Pope Francis
2013-2025
Pope Francis gives a gift to Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury during a meeting with Anglican primates in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. The Pope's gift to Archbishop Welby was a bronze icon of the Mother of God, in the style of the image in Santa Maria Maggiore before which Pope Francis prays before and after all his trips, Maria Salus Populi Romani
Pope Francis gives a gift to Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury during a meeting with Anglican primates in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. The Pope's gift to Archbishop Welby was a bronze icon of the Mother of God, in the style of the image in Santa Maria Maggiore before which Pope Francis prays before and after all his trips, Maria Salus Populi Romani. Photo credit: CNS/Vatican Media ~ 2 May 2024
Pope Francis meets with members of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Dialogue Commission (ARCIC III)
Pope Francis meets with members of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Dialogue Commission (ARCIC III). Photo credit: Vatican Media ~ 13 May 2022
Anglican Archbishop Linda Nicholls, the Anglican primate of Canada and acting co-chair of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, speaks to Pope Francis during a meeting in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican
Anglican Archbishop Linda Nicholls, the Anglican primate of Canada and acting co-chair of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, speaks to Pope Francis during a meeting in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. Photo credit: Vatican Media ~ 13 May 2022
The Rev. Will Adam, deputy secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, presents a gift to Pope Francis during an audience with ARCIC-III
The Rev. Will Adam, deputy secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, presents a gift to Pope Francis during an audience with ARCIC-III. Photo credit: CNS photo/Vatican Media ~ 13 May 2022
Pope Francis delivers a speech in Port Louis on 9 September 2019 during his visit to Mauritius. Photo: Vatican Media/Reuters
Pope Francis delivers a speech in Port Louis on 9 September 2019 during his visit to Mauritius. Photo: Vatican Media/Reuters ~ 9 Sept. 2019
Pope Francis kisses the feet of President Salva Kiir of South Sudan, at the conclusion of a two-day retreat at the Vatican for African nation’s political leaders
Pope Francis kisses the feet of President Salva Kiir of South Sudan, at the conclusion of a two-day retreat at the Vatican for African nation’s political leaders. Photo credit: Vatican Media ~ 11 Apr. 2019
On April 10 and 11, Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin Welby, and Rev. John Chalmers (Church of Scotland) led a retreat for the political and religious leaders of South Sudan
On April 10 and 11, Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin Welby, and Rev. John Chalmers (Church of Scotland) led a retreat for the political and religious leaders of South Sudan. Photo credit: CNS/Vatican Media ~ 11 Apr. 2019
On April 10 and 11, Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin Welby, and Rev. John Chalmers (Church of Scotland) led a retreat for the political and religious leaders of South Sudan
On April 10 and 11, Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin Welby, and Rev. John Chalmers (Church of Scotland) led a retreat for the political and religious leaders of South Sudan. Photo credit: Servizio Fotografico - Vatican Media ~ 10 Apr. 2019
On April 10 and 11, Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin Welby, and Rev. John Chalmers (Church of Scotland) led a retreat for the political and religious leaders of South Sudan
On April 10 and 11, Pope Francis, Archbishop Justin Welby, and Rev. John Chalmers (Church of Scotland) led a retreat for the political and religious leaders of South Sudan. Photo credit: Servizio Fotografico - Vatican Media ~ 10 Apr. 2019
Pope Francis attends an ecumenical prayer service at the World Council of Churches' ecumenical center in Geneva in 2018. Responding in October to a WCC document on the nature and mission of the church, the Vatican said that while Catholics cannot share the Eucharist with other Christians, they can and should pray and work together. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS
Pope Francis attends an ecumenical prayer service at the World Council of Churches' ecumenical center in Geneva in 2018. Responding in October to a WCC document on the nature and mission of the church, the Vatican said that while Catholics cannot share the Eucharist with other Christians, they can and should pray and work together. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. Photo credit: Photo: Paul Haring/CNS ~ 2018
Pope Francis greets Anglican Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi, director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and the archbishop of Canterbury's personal representative to the Holy See, during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican
Pope Francis greets Anglican Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi, director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and the archbishop of Canterbury's personal representative to the Holy See, during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Photo credit: Paul Haring/CNS ~ 8 Nov. 2017
Pope Francis greets Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during a private audience at the Vatican Oct. 27, 2017
Pope Francis greets Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during a private audience at the Vatican Oct. 27, 2017. Photo credit: CNS/L'Osservatore Romano ~ 27 Oct. 2017
Pope Francis greets Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during a private audience at the Vatican Oct. 27, 2017
