Pope Francis

POPE FRANCIS 5TH ANNIVERSARY

Five years ago Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. In so many ways, Francis has been a pope of firsts: the first Latin American; the first Jesuit; the first pope to take the name Francis after the free-spirited saint of the medieval period. Pope Francis is simple, joyful and spontaneous; personal qualities that appeal beyond the Catholic community, touching the hearts of all people of genuine good will.

But the novelties of the past five years are only reflections of the deeper ecclesial revolution Francis has inaugurated. He wants a “church of the poor,” “bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets,” a “field hospital” capable of healing wounds, and a “loving mother” who “never condemns anyone,” but “pours out the balm of mercy,” which is the “greatest of all Christian virtues,” and “the very name of God.” More than anything, the pontificate of Francis has revealed again in our time, the simple yet revolutionary message of the love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead.

Happy Anniversary Pope Francis!

WHO IS...

© graphic/Tim Meko and Patricia Zapor

So much has happened over the five-year pontificate of Pope Francis, it’s easy to forget how new and exciting it felt from the beginning! Here’s a timeline of the major developments in the life and ministry of Pope Francis, beginning with that unforgettable night he walked out on the balcony…

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