Sarah Mitchell
The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church and the current Pope is Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Pope Francis was the first Jesuit Pope, the first Latin American Pope, and the first Pope born or raised outside of Europe since the 8th-century Syrian Pope, Gregory III. The Catholic Pope uses various titles by tradition, including Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, and Servus Servorum Dei.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Pope Francis |
| Born | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Birth Date | 17 December 1936 |
| Death Date | 21 April 2025 |
| Title | Holy Father |
| Pope Number | 266 |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Bishop of Rome |
| Other Titles | Sovereign of Vatican City, de facto Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta |
| Previous Occupation | Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal |
| Notable Achievements | First Jesuit Pope, first Latin American Pope, first non-European Pope since the 8th century, named Person of the Year by The Advocate in 2013 |
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What You'll Learn
- Pope Francis, the current pope, was the first Jesuit pope and the first Latin American pope
- The Catholic pope has various titles, including Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, and Servus servorum Dei
- The chronology of the early popes is heavily disputed
- Pope Francis was named Person of the Year by The Advocate, an American LGBTQ magazine
- The first American pontiff was Pope Leo XIV
Pope Francis, the current pope, was the first Jesuit pope and the first Latin American pope
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first Jesuit pope and the first Latin American pope. He was the head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State from March 13, 2013, until his death on April 21, 2025.
Bergoglio was inspired to join the Jesuits in 1958 after recovering from a severe illness. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1969 and served as the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina from 1973 to 1979. He became the archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
Pope Francis is known for his relatively progressive stance on LGBTQ issues compared to his predecessors. In 2013, he made headlines with his "Who am I to judge?" statement, indicating a more accepting attitude towards LGBTQ individuals. He supported civil unions for same-sex couples and allowed the blessing of individuals in same-sex relationships. Additionally, he met privately with LGBTQ people and activists. For this, he was named Person of the Year by The Advocate, an American LGBTQ magazine, in 2013.
During his pontificate, Pope Francis also advocated for social justice and the protection of persecuted peoples worldwide. He recognized the persecution of various ethnic and religious groups, including the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, the Uyghur minority in China, and Christians in Egypt and Pakistan. He received recognition for his efforts, including the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in 2020 for his significant contributions to the service of humanity.
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The Catholic pope has various titles, including Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, and Servus servorum Dei
The current pope is Pope Leo XIV, who is the first American pontiff. The Catholic pope has various official and unofficial titles. Summus Pontifex, the fourth title in the official list, means 'supreme pontiff' or 'highest pontiff' in Latin. Pontifex, which means 'pontiff' or 'bridge builder', was used in ancient Rome to designate a member of the College of Pontiffs, the most important priesthood of ancient Rome. The term was also used to refer to a Christian bishop from as early as the 3rd century.
Pontifex Maximus, while not included in the official list of papal titles, has been used for centuries in inscriptions referring to the Popes, including on buildings and coins. The title was first used by the second king or emperor of Rome, Numa Pompilius, who established many of the religious foundations of Rome. The role of pontifex maximus was to oversee all religious matters and act as a religious advisor to the rulers of Rome. As time went on, the role of pontifex maximus became politicised and, eventually, the title was granted to the emperor of Rome. In the 15th century, during the Renaissance, there was a renewed interest in classical culture, and pontifex maximus became a regular title of honour for Popes, a custom that continues to the present day.
Another title of the Pope is Servus servorum Dei, which means 'Servant of the servants of God' in Latin. Pope Gregory I, pope from 590 to 604, was the first Pope to use this title extensively.
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The chronology of the early popes is heavily disputed
The current Catholic Pope is Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio). He was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until his death on 21 April 2025.
The term "pope" (Latin: papa, lit. "father") is used in several churches to denote their high spiritual leaders (for example, the Coptic pope). In Catholicism, the pope is the head of the Catholic Church, a position that spans from the time of Saint Peter to the present day. In the first three centuries of the Christian era, many of Peter's successors as bishops of Rome are obscure figures, most suffering martyrdom along with members of their flock in periods of persecution.