Pope Francis greets Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during a private audience at the Vatican Oct. 27, 2017. Photo credit: CNS/L'Osservatore Romano ~ 27 Oct. 2017
Pope Francis greets Anglican Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi, together with the outgoing director of Rome's Anglican Centre, Archbishop David Moxon
Pope Francis greets Anglican Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi, together with the outgoing director of Rome's Anglican Centre, Archbishop David Moxon ~ 2 June 2017
Pope Francis laughs during an evening prayer service at All Saints' Anglican Church in Rome Feb. 26. It was the first time a pope has visited an Anglican place of worship in Rome
Pope Francis laughs during an evening prayer service at All Saints' Anglican Church in Rome Feb. 26. It was the first time a pope has visited an Anglican place of worship in Rome. Photo credit: Maria Grazia Picciarella, pool ~ 26 Feb. 2017
Pope Francis receives a 'Simnel Sunday' cake during his visit to Rome's All Saints Anglican Church
Pope Francis receives a 'Simnel Sunday' cake during his visit to Rome's All Saints Anglican Church. Photo credit: ANSA ~ 26 Feb. 2017
Pope Francis passes in front of an icon of Jesus Christ during his visit at the All Saints' Anglican Church in Rome
Pope Francis passes in front of an icon of Jesus Christ during his visit at the All Saints' Anglican Church in Rome. Photo credit: AFP ~ 26 Feb. 2017
In this 2017 file photo, Pope Francis is flanked by Archbishop David Moxon, then the archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Vatican, and Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as they arrive for an ecumenical prayer service to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome
In this 2017 file photo, Pope Francis is flanked by Archbishop David Moxon, then the archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Vatican, and Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as they arrive for an ecumenical prayer service to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. Photo credit: Paul Haring/CNS ~ 25 Jan. 2017
Pope Francis delivers a joint blessing with Orthodox Metropolitan Gennadios of Italy and Malta and Anglican Archbishop David Moxon, the archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Vatican, during an ecumenical prayer service to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome
Pope Francis delivers a joint blessing with Orthodox Metropolitan Gennadios of Italy and Malta and Anglican Archbishop David Moxon, the archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Vatican, during an ecumenical prayer service to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. Photo credit: Paul Haring/CNS ~ 25 Jan. 2017
Pope Francis’ sermon at the joint commemoration of the Reformation in Lund Cathedral, Sweden, is broadcast live on television
Pope Francis’ sermon at the joint commemoration of the Reformation in Lund Cathedral, Sweden, is broadcast live on television. Photo credit: Gavin Drake/ACNS ~ 31 Oct. 2016
Pope Francis gave Archbishop Justin Welby a replica of the Crozier of St. Gregory the Great
Pope Francis gave Archbishop Justin Welby a replica of the Crozier of St. Gregory the Great ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis stand together in front of the congregation at the Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio
Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis stand together in front of the congregation at the Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Pope Francis greets Archbishop Donald Bolen, co-chair of IARCCUM, at the Vespers in San Gregorio al Celio
Pope Francis greets Archbishop Donald Bolen, co-chair of IARCCUM, at the Vespers in San Gregorio al Celio ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Pope Francis commissions Archbishop Donald Bolen, co-chair of IARCCUM, at the Vespers in San Gregorio al Celio
Pope Francis commissions Archbishop Donald Bolen, co-chair of IARCCUM, at the Vespers in San Gregorio al Celio ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby entering San Gregorio al Celio for Vespers with the IARCCUM bishops
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby entering San Gregorio al Celio for Vespers with the IARCCUM bishops ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby stop to pray at the throne of St. Gregory during the recessional after Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby stop to pray at the throne of St. Gregory during the recessional after Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio. Photo credit: Rev. Amanda Currie ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby share a word and embrace during the Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby share a word and embrace during the Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio. Photo credit: L'Osservatore Romano ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis entering San Gregorio al Celio for the ecumenical vespers
Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis entering San Gregorio al Celio for the ecumenical vespers. Photo credit: Bishop John Bauerschmidt ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Final Benediction at the Ecumenical Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio
Final Benediction at the Ecumenical Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio. Photo credit: CNS/Paul Haring ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Archbishop Justin Welby gave Pope Francis a cross of nails from Coventry Cathedral
Archbishop Justin Welby gave Pope Francis a cross of nails from Coventry Cathedral. Photo credit: ACNS ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Commissioning of the IARCCUM bishops by Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis
Commissioning of the IARCCUM bishops by Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis. Photo credit: Vatican Television ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Pope Francis wears the Cross of Nails given to him by Archbishop Justin Welby as he gives a blessing during a service of Vespers at the Church of San Gregorio al Celio
Pope Francis wears the Cross of Nails given to him by Archbishop Justin Welby as he gives a blessing during a service of Vespers at the Church of San Gregorio al Celio. Photo credit: Vatican Television ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Pope Francis greeting Bishop John Bauerschmidt during the ecumenical vespers at San Gregorio al Celio
Pope Francis greeting Bishop John Bauerschmidt during the ecumenical vespers at San Gregorio al Celio ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby share a word and embrace during the Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby share a word and embrace during the Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio ~ 5 Oct. 2016
Final Benediction at the Ecumenical Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio
Final Benediction at the Ecumenical Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio. Photo credit: Reuters ~ 5 Oct. 2016
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis at an ecumenical prayer for peace service in Assisi
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis at an ecumenical prayer for peace service in Assisi. Photo credit: Vatican Television/Radio Vaticana ~ 20 Sept. 2016
Pope Francis greets New Zealand Archbishop David Moxon, director of Rome's Anglican Centre, and Zambian Bishop William Mchombo of the Central African province at the end of his Wednesday general audience in St Peter's Square
Pope Francis greets New Zealand Archbishop David Moxon, director of Rome's Anglican Centre, and Zambian Bishop William Mchombo of the Central African province at the end of his Wednesday general audience in St Peter's Square. Photo credit: Osservatore Romano ~ 12 Sept. 2016
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Pope Francis meeting in Havana, Cuba on February 12, 2016. This was the first meeting between a reigning pope and a patriarch of Moscow
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Pope Francis meeting in Havana, Cuba on February 12, 2016. This was the first meeting between a reigning pope and a patriarch of Moscow. Photo credit: EPA ~ 12 Feb. 2016
Pope Francis gave the homily at the Ecumenical Vespers for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Pope Francis gave the homily at the Ecumenical Vespers for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ~ 25 Jan. 2016
ARCIC III co-chairs, Archbishops David Moxon and Bernard Longley, chat with Pope Francis during a private audience with the dialogue members
ARCIC III co-chairs, Archbishops David Moxon and Bernard Longley, chat with Pope Francis during a private audience with the dialogue members. Photo credit: ANSA ~ 30 Apr. 2015
Archbishop Welby reading his address to Pope Francis
Archbishop Welby reading his address to Pope Francis ~ 14 June 2013
Pope Francis and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby walking within the Vatican during the Archbishop's visit
Pope Francis and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby walking within the Vatican during the Archbishop's visit ~ 14 June 2013
Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis greeting
Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis greeting ~ 14 June 2013
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby laughing
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby laughing ~ 14 June 2013
Archbishop Welby and Pope Francis at prayer together
Archbishop Welby and Pope Francis at prayer together ~ 14 June 2013
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby greet during visit to Rome
Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby greet during visit to Rome ~ 14 June 2013
Pope Francis welcomes Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at the Vatican. Both spoke of the 'bonds of friendship and love' between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion
Pope Francis welcomes Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at the Vatican. Both spoke of the 'bonds of friendship and love' between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Photo credit: Lambeth Palace ~ 14 June 2013
Archbishop Welby sitting with Pope Francis
Archbishop Welby sitting with Pope Francis ~ 14 June 2013
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby greets Pope Francis during visit to Rome
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby greets Pope Francis during visit to Rome ~ 14 June 2013
Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis share a laugh during their first visit
Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis share a laugh during their first visit ~ 14 June 2013
Pope Francis
Pope Francis

Series: Pope, Bishop of Rome , Pius IX (1846-1878), Leo XIII (1878-1903), Pius XII (1939-1958), Paul VI (1963-1978), John Paul II (1978-2005), Benedict XVI (2005-2013), Francis (2013-2025), Leo XIV (2025-)

born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936; entered Society of Jesus, 1958; ordained priest 1969; final vows 1973; Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina (1973–1979); Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (1992–1997); Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1998–2013); created Cardinal 2001; Ordinary of the Ordinariate for the Faithful of the Eastern Rites in Argentina (1998–2013); President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference (2005–2011); elected Pope March 13, 2013. Died April 21, 2025.

Website: vatican.va

Documents authored by Pope Francis

News stories: