:Pope Francis

File:Jorge Mario Bergoglio attended a salesian school between 1948 and 1949.jpg

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936{{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}} in Flores, a neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. He was the eldest of the five children of Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sívori. Mario Bergoglio was an Italian immigrant and an accountant from Piedmont.{{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}} Regina Sívori was a housewife born in Buenos Aires to a family of northern Italian origin. Mario Bergoglio's family left Italy in 1929 to escape the fascist rule of Benito Mussolini.{{RP|page=5}} According to María Elena Bergoglio, the Pope's only living sibling, the family did not emigrate for economic reasons. His other siblings were Oscar Adrián, Marta Regina, and Alberto Horacio.{{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}}{{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}} His niece, Cristina Bergoglio, is a painter based in Madrid, Spain.{{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}}{{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 |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}}

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 and graduated with a chemical technician's diploma.{{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}}{{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}} In that capacity, he spent several years working in the food section of Hickethier-Bachmann Laboratory where he worked under Esther Ballestrino. Earlier, he had been a bouncer and a janitor.

When he was 21 years old, after life-threatening pneumonia and three cysts, Bergoglio had part of a lung excised.

File:Pope Francis at an Argentine seminary where he studied for the priesthood in the 1950s.webp

While on his way to celebrate the Spring Day, Bergoglio passed by a church to go to confession and was inspired by a priest.Sergio Rubin; Francesca Ambrogetti, Pope Francis – Conversations with Jorge Bergoglio. pp. 45–46 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. Bergoglio said that, as a young seminarian, he had a crush on a girl and briefly doubted his religious career.{{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}} As a Jesuit novice, he studied the humanities in Santiago, Chile.{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}} In 1960, Bergoglio obtained a 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, from 1964 to 1965. In 1966, he taught the same courses at the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires.{{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}}

In 1967, Bergoglio began his theological studies at Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel. On 13 December 1969, he was 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.{{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}}

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.

He was named provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina that July for a six-year term which ended in 1979.{{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}} In 1973, he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but his stay was shortened by the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War.{{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}}

After the completion of his term of office, he was named, in 1980, the rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel where he had studied.{{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}} 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.{{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}} He then served at San Miguel for six years until 1986 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.{{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}}

Bergoglio then spent several months at the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology in Frankfurt, Germany, and considered possible dissertation topics.{{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}} 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}}.

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

Bergoglio was named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and was consecrated on 27 June 1992 as titular bishop of Auca,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 }}. with Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, archbishop of Buenos Aires, serving as principal consecrator.{{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}} He chose his episcopal motto to be {{lang|la|Miserando atque eligendo}},{{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}} drawn from Saint Bede's homily on Matthew 9:9–13: "because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him".{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

On 3 June 1997, Bergoglio was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires.

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} This work led to him being referred to as the "{{lang|es|villero}} bishop", sometimes translated as the "slum bishop".{{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}}

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 bankruptcy, and enforced stricter fiscal discipline.{{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}} On 6 November 1998, while remaining archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio was named Ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Argentina, who lacked a prelate of their own church. 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.

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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} 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.

File:Card. Jorge Bergoglio SJ, 2008.jpg

Bergoglio regularly celebrated the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual in jails, hospitals, retirement homes, and slums.{{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}} Bergoglio continued to be the archbishop of Buenos Aires after his elevation to the cardinalate in 2001. In 2007, shortly after Benedict XVI introduced new rules for pre–Vatican II liturgical forms, Bergoglio established a weekly Mass in this extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.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 }}.{{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}}

On 8 November 2005, Bergoglio was elected president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three-year term (2005–2008),{{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}} and re-elected on 11 November 2008.{{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}} 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. 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.{{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}} When he turned 75 in December 2011, Bergoglio submitted his resignation as archbishop of Buenos Aires to Pope Benedict XVI as required by canon law. As he had no coadjutor archbishop, he stayed in office, waiting for the Vatican to appoint a replacement.{{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}}

As a bishop, he was no longer subject to his Jesuit superior.{{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}} From then on, he no longer visited Jesuit houses and was in "virtual estrangement from the Jesuits" until after his election as pope.

File:Catéchèse 18 juin 2008 par le cardinal Bergoglio -2.jpg]]

On 21 February 2001, Pope John Paul II made Archbishop Bergoglio a cardinal, assigning him the 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.{{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}} 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 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,{{cite web |title=X Ordinary General Assembly (30 September – 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}} and, according to the Catholic Herald, created "a favourable impression as a man open to communion and dialogue".{{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}}{{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}}

Cardinal Bergoglio was known for his personal humility, doctrinal conservatism, and commitment to social justice. His 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.{{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}} He limited his time in Rome to "lightning visits".{{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}}

After Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005, Bergoglio attended his funeral and was considered one of the {{lang|la|papabile}} for succession to the papacy.{{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}} He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. In the National Catholic Reporter, John L. Allen Jr. reported that Bergoglio was a frontrunner in the 2005 conclave.{{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}}{{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}} In September 2005, the 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.{{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}}{{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. The claims were based on a diary purportedly belonging to an anonymous cardinal who had been present at the conclave.Rubin, p. 13 According to the Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli, this number of votes had no precedent for a Latin American {{lang|la|papabile}}. 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.{{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) According to Tornielli, Bergoglio made this request to prevent the conclave from delaying too much in the election of a pope.Rubin, p. 15

As a cardinal, Bergoglio was associated with Communion and Liberation, a Catholic evangelical lay movement of the type known as associations of the faithful. He sometimes made appearances at the annual gathering known as the Rimini Meeting held during the late summer months in Italy. In 2005, Cardinal Bergoglio authorized the request for beatification—the third of four steps toward sainthood—for six members of the Pallottine community murdered in the San Patricio Church massacre.{{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}}{{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}} Bergoglio also ordered an investigation into the murders; 1984 testimony indicated that they were perpetrated by members of the Argentine Navy on the orders of Rear Admiral Rubén Chamorro.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. 160Martin 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

{{See also|Dirty War}}

Bergoglio was the subject of allegations regarding the Argentine Navy's kidnapping of two 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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. 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.

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".{{cite news |title=Pope's activity in Dirty War Draws Scrutiny |date=17 March 2013 |work=Chicago Tribune |page=27 |author=Miroff, Nick}} 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.{{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}} 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."{{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}}{{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}}

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. 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. 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.{{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}} Alicia Oliveira, a former Argentine judge, also reported that Bergoglio helped people flee Argentina during the rule of the junta.{{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}} Since Francis became pope, Gonzalo Mosca{{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}} and José Caravias{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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." 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."{{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}}{{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}} 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 newspaper:

There is no information and Justice couldn't prove it. I was in the APDH during all the dictatorship years and I received hundreds of testimonies. Bergoglio was never mentioned. It was the same in the CONADEP. Nobody mentioned him as instigator or as anything.{{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 |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}}

Ricardo Lorenzetti, the president of the Argentine Supreme Court, said that Bergoglio was "completely innocent" of the accusations.{{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}} Historian Uki Goñi pointed that, during early 1976, the military junta still had a good image among society, and that the scale of the political repression was not known until much later; Bergoglio would have had little reason to suspect that the detention of Yorio and Jalics could end in their deaths.{{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}}

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.Rubin, p. 19 During Argentina's 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.Reato, p. 160

In the 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.Reato, pp. 222–223

During police repression of the riots of December 2001, Bergoglio contacted the Ministry of the Interior and asked that the police distinguish rioters and vandals from peaceful protesters.Rubin, pp. 18–19

File:Pope Francis with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner 4.jpg, holding traditional Argentine 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.{{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}} Kirchner celebrated the national day elsewhere the following year and the Mass in the cathedral was suspended.{{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}} 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.Reato, pp. 224–225 Kirchner considered Bergoglio as a political rival until he died in 2010.{{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}} 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 disturbances in the country's agricultural regions, which the government interpreted as a support for anti-government demonstrators. The campaign to enact same-sex marriage legislation was a particularly tense period in their relations.

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 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 shift" in her relations with him and fully embraced the Francis phenomenon.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} {{lang|es|Página 12}} then removed their controversial articles about Bergoglio from their web page as a result of this change.{{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}}

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Vatican II revisited|Theology of Pope Francis#Church leadership}}

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| footer = The gold star represents the Virgin Mary, the grape-like plant—the spikenard—is associated with Saint Joseph, and the IHS is the symbol of the Jesuits.{{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 Telegraph |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 |location=London}}{{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}}

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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.Caleb K. Bell (14 March 2013). "Why the first Jesuit pope is a big deal". Religion News Service. Retrieved 8 June 2015. He was also the first from the Americas,{{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 |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}} and the first from the Southern Hemisphere.{{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}} Many media reported him as being the first non-European pope, but he was the 11th; the previous was Gregory III from Syria who died in 741. Although Francis was not born in Europe, he was ethnically European; his father and maternal grandparents were from northern Italy.{{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}}

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".[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 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.{{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}} The next day, he visited Cardinal Jorge María Mejía in the hospital and chatted with patients and staff.{{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 |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}}

In addition to his 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),{{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}} French,{{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}} Portuguese,{{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}} and English;{{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}}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 he also understood Piedmontese and some Genoese Ligurian.{{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}}

Francis chose not to live in the official papal residence in the Apostolic Palace but instead remained in the Vatican guest house in a suite in which he received visitors and held meetings. He was the first pope since Pope Pius X to live outside the papal apartments.{{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}} Francis appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace for the Sunday Angelus.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

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).{{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}}

{{Main|2013 papal conclave|Papal inauguration of Pope Francis}}

File:Papa Francisco recién elegido 2.jpg

Bergoglio was elected pope on 13 March 2013,{{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}}{{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}} the second day of the 2013 papal conclave, after which he took the papal name Francis.{{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}} Francis was elected on the fifth ballot.{{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}} The {{lang|la|Habemus papam}} announcement was delivered by the cardinal protodeacon, Jean-Louis Tauran.{{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}} 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".{{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 Telegraph |location=London}}

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.{{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}} 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{{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}} used by previous popes.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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. Peter's Square. Before blessing the crowd, he delivered a brief speech, greeting those in St. 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 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.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."{{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}}

Francis held his papal inauguration on 19 March 2013 in St. Peter's Square. He celebrated Mass in the presence of political and religious leaders from around the world.{{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}} In his homily, Francis focused on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the liturgical day on which the Mass was celebrated.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

File:Pope Francis among the people at St. Peter's Square - 12 May 2013.jpg, 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 Saint Francis of Assisi and had done so because he was especially concerned for the well-being of the poor.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. 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.{{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}}{{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}} Bergoglio had previously expressed his admiration for St. 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."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

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 I"; that is, no regnal number was used for him. If there is a Francis II, then Francis will be known as Francis I. Therewith, it remains the first time since Lando's 913–914 pontificate that a canonical pope holds a name not used by a predecessor.{{efn|John Paul I, elected in 1978, took a new combination of already used names, in honor of his two immediate predecessors, John XXIII and Paul VI.{{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}} }}

Francis also said that some cardinal electors had jokingly suggested to him that he should choose either "Adrian", since Adrian VI had been a reformer of the church, or "Clement", to settle the score with Clement XIV who had suppressed the Jesuit order.[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 – 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 }} – vatican.va – Paul VI Audience Hall Saturday, 16 March 2013Marco 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. Bergoglio, had he been elected in 2005, would have chosen the pontifical name of "John XXIV" in honor of John 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."{{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 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}}

File:Francis Inauguration fc10.jpg

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.{{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}} He also abolished the €25,000 annual bonus paid to cardinals serving on the Board of Supervisors for the Vatican bank.{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}}

On the first 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 the ritual of foot washing is a sign that he is at their service.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 This was the first time that a pope had included women in this ritual, although he had already done so when he was archbishop. One of the male and one of the female prisoners were Muslim.

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.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 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. Although the Vatican had prepared greetings in 65 languages, Francis chose not to read them. According to the Vatican, the pope "at least for now, feels at ease using Italian".[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

In 2013, Francis initially reaffirmed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's programme to reform the US Leadership Conference of Women Religious{{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}} which had been initiated under his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. The New York Times reported that the Vatican had formed the opinion in 2012 that the sisters' group had some feminist influences, focused too much on ending social and economic injustice and not enough on stopping abortion, and permitted speakers who questioned church doctrine.{{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}} In April 2015 the investigation was brought to a close. While the timing of the closure may have anticipated a visit by Francis to the US in September 2015, it was noted that the sisters' emphasis is close to that of Francis.[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

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Decentralization}}

File:FrancisQuitoR.png, Ecuador, 2015|254x254px]]

Francis oversaw synods on the family (2014), on youth (2018), and on 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.{{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}} Some analysts see the creation of a truly synodal church as likely to become the greatest contribution to Francis's papacy.{{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}}

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.

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.{{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 |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}} There had long been allegations of corruption and money laundering connected with the bank.{{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}}{{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}} Francis appointed a commission to advise him about reform of the Bank, and the finance consulting firm Promontory Financial Group was assigned to carry out a comprehensive investigation of all customer contacts.{{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}} 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 XVI's papacy.{{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}} 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.{{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}} There was uncertainty about how far reforms could succeed.{{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}}

{{Main|Pope Francis bibliography}}

Pope Francis wrote a variety of books, encyclicals, and other texts, including a memoir, Hope.{{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 |publisher=Publisher's 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}} On 29 June 2013, Francis published the encyclical {{lang|la|Lumen fidei}}, which was largely the work of Benedict XVI but awaited a final draft at his retirement.{{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}} On 24 November 2013, Francis published his first major letter as pope, the apostolic exhortation {{lang|la|Evangelii gaudium}},{{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}} which he described as the programmatic of his papacy.{{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}} On 18 June 2015, he published his first own encyclical {{lang|la|Laudato si'}} concerning care for the planet.{{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}} On 8 April 2016, Francis published his second apostolic exhortation, {{lang|la|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. 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.{{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}}

A further apostolic exhortation, {{lang|la|Gaudete et exsultate}} (Rejoice and be glad), was published on 19 March 2018, dealing with "the call to holiness" for all persons. He counters contemporary versions of the gnostic and Pelagian heresies and describes how Jesus's beatitudes call people to "go against the flow".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

In February 2019, Francis acknowledged that priests and bishops were sexually abusing religious sisters.{{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}} He addressed this and the clergy sex abuse scandal by convening a summit on clergy sexual abuse in February 2019.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

On 4 October 2020, Francis published the encyclical {{lang|la|Fratelli tutti}} on fraternity and social friendship.{{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}}

On 8 December 2020, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis published the apostolic letter {{lang|la|Patris corde}} ("With a Father's Heart").{{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}} To mark the occasion, the Pope proclaimed a "Year of Saint Joseph" from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021 on the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.{{cite news |date=8 December 2020 |title=Pope Francis proclaims 'Year of St 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}}

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.{{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}}

{{Main|Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue of Pope Francis}}

File:Stamps of Azerbaijan, 2016-1283s.jpg 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.{{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 |language=en |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}}

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Clericalism}}

In January 2014, Francis said that he would appoint fewer monsignors 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 priests 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.{{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/}}

{{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]]

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 executed by the Ottomans in 1480{{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}}—as well as the religious sisters Laura of St. Catherine of Siena and María Guadalupe García Zavala.{{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}} In this first canonization, Francis surpassed the record of Pope John Paul II in canonizing the most saints in a pontificate.{{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}}

Saints the Pope canonized include Louis Martin and Marie-Azélie Guérin (the first married couple to be named as saints together),{{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/}} Mother Teresa,{{cite web |title=Mother Teresa officially becomes a saint at canonization ceremony in Vatican City |date=5 September 2016 |publisher=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}} and Óscar Romero.{{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 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}} Francis canonized three of his predecessors: John XXIII, John Paul II and Paul VI.{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/27/world/pope-canonization/index.html |work=CNN |title=Sainthood for John Paul II, John 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}} Francis also confirmed Pope John Paul I to be Venerable{{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 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}} and Blessed.{{cite news |title=Pope Francis beatifies his predecessor John Paul 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}}

Francis declared two new Doctors of the Church: Saint Gregory of Narek in 2015,{{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. 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}} and Saint Irenaeus of Lyon in 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/pope-receives-proposal-declare-st-irenaeus-doctor-church |title=Pope declares St. 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}}

{{Main|Cardinals created by Francis}}

Francis created 163 cardinals from 76 countries across ten consistories. He held his first consistory in February 2014, a rare occasion in which he publicly appeared with his predecessor, Benedict XVI.[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[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 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 XVI, and six created by John Paul II.{{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}}

Francis's appointments made the College of Cardinals less European-dominated.{{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}} He appointed many cardinals from developing countries, including some of the world's poorest, and from countries on the peripheries of the church.{{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}}

Compared to his predecessors, Francis made fewer appointments of Roman Curia officials to the cardinalate. This was part of a general trend under Francis to a more decentralized church.{{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}} Compared to his predecessor Benedict, who preferred to appoint academically inclined churchmen as cardinal, Francis favored cardinals with a more pastoral focus, especially those known for a focus on the poor and marginalized.{{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}} Francis also dropped the traditional custom of always appointing the archbishops of certain historically prominent sees (such as the Patriarch of Venice and Archbishop of Milan) as cardinals.

{{Main|Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy}}

File:A Szentév kapujának megnyitása 2015 - Opening of the Holy Door 2015 4.jpeg, 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 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.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

The Holy Doors 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.{{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}} 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.

