=11 January 2025 |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref>

===Awards===
* [[Olympic Order]] (2013)<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2013 |title=Pope Francis talks of sport's ability to build bridges at audience with Olympic Family in Rome |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/pope-francis-talks-of-sport-s-ability-to-build-bridges-at-audience-with-olympic-family-in-rome |website=[[International Olympic Committee]]}}</ref>
* {{flagu|Germany}}: [[Charlemagne Prize|International Charlemagne Prize]] of [[Aachen]] (2016)<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope Francis to be awarded Charlemagne Prize on 6 May |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/es/press-room/20160502IPR25453/pope-francis-to-be-awarded-charlemagne-prize-on-6-may |work=[[European Parliament]] |date=2 May 2016 |via=www.europarl.europa.eu}}</ref>
* "Person of the Year" by [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] (2015) for his request that all Catholics be kind to animals.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=White |first1=Daniel |title=Pope Francis Is PETA's Person of the Year |url=https://time.com/4130961/peta-pope-francis/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=1 December 2015}}</ref>
* Francis was made an honorary [[Harlem Globetrotters|Harlem Globetrotter]] on 7 May 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guion |first=Payton |date=7 May 2015 |title=Pope Francis got a new gig this week...as a basketball player |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pope-francis-has-joined-the-harlem-globetrotters-10233040.html |access-date=5 May 2019 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>
* Francis was granted an honorary [[Black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] by [[World Taekwondo]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=[World Taekwondo] Pope Granted Honorary Taekwondo Black Belt at Meeting in V.. |url=https://m.worldtaekwondo.org/wtnews/view.html?nid=27153 |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=m.worldtaekwondo.org}}</ref>
* Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in October 2020 for significant contributions to the service of humanity from around the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope meets with Zayed Award judging panel |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-10/zayed-award-higher-committee-human-fraternity-award-2021-panel.html |work=[[Vatican News]] |date=23 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nominations open for 2021 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-10/nominations-zayed-award-human-fraternity-document.html |work=[[Vatican News]] |date=20 October 2020}}</ref>
* {{flagu|Brazil}}: Medalha Mérito Legislativo awarded by the [[Congress of Brazil]] in November 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Câmara condecora 32 personalidades com o Mérito Legislativo, entre elas Bolsonaro e papa Francisco Fonte: Agência Câmara de Notícias |url=https://www.camara.leg.br/noticias/830707-camara-condecora-32-personalidades-com-o-merito-legislativo-entre-elas-bolsonaro-e-papa-francisco/ |work=[[Congress of Brazil]] |date=24 November 2021 |language=pt}}</ref>
* Grand Chief [[Willie Littlechild]] gifted Francis with the Indigenous name "Wapikihew" ("White Eagle") on behalf of the [[Ermineskin Cree Nation]] and presented him with a traditional Cree [[War bonnet]] following the Pope's apology to the [[Indigenous peoples in Canada]] at [[Maskwacis]], Alberta, on 25 July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Staples: What to make of outcry over Indigenous leader bestowing headdress on Pope Francis? |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/david-staples-what-to-make-of-outcry-over-indigenous-leader-bestowing-headdress-on-pope-francis |access-date=2 August 2022 |website=edmontonjournal}}</ref>

===Honorific eponyms and dedications===
[[File:Pope Francis Malacanang 45.jpg|thumb|Francis and Philippine president [[Benigno Aquino&nbsp;III]] in [[Manila]], [[Pope Francis's visit to the Philippines|16 January 2015]]]]
* {{flagu|Philippines}}: The Pope Francis Center for the Poor – [[Palo, Leyte]] (12 July 2015)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=59702 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713221857/https://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=59702 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=13 July 2015 |title=Palo's Pope Francis Center now houses abandoned elderly, orphans |publisher=Catholic's Bishop Conference of the Philippines}}</ref>
* {{flagu|South Sudan}}: "H.H. Pope Francis Road" in [[Juba]] was inaugurated by President [[Salva Kiir Mayardit|Salva Kiir]] days before his [[List of pastoral visits of Pope Francis#2023|2023 visit to the country]]. The President said, "the road was named after the Holy Father as a gift by South Sudanese to Pope Francis."<ref>{{cite news |title=Kiir names street after Pope Francis ahead of first-ever visit from Vatican |url=https://www.sudanspost.com/kiir-names-street-after-pope-francis-ahead-of-first-ever-visit-from-vatican/ |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=Sudans Post |date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128200748/https://www.sudanspost.com/kiir-names-street-after-pope-francis-ahead-of-first-ever-visit-from-vatican/ |archive-date=28 January 2023}}</ref>
* [[Ennio Morricone]] composed a Mass setting (''Missa Papae Francisci'') named after the Pope for the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Jesuit order. The performance aired on [[Rai 5]] and was attended by former Italian president [[Giorgio Napolitano]] and other dignitaries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=12223 |title=Oscar-winning composer pens Mass for the Pope |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604092628/https://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=12223 |archive-date=4 June 2016 |work=EWTN |date=12 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.romereports.com/2015/06/12/oscar-award-winner-ennio-morricone-composes-mass-for-pope |title=Oscar award winner, Ennio Morricone composes 'Mass' for Pope |work=Rome Reports |date=12 June 2015 |access-date=22 April 2025}}</ref><ref>[https://www.rai5.rai.it/articoli/missa-papae-francisci-morricone/30466/default.aspx Missa Papae Francisci (Morricone)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303072746/http://www.rai5.rai.it/articoli/missa-papae-francisci-morricone/30466/default.aspx |date=3 March 2017}}. RAI 5. (Napolitano appears at 32:41 and greets Morricone at 33:07) {{in lang|it}}</ref>
* The composer [[Ludger Stühlmeyer]] dedicated his work ''Klangrede – Sonnengesang des [[Francis of Assisi|Franziskus]]'', for choir (SATB) and instruments – to Pope Francis (''Suae Sanctitati Papae Francisci dedicat''). First performance: Capella Mariana 4 October 2015.<ref>In: ''Offenbarungen – Tage Neuer Kirchenmusik''. Begleitheft, München 2015, S. 15.</ref>
* The rodent species ''[[Oecomys]] franciscorum'', discovered in 2016, was named after both Francis and [[Francisco Maldonado da Silva]], a victim of the [[Peruvian Inquisition]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pardiñas |first1=U. F. J. |last2=Teta |first2=P. |last3=Salazar-Bravo |first3=J. |last4=Myers |first4=P. |last5=Galliari |first5=C. A. |year=2016 |doi=10.1093/jmammal/gyw070 |pages=1177–1196 |title=A new species of arboreal rat, genus 'Oecomys' (Rodentia, Cricetidae) from Chaco |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=97 |issue=4 |hdl=11336/36873 |hdl-access=free}}</ref>
* In the [[oratorio]] ''[[Laudato si' (oratorio)|Laudato si']]'' by [[Peter Reulein]] (music) written on a [[libretto]] by [[Helmut Schlegel]] [[Order of Friars Minor|OFM]], the figure of Francis appears. It was first performed at [[Limburg Cathedral]] in 2016.<ref name="Laudato si-score">{{cite book |last1=Reulein |first1=Peter |author-link=Peter Reulein |last2=Schlegel |first2=Helmut |author-link2=Helmut Schlegel |title=Laudato si' / Ein franziskanisches Magnificat |publisher=[[Patrick Dehm|Dehm Verlag]] |location=[[Limburg an der Lahn]] |year=2016 |isbn=978-3-943302-34-9 |page=230 |ismn=979-0-50226-047-7}}</ref><ref name="Laudato si-Liebfrauen">{{cite web |url=https://www.liebfrauen.net/meldung_volltext.php?si=5807238ed0bee&id=57f955bfc9ddd&view=&lang=&akt=musikkunstkultur_musikmeldungen&k1=main&k2=musikkunstkultur&k3=musikmeldungen&k4= |title=Festkonzert zum Jubiläum des Referates Kirchenmusik / Laudato si' – Oratorium von Peter Reulein (Uraufführung) |publisher=[[Liebfrauen, Frankfurt]] |year=2016 |language=de |access-date=25 December 2016 |archive-date=19 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019155601/https://www.liebfrauen.net/meldung_volltext.php?si=5807238ed0bee&id=57f955bfc9ddd&view=&lang=&akt=musikkunstkultur_musikmeldungen&k1=main&k2=musikkunstkultur&k3=musikmeldungen&k4=}}</ref>

