Pope Francis
Former Head of the Catholic Church
Pope Francis
Former Head of the Catholic Church
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, served as the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from March 13, 2013, until his death on April 21, 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium. Known for his humility and emphasis on God's mercy, he chose to reside in the Vatican guest house rather than the papal apartments and was noted for his less formal approach to the papacy. His papacy focused on reforming the Vatican bureaucracy and finances, addressing social justice issues, and promoting interreligious dialogue. He was also known for his progressive stances on climate change, economic justice, and the death penalty. Despite facing criticism from conservative factions, he remained committed to modernizing the Catholic Church and promoting compassion and inclusivity.
Pope Francis Dies After Awkward Meeting with US Vice President JD Vance Over Migrant Policy
- Monday, 21 April 2025
Pope Francis had an awkward meeting with US Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican on Easter Sunday, just before his death on Easter Monday. The meeting was brief and lasted only a few minutes, during which they discussed Francis' criticism of the Trump administration's treatment of migrants. Despite their differences, Francis offered Vance three chocolate Easter eggs for his children, as well as a Vatican tie and rosaries.
King Charles and Queen Camilla Pay Tribute to Late Pope Francis
- Monday, 21 April 2025
King Charles and Queen Camilla have expressed their "heavy hearts" following the death of Pope Francis, saying they are deeply saddened but also somewhat comforted by the Pope's ability to share an Easter greeting with the Church before he passed away. The King praised Pope Francis for his compassion, tireless commitment to people of faith, and work on combating climate change.
Vance Meets Pope Francis in Vatican After Tense Previous Encounter Over Migration Policy
- Sunday, 20 April 2025
JD Vance met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Easter Sunday after a brief meeting the previous day, where he was snubbed by the Pontiff and instead met with other officials. The meeting lasted only a few minutes and did not resolve their differences over migration policies. Despite their disagreements, the Pope offered Vance three chocolate Easter eggs for his children, a Vatican tie, and rosaries.