Pope Linus, who died around 80, is generally regarded as the second bishop of Rome, after Saint Peter. Linus is mentioned in the valediction of the Second Epistle to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:21) as being with Paul the Apostle in Rome near the end of Paul's life. According to Irenaeus, Linus is the same person mentioned in the New Testament. Linus is described by Jerome as "the first after Peter to be in charge of the Roman Church", and by Eusebius as "the first to receive the episcopate of the church at Rome, after the martyrdom of Paul and Peter".
Hermannus Contractus may have been the first historian to number the popes continuously. His list ends in 1049 with Leo IX as number 154. Several changes were made to the list during the 20th century. For example, Christopher was considered a legitimate pope for a long time but was later removed due to how he obtained the papacy. Pope-elect Stephen was listed as Stephen II until the 1961 edition, when his name was removed.
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Pope Francis was named Person of the Year by The Advocate, an American LGBTQ magazine
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until his death on 21 April 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American pope, and the first pope born or raised outside of Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope, Gregory III.
Pope Francis was named Person of the Year by The Advocate, an American LGBTQ+ magazine, in 2013. This was in recognition of his stark change in rhetoric from his predecessors, both of whom were listed among the magazine's "Phobie Awards" for their anti-gay stances. Pope Francis's famous "Who am I to judge?" comment regarding LGBTQ+ people was widely reported in the international press and became one of his most well-known statements. He emphasised the need to accept, welcome, and accompany LGBTQ+ people, including children, and supported civil unions as legal protections for same-sex couples. Under his leadership, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith confirmed that transgender people could be baptised, and the blessing of same-sex couples was permitted. Pope Francis also privately met with many LGBTQ+ people and activists.
However, Pope Francis's stance on LGBTQ+ issues was not without controversy. In 2015, he faced media scrutiny for meeting Kim Davis, a county clerk who was imprisoned for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. In 2018, he suggested that gay children seek psychiatric treatment, and he opposed a parliamentary bill to legalise same-sex marriage in Argentina before his election as pope. Additionally, he expressed concerns about "gender theory" and children's education on gender-affirming surgery, referring to it as "ideological colonisation".
Despite these controversies, Pope Francis's recognition by The Advocate highlights his impact on the LGBTQ+ community and his efforts to foster inclusion and acceptance within the Catholic Church.
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The first American pontiff was Pope Leo XIV
The Catholic Church is currently led by Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff. Robert Francis Prevost, to use his birth name, was elected by the College of Cardinals on May 8, 2025, and is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine. He is also the first pope born after World War II and during the Cold War, and thus the first to be born in the Baby Boomer generation. Prevost is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and has familial ties to multiple places across the United States.
Prevost's election came as a surprise to many, as he was considered a dark horse candidate. The idea of an American pope was seen as unrealistic by some Vatican insiders, particularly due to the country's status as a superpower. However, Prevost's American heritage is not his only unique trait. He is also the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine, though six previous popes belonged to other orders that follow the Augustinian Rule.
In his first address, delivered in Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis. He also imparted his first Urbi et Orbi blessing in Latin. Pope Leo has indicated that he will continue Pope Francis' work in reaching out to the poor and trying to unify people across the world. This is reflected in his first document, which is expected to focus on the needs of the poor.
Pope Leo XIV's election has been met with enthusiasm from American Catholics, particularly those with connections to his familial roots. His parents, Louis and Mildred Prevost, were practicing Catholics who were very involved in their parish. Louis, a veteran of World War II, served as a catechist, while Mildred was an active member of the Rosary and Altar Society.
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Frequently asked questions
Pope Francis.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American pope, and the first pope born or raised outside of Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope, Gregory III.
Pope Benedict XVI, the predecessor to Pope Francis, resigned.