==Coat of arms==
{{Main|Coat of arms of Pope Francis}}
{{Further|Papal coats of arms}}
{{Emblem table
| image = Coat of arms of Franciscus.svg
| notes = Pope Francis's initial [[grant of arms]] by the [[Holy See]] was as [[Archbishop of Buenos Aires]], when he was Cardinal Bergoglio, in which the depiction of the star and spikenard were [[tincture (heraldry)|tinctured]] [[argent]]. Following his election as [[pope]], these are now tinctured [[Or (heraldry)|or]]. The first version of Francis's coat of arms released by the [[Vatican Press Office]] depicted a five-pointed star from Bergoglio's archiepiscopal version, but his coat of arms upon election as pope assumed an eight-pointed star, with the depiction of the spikenard also being suitably differenced.<ref name="NCR">{{cite news |title=Pope stresses simplicity, ecumenism in inaugural Mass plans |url=https://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-stresses-simplicity-ecumenism-inaugural-mass-plans |newspaper=[[National Catholic Reporter]] |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013}}</ref>
| adopted = 18 March 2013
| helm = [[File:MitreBenedetto.svg|35px]] [[Mitre|Bishop's miter]]
| escutcheon = ''Azure on a sun in splendour or the [[Holy Name of Jesus|IHS Christogram]] ensigned with a [[cross pattée]] fiché piercing the [[Holy Name of Jesus|H]] gules all above three nails fanwise points to center sable, and in dexter base a [[Star (heraldry)|mullet]] of eight points and in sinister base a [[Lavandula|spikenard flower]] or.''<ref>{{cite web |title=Wedvick of Jarlsby&nbsp;– Religious/Francis, H. H. Pope 3 |url=https://wedvickofjarlsby.org/webvick-gallery/displayimage.php?album=7&pos=24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206134335/https://wedvickofjarlsby.org/webvick-gallery/displayimage.php?album=7&pos=24 |archive-date=6 December 2013}}</ref>
| motto = {{langnf|la|'''MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO'''|By giving mercy and by choosing}}
| other_elements = [[Keys of Peter]] behind the [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|shield]] and papal [[mantling]]
| symbolism = {{it col|Jesuit emblem}} Emblem of the [[Society of Jesus]], in reference to Francis being a Jesuit. This [[Charge (heraldry)|charge]] displays a radiating sun within which is the [[monogram]] of the [[Holy Name of Jesus]] in red, with a red cross surmounting the [[Christogram|H]] and three black nails below the H.<ref name="OR"/>
:{{it col|Eight-pointed star}} A long-standing symbol of the [[Virgin Mary]].
:{{it col|Spikenard}} The spikenard flower represents [[Saint Joseph]]; in [[Hispanic]] iconographic tradition Saint Joseph is often depicted holding a branch of spikenard.<ref name="VIS">{{cite web |url=https://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-miserando-atque-eligendo |title=Pope Francis: "Miserando atque eligendo"... |publisher=[[Vatican Information Service]] |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018143713/https://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-miserando-atque-eligendo}}</ref>
}}

==Media==
By 2015, there were two biographical films about Francis: ''[[Call Me Francesco]]'' (Italy, 2015), starring [[Rodrigo de la Serna]], and ''[[Francis: Pray for me]]'' (Argentina, 2015), starring [[Darío Grandinetti]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=13 January 2015 |title=Battle of the Pope Francis Biopics Begins With Two Films Shooting in Buenos Aires |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/global/battle-of-the-pope-francis-biopics-begins-with-two-films-shooting-in-buenos-aires-1201403994/ |access-date=15 May 2015}}</ref> A music album, ''[[Wake Up! (Pope Francis album)|Wake Up!]]'', consisting of speeches by Francis accompanied by music was released on 27 November 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pope Francis: "Wake Up!" |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/wake-up%21-mr0004476247 |work=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Izundu |first=Chi Chi |date=20 November 2015 |title=Pope Francis has released a rock album |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34863904/pope-francis-has-released-a-rock-album |access-date=2 March 2016 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com/ |title=Pope Francis Wake Up! Music Album with His Words and Prayers |website=Popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com |access-date=21 March 2017 |archive-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131013503/https://popefranciswakeup.believedigital.com/}}</ref>