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.{{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}}{{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}}

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

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis canceled his regular general audiences at St. Peter's Square to keep crowds from gathering and spreading the virus, which had seriously affected Italy.{{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}} He encouraged priests to visit patients and health workers;{{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}} urged the faithful not to forget the poor during the time of crisis;{{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}} offered prayers for people with the virus in China;{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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 Italy being under a quarantine lockdown, Francis pleaded "not to leave the ... people alone" and worked to partially reverse the closures.{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}}

On 27 March, Francis gave an extraordinary benediction {{lang|la|Urbi et Orbi}}.{{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}} In his homily on calming the storm in the Gospel of Mark, Francis described the setting:

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'.{{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}}

Francis maintained that getting COVID vaccination was a moral obligation.{{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}} In response to the economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis said that it was the time to consider implementing a universal basic wage.{{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}}

Francis committed the Catholic Church to support worldwide abolition of the death penalty.{{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}} 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 dignity of the person" and that the Catholic Church "works with determination for its abolition worldwide".{{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}} 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."

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."{{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}}

{{See also|Women in the Catholic Church}}

Francis categorically rejected the ordination of women as priests. 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.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). Its report was not made public,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). but Francis said in 2019 that the commission was unable to come to a consensus.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). In April 2020, Francis empaneled a new commission, led by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi with a new membership, to study the issue.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). Francis delayed a decision on the issue for several years. In interviews in late 2023 and 2024, he appeared to reject the idea of women deacons, saying that "holy orders is reserved for men."{{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}} Francis said that "the fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation, because her place is much more important" and that women had a charism separate from "the ministerial way."

In January 2021, Francis issued Spiritus Domini, allowing bishops to institute women to the ministries of acolyte and 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 ministries are fundamentally distinct from those reserved to ordained clergy.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} The following month, Francis appointed women to several positions previously held only by men: a French member of the Xaviere Missionary Sisters, Nathalie Becquart, was appointed co-undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, and Italian magistrate Catia Summaria became the first woman Promoter of Justice in the Vatican's Court of Appeals.{{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}}

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),{{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}} marking the first time women are allowed to vote at any Catholic Synod of Bishops.{{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}}

Francis was mandated by electing cardinals to sort out Vatican finances following scandals during the papacies of Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul 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.{{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}}

Early in 2022, Francis expressed "shame and sorrow" for the Catholic Church's role in abuses against the Indigenous peoples in Canada.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).{{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}} Late, in July 2022, Francis made an apostolic journey to Canada, where he expressed sorrow, indignation, and shame over the church's abuse of Canadian Indigenous children in residential schools.{{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}} Francis described the Canadian Catholic Church's role as a "cultural genocide." He apologized for the church's role in "projects of cultural destruction" and forced assimilation. Near the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School, the site of a search for unmarked graves, Francis said: "I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples." He visited the Ermineskin Cree Nation's cemetery at its Maskwacis reserve. Francis promised a serious investigation into the history of abuse.

{{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. However, the Supreme Court of Argentina upheld the conviction and prison sentence against Grassi in March 2017.{{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 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/}}

Early in his papacy, Francis chose a more lenient sentence for Mauro Inzoli, an Italian priest accused of child sexual abuse.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). A church tribunal had ruled that Inzoli should be laicized (defrocked),{{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}} and he was defrocked in 2012 by Francis's predecessor Benedict. 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." Inzoli was convicted of sexually abusing children in Italian civil court in 2016, and sentenced to prison. 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." In the same remarks, he commented that the church "arrived late" in dealing with sexual abuse cases.

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.{{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}} 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, and Cristián Caro.{{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}}

In 2019, Francis defrocked Theodore McCarrick, a former archbishop of Washington, who maintained a prominent position in the church for decades despite repeated reports of sexual misconduct against him dating back to the 1980s. In 2017, after renewed allegations against McCarrick, Francis commissioned a Vatican investigation, which found that McCarrick had sexually molested both adults and minors.{{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}} 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.[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). Francis authorized the release, in November 2020, of the report of the Vatican's two-year investigation into McCarrick's career. The report largely faulted Pope John Paul II, who appointed McCarrick as archbishop in 2000 and accepted the churchman's denials of sexual abuse, despite multiple reports. The report also found that Pope Benedict 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. 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.

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.{{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 |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}} 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.{{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}} 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.

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".{{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}}

In November 2022, French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard admitted to having sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in the 1980s in Marseille.{{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}} 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".{{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}}{{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}} Francis did not deprive Ricard of his status and privileges as a cardinal.{{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}}

Francis visited Ireland in 2018, marking the first papal tour of the country since John Paul II's historic trip in 1979.{{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}} He has apologized for sexual abuses by clergy in the United States and Ireland.{{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}}

The case of Slovenian 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} Rupnik was expelled from the Society of Jesus in 2023 for disobedience rather than for the abuse allegations and was later incardinated into the 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 Lenten meditation for priests working in the Roman Curia, including Pope Francis and Luis Ladaria Ferrer, and met privately with Pope Francis in January 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} In January 2025, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández confirmed the DDF was working to establish an independent tribunal to move forward with judicial proceedings.{{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}}

{{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 social justice.{{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}}

Since 2016, criticism against Francis by theological conservatives had intensified.{{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}}{{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}}{{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/}}{{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}}{{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}} One commentator had described the conservative resistance against Francis as "unique in its visibility" in recent church history.{{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}} Some have explained the level of disagreement as due to his going beyond theoretical principles to pastoral discernment.{{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}}

{{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.{{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}} 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".{{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}}

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Church governance|}}

File:Düsseldorf Rosenmontag 2014 IMG 1350 (12915484354).jpg, Düsseldorf, 2014]]

Francis called for decentralization of governance away from Rome and for a synodal manner of decision-making in dialogue with the people.{{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}} He strongly opposed clericalism{{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}} and made women full members of the church's dicasteries in Rome.{{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}}

{{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).{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}} In 2019, he stated that ecocide was a sin and should be made "a fifth category of crimes against peace".{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