Several documentaries have been created about Francis. ''[[Pope Francis: A Man of His Word]]'' (2018) is a documentary film co-written and directed by [[Wim Wenders]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/05/pope-francis-a-man-of-his-word-cannes-wim-wenders-documentary-pontiff-1201966111/ |title='Pope Francis: A Man of His Word': Wim Wenders Grilled the Pontiff and Left Amazed |first=Anne |last=Thompson |date=18 May 2018 |access-date=9 February 2020 |work=[[Indie Wire]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media, LLC.]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/cannes-film-review-pope-francis-a-man-of-his-word-1202809055/ |title=Film Review: 'Pope Francis: A Man of His Word' |first=Andrew |last=Barker |date=13 May 2018 |access-date=9 February 2020 |magazine=[[Variety.com]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media, LLC.]]}}</ref> On 21 October 2020, the documentary ''[[Francesco (2020 film)|Francesco]]'' directed by film producer [[Evgeny Afineevsky]] premiered.<ref name="Vatican News-2020">{{cite web |date=21 October 2020 |title="Francesco": new documentary on the life and teaching of Pope Francis |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/new-film-documentary-francesco-pope-francis-rome-film-fesival.html |access-date=23 October 2020 |website=Vatican News}}</ref><ref name="Winfield-2020">{{cite web |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=21 October 2020 |title=Francis becomes 1st pope to endorse same-sex civil unions |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-endorse-same-sex-civil-unions-eb3509b30ebac35e91aa7cbda2013de2 |access-date=22 October 2020 |website=[[AP News]]}}</ref> On 4 October 2022, the documentary ''[[The Letter: A Message for our Earth]]'' premiered on YouTube Originals, directed by Nicolas Brown and produced by Off The Fence in partnership with [[Laudato Si' Movement]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/global/youtube-doc-the-letter-a-message-for-our-earth-featuring-pope-francis-1235392482/ |title=Pope Francis YouTube Doc 'The Letter: A Message For Our Earth' Launches From Vatican City – Trailer |work=Variety |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=4 October 2022 |access-date=5 December 2022}}</ref>

Francis was played by [[Jonathan Pryce]] in the [[biographical]] film ''[[The Two Popes]]'' (2019).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/you-couldnt-help-but-be-moved-spiritually-anthony-hopkins-and-jonathan-pryce-interviewed/ |title='You couldn't help but be moved spiritually': Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce interviewed |first=Gabrielle |last=Donnelly |date=19 December 2019 |access-date=9 February 2020 |newspaper=[[Catholic Herald]]}}</ref>

==See also==
<!-- WP says entries here are a question of judgment and suggests "See also" is a place for links that would be present in a comprehensive article on the topic. Surely there are more. -->
{{Portal|Argentina|Biography|Catholic Church|Christianity}}
* [[List of popes]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="opening">{{cite news |url=https://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/12/08/opening-the-holy-year-francis-says-mercy-always-trumps-judgment/ |title=Opening the Holy Year, Francis says mercy always trumps judgment |first=Inés |last=San Martín |date=8 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |work=Crux |archive-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105174730/https://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/12/08/opening-the-holy-year-francis-says-mercy-always-trumps-judgment/}}</ref>

<ref name="Misericordiae">[https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco_bolla_20150411_misericordiae-vultus.html Misericordiae Vultus – Bull of indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (11 April 2015)]. ''The Holy See''. Retrieved 8 May 2015.</ref>

<ref name="burke">{{cite news |url=https://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/03/pope-i-was-once-a-bar-bouncer/ |title=Pope: I was once a bar bouncer |last=Burke |first=Daniel |work=CNN |date=3 December 2013 |access-date=3 December 2013 |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223100810/https://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/03/pope-i-was-once-a-bar-bouncer/}}</ref>

<ref name="Vatican Today-2013">{{cite web |title=New Pope Francis visits St.&nbsp;Mary Major, collects suitcases and pays bill at hotel |publisher=The Vatican Today |date=14 March 2013 |url=https://www.news.va/en/news/new-pope-francis-visits-st-mary-major-collects-sui |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317025225/https://www.news.va/en/news/new-pope-francis-visits-st-mary-major-collects-sui |archive-date=17 March 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="The Guardian-2013a">{{cite news |title=Pope Francis explains decision to take St&nbsp;Francis of Assisi's name |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=16 March 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/16/pope-francis-st-francis-assisi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317092441/https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/16/pope-francis-st-francis-assisi |archive-date=17 March 2013 |location=London}}</ref>

<ref name="The Guardian-2013b">{{cite news |title=Pope Francis's missing lung should not be a problem, say doctors |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=14 March 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-missing-lung-doctors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314201720/https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/14/pope-francis-missing-lung-doctors |archive-date=14 March 2013 |location=London}}</ref>

<ref name="Vatican: It's Pope Francis, not Pope Francis I">{{cite news |title=Vatican: It's Pope Francis, not Pope Francis&nbsp;I |first=Emily |last=Alpert |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=13 March 2013 |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-vatican-pope-francis-name-20130313,0,1309501.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315094438/https://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-vatican-pope-francis-name-20130313,0,1309501.story |archive-date=15 March 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="Park-2013">{{cite magazine |title=Why Pope Francis Only Has One Lung |first=Alice |last=Park |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=13 March 2013 |url=https://healthland.time.com/2013/03/13/why-pope-francis-only-has-one-lung/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314175755/https://healthland.time.com/2013/03/13/why-pope-francis-only-has-one-lung/ |archive-date=14 March 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Chua">{{cite magazine |last=Chua |first=Howard |url=https://poy.time.com/2013/12/11/person-of-the-year-pope-francis-the-peoples-pope/print/ |title=TIME's Person of the Year 2013 Pope Francis, The People's Pope |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=11 December 2013 |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="Remeseira">{{cite news |last=Remeseira |first=Claudio Iván |title=Pope Francis: A humble and outspoken man, and technically also Italian |publisher=[[National Broadcasting Company|NBCLatino]] |date=14 March 2013 |url=https://nbclatino.com/2013/03/14/pope-francis-a-humble-and-outspoken-man-and-technically-also-italian/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408213633/https://nbclatino.com/2013/03/14/pope-francis-a-humble-and-outspoken-man-and-technically-also-italian/ |archive-date=8 April 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="Garrido">{{cite news |last=Garrido |first=J. |title=Vida y trayectoria de Bergoglio en seis capítulos |url=https://diario.latercera.com/2013/03/16/01/contenido/reportajes/25-132222-9-vida-y-trayectoria-de-bergoglio-en-seis-capitulos.shtml |access-date=24 March 2013 |publisher=La Tercera |date=16 March 2013 |language=es |archive-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320040835/https://diario.latercera.com/2013/03/16/01/contenido/reportajes/25-132222-9-vida-y-trayectoria-de-bergoglio-en-seis-capitulos.shtml}}</ref>

<ref name="biografia">{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/biography/documents/papa-francesco-biografia-bergoglio_en.html |title=Vatican Web site, from L'Osservatore Romano, Year LXIII, number 12: biography of the Holy Father Francis |publisher=Holy See |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="Sivori">{{cite news |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1564076-el-extasis-familiar-por-el-loco-de-la-guerra |title=Regina María Sívori, su mamá |newspaper=La Nación |date=17 March 2013 |access-date=19 March 2013 |archive-date=18 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218050448/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1564076-el-extasis-familiar-por-el-loco-de-la-guerra |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last=Rice-Oxley |first=Mark |title=Pope Francis: the humble pontiff with practical approach to poverty |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/13/jorge-mario-bergoglio-pope-poverty |access-date=13 March 2013 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=13 March 2013 |location=London}}</ref>

<ref name="Donovan">{{cite news |last=Donovan |first=Jeffrey |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-13/argentina-s-cardinal-jorge-bergoglio-is-elected-pope-francis-i.html |title=Argentina's Cardinal Bergoglio Is Elected Pope Francis |publisher=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] |date=13 March 2013 |access-date=13 March 2013 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

<ref name="time">[https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/31822/pope-francis-now-is-the-time-for-mercy Pope Francis: Now is the time for mercy :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)]. (11 April 2015). Retrieved 8 May 2015.</ref>

<ref name="aicabio">{{cite news |title=Bergoglio, sobre todo 'pastor', tanguero y simpatizante de San Lorenzo |language=es |url=https://www.aica.org/5517-bergoglio-sobre-todo-pastor-tanguero-simpatizante-de-san-lorenzo.html |access-date=19 March 2013 |publisher=Agencia Informativa Católica Argentina |date=13 March 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="techniciandegree">{{cite journal |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1562738-bergoglio-un-sacerdote-jesuita-de-carrera |journal=La Nación |title=Jorge Bergoglio, un sacerdote jesuita de carrera |trans-title=Jorge Bergoglio, a career Jesuit priest |date=13 March 2013 |language=es |access-date=14 March 2013 |archive-date=16 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216141857/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1562738-bergoglio-un-sacerdote-jesuita-de-carrera}}</ref>

<ref name="Clarin">{{cite news |title=Su etapa de laboratorista |url=https://contenidos2.clarin.com/edicion-electronica/20130317/index.html#/8/ |access-date=17 March 2013 |newspaper=Clarín |date=17 March 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |last=Lifschitz |first=Alejandro |title=Argentina's pope a modest man focused on the poor |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-succession-bergoglio-idUSBRE92C15X20130313 |access-date=14 March 2013 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=13 March 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |last1=Gallagher |first1=Delia |last2=Burke |first2=Daniel |title=Conservatives accuse the Pope of spreading heresy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/25/world/pope-heresy/index.html |access-date=2 December 2017 |work=[[CNN]] |date=26 September 2017}}</ref>
}}

==Further reading==
{{Library resources box|by=yes|viaf=68559410}}
* {{Cite book |last=Allen |first=John L. |year=2015 |title=The Francis Miracle: Inside the Transformation of the Pope and the Church |location=New York |publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |isbn=978-1-61893-131-3}}
* {{Cite book |last=Borghesi |first=Massimo |date=2018 |orig-date=Italian original, 2017 |title=The Mind of Pope Francis: Jorge Mario Bergoglio's Intellectual Journey |translator-last=Hudock |translator-first=Barry |location=Collegeville, Minnesota |publisher=Liturgical Press |isbn=978-0-8146-8790-1}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Castagnaro |first1=Mauro |author-link=Mauro Castagnaro |last2=Eugenio |first2=Ludovica |year=2013 |title=Il Dissenso Soffocato: un'agenda per Papa Francesco |trans-title=Dissent Stifled: an agenda for Pope Francis |location=Molfetta, Italy |publisher=La Meridiana |isbn=978-88-6153-324-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Colonna |first=Marcantonio |author-link=Henry Sire |year=2018 |title-link=The Dictator Pope |title=The Dictator Pope: The Inside Story of the Francis Papacy |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Regnery Publishing |isbn=978-1-62157-832-1}}
* {{Cite book |last=Douthat |first=Ross |author-link=Ross Douthat |year=2018 |title=To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=New York |isbn=978-1-5011-4692-3}}
* {{Cite book |last=Lawler |first=Philip F. |year=2018 |title=Lost Shepherd: How Pope Francis Is Misleading His Flock |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Regnery Gateway |isbn=978-1-62157-722-5}}
* {{Cite web |last=Liedl |first=Jonathan |title=Francis' Pontificate Turns 10: Outward-Facing Emphasis Has Shaken Up Church's Inner Equilibrium |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/francis-pontificate-turns-10-uil8q6nh |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=[[National Catholic Register]] |date=6 March 2023}}
* {{Cite book |last=Willey |first=David |year=2015 |title=The Promise of Francis: The Man, the Pope, and the Challenge of Change |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-1-4767-8905-7}}

==External links==
* [https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en.html Vatican webpage about Pope Francis]
* {{C-SPAN|69980}}
* {{IMDb name|5571029}}

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{{s-rel|ca}}
{{s-bef|before=Theodor Hubrich}}
{{s-tul|title=[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Oca|Bishop of Auca]]|years=20 May 1992 – 3 June 1997}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Archbishop of Buenos Aires]]|years=28 February 1998 – 13 March 2013}}
{{s-aft|rows=3|after=[[Mario Aurelio Poli]]}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Ordinariate for Eastern Catholics in Argentina|Ordinary for the Faithful of the Eastern Rites]]|years=6 November 1998 – 13 March 2013}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Cardinal-Priest]] of [[San Roberto Bellarmino]]|years=21 February 2001 – 13 March 2013}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Episcopal Conference of Argentina|President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference]]|years=8 November 2005 – 8 November 2011}}
{{s-aft|after=José María Arancedo}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Benedict&nbsp;XVI]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Pope]]|years=13 March 2013 – 21 April 2025}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Leo&nbsp;XIV]]}}
{{s-end}}

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