{{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 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.{{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/}} He had praised liberation theology founder Gustavo Gutierrez.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

In September 2024, Francis renewed calls for a universal basic income, as well as higher taxes on billionaires.{{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}}

{{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".{{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.{{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}}{{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}} 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".{{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}}

{{Main|Pope Francis and LGBTQ topics}}

While serving as the 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.{{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}} A letter he wrote in that campaign was criticized for using "medieval" and "obscurantist" language.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} A church source quoted in the Argentine newspaper La Nación called the letter a strategic error that contributed to the bill's success.{{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}}

As Pope, Francis marked a more accommodative tone on some LGBTQ topics than his predecessors.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} In other public statements, Francis emphasized the need to accept, welcome, and accompany LGBTQ people,{{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}}{{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}} including LGBTQ children.{{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}}{{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}} Francis reiterated traditional Catholic teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman,{{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}}{{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}} but supported civil unions as legal protections for same-sex couples.{{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}} Under his pontificate, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith confirmed that transgender people can be baptised.{{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}}{{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}} The blessing of individuals in same-sex relationships was allowed by the document {{Lang|la|Fiducia supplicans}}. Francis privately met with many LGBTQ people and activists. In 2013, Francis was named Person of the Year by The Advocate, an American LGBTQ magazine.{{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}}

He described gender theory and children's education on gender-affirming surgery as "ideological colonization".{{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}} In September 2015, Francis met with Kim Davis, a county clerk who was jailed for six days for contempt of court for refusing to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples,{{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}}{{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}} and in August 2018, Francis was criticized for suggesting that gay children seek psychiatric treatment.{{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}}

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.{{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}} Francis repeated this stance the following month.

Francis had regularly been accused by conservatives of having a "soft spot" for leftist populist movements.{{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}}

File:Raul-castro-papa-francisco.jpg, 2015]]

After Francis's visit to Cuba in 2015, Catholic Yale historian Carlos Eire said Francis had a "preferential option for the oppressors" in Cuba.{{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}} Francis had expressed criticism towards right-wing populism.{{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}} Since 2016, Francis had been contrasted with US president Donald Trump,{{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}} with some conservative critics drawing comparisons between the two.{{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}}{{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}} 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."{{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}}

In response to criticism from Venezuela's bishops, President Nicolás Maduro said in 2017 that he had the support of Francis.{{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 |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/}}{{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 |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/}} 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."{{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}} In January 2019, 20 former presidents in Latin America wrote a letter to Francis criticizing his Christmas address regarding the ongoing 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.{{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}} Francis had sought peace in the crisis without picking a side.{{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}}

Francis took a more conciliatory approach toward the People's Republic of China than any previous pope.{{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}} He continued the Vatican's longstanding diplomatic recognition of the Republic of China (Taiwan), rather than the People's Republic of China; Vatican City is one of just 12 countries to formally recognize Taiwan.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).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). In 2018, however, Francis approved a provisional Vatican-China agreement intended to normalize the situation of China's Catholics who numbered approximately 10 million as of 2024. Before, the Chinese government claimed the authority to appoint bishops, without papal approval, through the state-controlled Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, in contravention of longstanding church doctrine. 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; in return, the Chinese government recognized the pope as the supreme head of the Catholic Church.{{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}} The agreement was renewed for two years in 2020.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).

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.{{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}}{{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}} Critics said that the 2018 agreement "sold out" Chinese Catholics by accepting infringements on religious freedom, undermining the Vatican's spiritual authority.

The Chinese government repeatedly violated the 2018 deal with the Vatican.{{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}} 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.{{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}} From the signing of the agreement until 2022, only six Catholic bishops in China were appointed. In November 2022, the Vatican publicly accused China of violating the agreement by installing John Peng Weizhao as an auxiliary bishop without Vatican approval. In April 2023, the Chinese government also installed Joseph Shen Bin as 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." The Vatican and the Chinese government renewed the agreement in 2022 and again in 2024.{{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}}{{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}}

In November 2020, Francis named China's Uyghur minority among a list of the world's persecuted peoples. He wrote: "I think often of persecuted peoples: the Rohingya [Muslims in Myanmar], the poor Uighurs, the Yazidi—what 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".{{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}}

In 2019, during the 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 in Chile and in France.{{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}}

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 sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist for divorced couples who have civilly remarried.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}}, retrieved 29 November 2017 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."{{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}}

The exhortation had been implemented in different ways by bishops around the world.{{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}} In July 2017, a group of conservative clergy, academics, and laymen signed a document labeled as a "Filial Correction" of Francis, which criticized the Pope for promoting what it described as seven heretical propositions through various words, actions, and omissions during his pontificate.{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}} 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".{{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}}{{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}} Catholic theologian Chad Pecknold wrote that this sentence was "puzzling, and potentially problematic".{{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}} Some Catholic observers tried to understand it as an allusion to the "permissive will" of God, allowing evil on earth. Pecknold wrote that the diversity of religions might also be "evidence of our natural desire to know God". Bishop Athanasius Schneider claims that Pope Francis clarified to him that he was referring to "the permissive will of God".{{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}}

In July 2021, Francis issued {{lang|la|motu proprio}}, the apostolic letter titled {{lang|la|Traditionis custodes}}, which reversed the decision of his predecessor Benedict XVI in {{lang|la|Summorum Pontificum}} and imposed new restrictions on the use of the Traditional Latin Mass. The letter returned to the bishops the power to grant or ban the Latin Mass in their dioceses, and required newly ordained priests to request permission before performing the old rite, among other changes.{{Cite news |title=Pope Francis renews restrictions on old Latin Mass, reversing Benedict 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}}{{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}} {{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."{{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}}

In December 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a declaration, {{lang|la|Fiducia supplicans}}, approved by Francis.{{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}} {{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 monogamous and emotional bond that lasts over time and have not contracted a Catholic marriage. Notably, it allows 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.{{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}}

{{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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller called it "sacrilegious and blasphemous" and "self-contradictory".{{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}} Cardinal Robert Sarah described the blessing of couples in irregular situations as "a heresy that seriously undermines the Church".{{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}} On 11 January 2024, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu announced that all episcopal conferences in Africa, represented in 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".{{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}}{{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}}

File:Pope Francis Travels.svg]]

File:Pope Francis and Sergio Mattarella 2022.jpg in 2022]]

When Francis was archbishop of Buenos Aires, he authored a text entitled "Dialogues Between John Paul II and Fidel Castro". 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.{{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}} 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."{{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}}

As pope, Francis played a key role in the talks toward restoring full diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba, announced on 17 December 2014.{{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}} 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.{{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 |location=New York City |date=17 December 2014 |access-date=18 December 2014}} 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". En route to the United States for a visit in September 2015, the Pope stopped in 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}}

File:Pope Francis visit Bethlehem.jpg in May 2014]]

In May 2014, Francis visited Israel and the Palestinian territories.{{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}}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). Francis offered symbolic gestures to both sides in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In addition to visiting the Western Wall, Yad Vashem, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, he became the first pope to visit the 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. He also visited Bethlehem, where he gave a speech alongside Abbas, and celebrated Mass at the Church of the Nativity. 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. 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.

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."{{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}} The Vatican signed a treaty recognizing the state of Palestine.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

In May 2021, amid clashes in Jerusalem, Francis reiterated calls for peace between Israel and Palestinians during his {{lang|la|Regina caeli}} address.{{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}}{{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}}

Francis condemned the 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."{{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}}{{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}} He condemned the killing of two Palestinian Christian women by an IDF sniper in Gaza, calling it "terrorism".{{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}} Throughout the war, Francis had called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages,{{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}} and the implementation of a two-state solution.{{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}} In November 2024, Pope Francis suggested that the international community should investigate if Israel's campaign in Gaza is a genocide of the Palestinian people.{{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}} From October 2023 until the day he died, he spoke with the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip every night.{{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 |language=en}}{{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 |language=en}} In his last public appearance he again called for a ceasefire and condemned the "deplorable humanitarian situation" in Gaza.{{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 |language=en}}{{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}}

File:Korea Pope Francis Arrive Seoul Airport 03.jpg, 14 August 2014]]

Francis made the plight of refugees and migrants "a core component of his pastoral work" and had defended their rights in dialogue both with Europe and with the United States. In 2019, he placed a statue in St. Peter's Square to bring attention to the Christian imperative involved in their situation (Hebrews 13:2).{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} In line with this policy, Francis had criticized neo-nationalists and populists who reject the acceptance of refugees.{{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}}{{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}}

In April 2016, Francis, along with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronimos 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.{{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}}

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".{{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}}{{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}}

File:Wizyta w Watykanie (42556254741).jpg and his family, Vatican City, June 2018]]

In January 2017, Francis demanded the resignation of Matthew Festing, the 79th Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

File:21.06.2023 - Franciscus and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (shaking hands).jpg, in 2023]]

Following the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, Francis visited the Russian embassy in Rome, an unprecedented action.{{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}} He called Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express "sorrow" as the Vatican worked to find "room for negotiation" to end the war.{{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}} 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".{{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}} During 27 February 2022 Angelus address, Francis called for peace, saying, "Silence the weapons!"{{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}} At a September 2022 interfaith event in Kazakhstan, Francis urged Patriarch Kirill not to become an "altar boy" of Putin's.

Throughout the war, Francis had called for an end to armed conflict.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). Initially, he avoided specific criticism of Russia and President Putin, frustrating many Ukrainians.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). Later, he described Ukraine as "martyred" and prayed for the victims of Russian aggression but still did not directly criticize Putin or the Russian government.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). His statements aligned more with countries like Brazil, India, and China rather than the US and Europe—a stance some attribute to his distrust of America.[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). 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."{{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}} 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.

Francis's blanket denunciations of arms transfers and the weapons industryNicole 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). seemed to condemn Western military aid to Ukraine. In a September 2022 press conference, seven months into the war, Francis said that it was "licit" and justified for Ukraine 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").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).{{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}}{{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}} 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." 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.

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. He dispatched two high-ranking Vatican officials—Cardinals Krajewski and Michael Czerny—as envoys on several trips to Ukraine in 2022.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} which was considered a highly unusual move of Vatican diplomacy.{{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}} In March 2022, Francis consecrated both Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.{{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}} Francis said in April 2023, during a trip to Budapest, that he was working on a secret "mission" to bring peace and return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.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).{{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}} However, Francis's efforts to position the Vatican as a mediator have continuously failed.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).

In early October 2022, Francis for the first time directly appealed to Putin to halt the "spiral of violence and death" in Ukraine.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). 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".{{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}}

File:Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar kisses the Pope.jpg 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.{{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}} In January 2018, Francis met Yazidi refugees in Europe, expressed his support for their right to religious freedom, and called upon the international community "not to remain a silent and unresponsive spectator" to the Yazidi genocide.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

In March 2021, Francis held a historic meeting with Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and visited 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.{{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}}{{cite web |website=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}}

In September 2024, Francis visited Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population,{{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}} where he attended inter-religious dialogue in Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta and was welcomed by the Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar.{{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}} 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. The declaration was also read and attended by representatives from other religions, including Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists, Confucians, and Folk religions.{{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}}

{{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 in Ukraine and 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

File:Pope Francis in Sarajevo 06 (cropped).JPG 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.[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). 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 on the Pope's behalf.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).[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).

After the 2017 Catalan independence referendum that originated the 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.{{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= |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}}

{{See also|List of places and things named after Pope Francis}}

{{External media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage = 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 talks, April 2017, 17:51, in Italian with subtitles in 22 languages }}

Francis was frequently described as a progressive or liberal moderate.{{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}} 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".{{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}} Other have contested descriptions of Francis as liberal.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} He was a frequent user of landline telephones; he reportedly had never owned a computer or mobile phone. 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.{{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}}

In December 2013, both Time and 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.{{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}} Rolling Stone magazine followed in January 2014 by making him their featured front cover.{{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}}{{cite news |url=https://poy.time.com/2013/12/11/person-of-the-year-pope-francis-the-peoples-pope/ |magazine=Time |title=Person of the Year 2013 |date=11 December 2013}} Fortune magazine also ranked Francis as number one in their list of 50 greatest leaders.{{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}} He was included in Forbes lists of most powerful people in the world in 2014{{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}} and 2016.{{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}}

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). A street in La Plata, Argentina, was renamed Papa Francisco in his honor.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 The Argentine Chamber of Deputies passed legislation to mint a commemorative coin as a tribute to Francis in 2013.{{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}}{{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}} As of 2013, sales of papal souvenirs, a sign of popularity, were up.{{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.}}

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).{{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}}{{efn|Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI did not do this during his eight-year papacy from 2005 to 2013; his predecessor, Pope John Paul 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.{{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}}}}

In 2016, Francis became the first pope to create an Instagram account.{{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}} He broke records after having gained over one million followers in under 12 hours of the account being up.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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. Peter's Square, where he was gifted a replica trophy and a glove of goalkeeper Sebastian Torrico.{{cite web |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=San Lorenzo gives top fan Pope Francis their trophy |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/san-lorenzo-gives-top-fan-pope-francis-their-trophy-idUSBRE9BH0TO/ |access-date=21 April 2025}}

File:Pope Francis and President Joko Widodo Portrait (wide).jpg 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. The only concern would be decreased respiratory reserve if he had a respiratory infection. 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.{{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 Yprk Times}} In 2021, the Pope's health problems prompted rumors that he might resign,{{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}} which Francis dismissed.{{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}} In June 2022, after undergoing treatment to his knee, Francis canceled planned trips to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.{{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}}

In March 2023, Francis was hospitalized in Rome with a respiratory infection.{{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}} He returned to celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday, in April.{{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=AP News}} In June, Francis underwent abdominal surgery after suffering from a hernia.{{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}} He acknowledged that his recurring mobility problems had precipitated the beginning of what Reuters termed "a new, slower phase of his papacy",{{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}} although he was praised by disabled Catholics for making his "disability part of his visible identity".{{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}}

In February 2025, Francis entered Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to bronchitis.{{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}} He remained for more than a month after developing a polymicrobial infection of his respiratory tract and bilateral pneumonia.{{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}}{{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}} Vatican News described his condition as critical and reported that he was given blood transfusions and high-flow oxygen.{{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}}{{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}} Eventually, Francis was put on mechanical ventilation for a number of days, and suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory insufficiency".{{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}} After the infection improved, he was discharged from the hospital on 23 March,{{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}} 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,{{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}} maintaining a reduced work schedule.{{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}}{{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}} He appeared in public for the first time since his hospitalization on 6 April.{{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}}

{{main|Death and funeral of Pope Francis}}

{{See also|Reactions to the death of Pope Francis}}

File:Procesija, pok. papa Franjo (5).jpg

File:Pope Francis Tomb.jpg]]

Francis's last public appearance was at St. 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.{{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}}{{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}} He died at 07:35 local time (UTC+02:00) on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, aged 88, in his residence in Domus Sanctae Marthae.{{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}}{{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}} His death, announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell on the Vatican's TV channel and in a video statement,{{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}} was caused by a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible cardiac arrest.{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}} Cardinal electors arrived in Rome to attend the congregation of cardinals and decided that 7 May 2025 shall be the start of the conclave set to elect Francis's successor.{{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}} On 8 May, Robert Francis Prevost, who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2023, was elected as Pope Leo 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 IX in 1669.{{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 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{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}} His testament ended:

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.

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 refugees, migrants, and the impoverished.{{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}} Since their beginnings, he had been outspoken in his criticism of the wars in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, DR Congo, and Myanmar, notwithstanding numerous other conflicts and acts of suppression against the civilian population globally.{{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}}{{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}}{{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 |language=en}} He appointed more than 80% of the cardinals that elected his successor, notably reducing the European share of the College of Cardinals from a majority to a plurality.{{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}}{{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}} He was celebrated for his outreach to China and the African continent, his tolerance towards differing faith communities, and his attention to younger Catholic adherents and the changing nature of the faith.{{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}} He formalized the church's policy of opposition to the death penalty in all cases.{{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}}{{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 |language=en}}

Under his papacy, women remained banned from becoming priests, joining the Diaconate, or being appointed to the College of Bishops or Cardinals. However, Francis made significant strides towards increasing women's presence in the senior and central administration of the church.{{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}}{{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 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} He was the first to grant them voting rights within the Synod of Bishops, and increased their presence in functions and institutions of the Church that had previously been restricted to or dominated by men.{{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 |language=en}} 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.

He set himself apart from other Popes in upholding the Church's departure from the Tridentine mass, which had only been loosely enforced by both predecessors whose reign occurred after the institution of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.{{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 |language=en}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} Some have stated his view as having been that "the Tridentine liturgy [had become] a symbol of the rejection of Vatican II itself as well as of the pope's teachings."{{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 |language=en}}

In 2022, he issued the first apology by the Vatican for its role in the cultural erasure and forced assimilation of First Nations peoples in Canada from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries.{{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}} 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 tolerance on various LGBTQ issues, particularly the question of his acceptance of transgender identity and his answer to the larger issue of homosexuality, queer identity, and sin.{{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}}{{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)}} The progressive stances he held drew significant criticism from conservative elements within the College.

The official form of address of the Pope in English was His Holiness Pope Francis. Holy Father was among the other honorifics used for popes.{{Cite book |title=Annuario pontificio |publisher=Libr. Ed. Vaticana |oclc=894991536}}

• {{flagu|Bolivia}}: 50px: Grand Collar of the Order of the Condor of the Andes (9 July 2015){{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}}{{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}}
• {{flagu|Bolivia}}: Order of Merit "Father Luis Espinal Camps" (9 July 2015)
• {{flagu|Poland}}: 50px: Order of the Smile (26 April 2016){{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}}
• {{flagu|United States}}: 50px: Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction (11 January 2025){{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}}

• Olympic Order (2013){{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}}
• {{flagu|Germany}}: International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen (2016){{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}}
• "Person of the Year" by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (2015) for his request that all Catholics be kind to animals.{{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 |date=1 December 2015}}
• Francis was made an honourary Harlem Globetrotter on 7 May 2015.{{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}}
• Francis was granted an honourary black belt by World Taekwondo in 2017.{{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}}
• Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in October 2020 for significant contributions to the service of humanity from around the world.{{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}}{{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}}
• {{flagu|Brazil}}: Medalha Mérito Legislativo awarded by the Congress of Brazil in November 2021.{{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}}
• 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.{{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}}

File:Pope Francis Malacanang 45.jpg in Manila, 16 January 2015]]

• {{flagu|Philippines}}: The Pope Francis Center for the Poor – Palo, Leyte (12 July 2015){{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}}
• {{flagu|South Sudan}}: "H.H. Pope Francis Road" in Juba was inaugurated by President Salva Kiir days before his 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."{{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}}
• 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.{{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}}{{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}}[https://www.rai5.rai.it/articoli/missa-papae-francisci-morricone/30466/default.aspx Missa Papae Francisci (Morricone)]. RAI 5. (Napolitano appears at 32:41 and greets Morricone at 33:07) {{in lang|it}}
• The composer Ludger Stühlmeyer dedicated his work Klangrede – Sonnengesang des Franziskus, for choir (SATB) and instruments – to Pope Francis (Suae Sanctitati Papae Francisci dedicat). First performance: Capella Mariana 4 October 2015.In: Offenbarungen – Tage Neuer Kirchenmusik. Begleitheft, München 2015, S. 15.
• The rodent species Oecomys franciscorum, discovered in 2016, was named after both Francis and Francisco Maldonado da Silva, a victim of the Peruvian Inquisition.{{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 |doi-access=free |hdl=11336/36873 |hdl-access=free}}
• In the oratorio Laudato si' by Peter Reulein (music) written on a libretto by Helmut Schlegel OFM, the figure of Francis appears. It was first performed at Limburg Cathedral in 2016.{{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=Dehm Verlag |location=Limburg an der Lahn |year=2016 |isbn=978-3-943302-34-9 |page=230 |ismn=979-0-50226-047-7}}{{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=}}

{{Main|Coat of arms of Pope Francis}}

{{Further|Papal coats of arms}}

{{Infobox COA wide

| image = Coat of arms of Franciscus.svg

| bannerimage =

| badgeimage =

| notes = Pope Francis's initial grant of arms by the Holy See was as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, when he was Cardinal Bergoglio,{{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}} in which the depiction of the Star and Spikenard were tinctured Argent. Following his election as Pontiff these are now tinctured Or. The first version of His Holiness's arms released by the Vatican Press Office depicted a five-pointed Star from Bergoglio's archiepiscopal version, but upon election as Pope his coat of arms assumed an eight-pointed star with the representation of the spikenard also being suitably differenced.

| adopted = 18 March 2013

| crest = Not applicable to prelates

| torse =

| helm = 35px Bishop's miter

| escutcheon = Azure on a Sun in Splendour Or the IHS Christogram ensigned with a Cross Paté fiché piercing the H Gules all above three Nails fanwise points to center Sable, and in dexter base a Mullet of eight points and in sinister base a Spikenard flower Or{{cite web |title=Wedvick of Jarlsby – 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}}

| supporters =

| compartment =

| motto = MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO
(Latin for "BY GIVING MERCY AND BY CHOOSING")

| orders =

| other_elements = Keys of Peter behind HH's shield and Papal mantling

| banner = Flag of Vatican City

| badge =

| symbolism = (On the shield) Jesuit emblem: In reference to Francis being a Jesuit, the uppermost charge on the shield is the emblem of the Society of Jesus. This charge displays a radiating sun within which is the monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus in red, with a red cross surmounting the H and three black nails below the H. Eight-pointed star: a long-standing symbol of the Virgin Mary. Spikenard alias nard: this flower represents Saint Joseph; in Hispanic iconographic tradition St. Joseph is often depicted holding a branch of spikenard.{{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}}

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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.{{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 |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}} A music album, Wake Up!, consisting of speeches by Francis accompanied by music was released on 27 November 2015.{{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}}{{cite news |title=Pope Francis has released a rock album |work=BBC News |date=20 November 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34863904/pope-francis-has-released-a-rock-album |access-date=2 March 2016}}{{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/}}

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.{{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.}}{{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.}} On 21 October 2020, the documentary Francesco directed by film producer Evgeny Afineevsky premiered.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}

Francis was played by Jonathan Pryce in the biographical film The Two Popes (2019).{{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}}

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• List of popes

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{{reflist|refs=

{{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/}}

[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.

{{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/}}

{{cite web |title=New Pope Francis visits St. 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}}

{{cite news |title=Pope Francis explains decision to take St 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}}

{{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}}

{{cite news |title=Vatican: It's Pope Francis, not Pope Francis 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}}

{{cite magazine |title=Why Pope Francis Only Has One Lung |first=Alice |last=Park |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}}

{{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 |date=11 December 2013 |access-date=27 December 2013}}

{{cite news |last=Remeseira |first=Claudio Iván |title=Pope Francis: A humble and outspoken man, and technically also Italian |publisher=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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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 |date=13 March 2013 |access-date=13 March 2013 |url-access=subscription}}

[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.

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

{{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}}

}}

{{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 |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}}

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

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{{s-bef|before=Theodor Hubrich}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Ordinary of Argentina of the Eastern Rite|years=6 November 1998 – 13 March 2013}}

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