Legacy
A Legacy of Faith and Service
Pope Francis dedicated his papacy to spreading the message of mercy, compassion and love. From his work with the marginalized to his efforts in global peace-building, his leadership embodied the very essence of Christ’s teachings. His focus on caring for the poor, championing environmental stewardship and fostering unity within the Catholic Church continues to inspire us all.
Key Teachings and Contributions
- Mercy and Compassion – Pope Francis’ emphasis on God’s boundless mercy transformed how the Church engages with the faithful. Read more here
- Care for Creation – His encyclical Laudato Si’ called for urgent action to protect our common home. Read more here
- Synodality and Inclusion – He championed a more inclusive and listening Catholic Church through synodal dialogues. Read more here
- Social Justice and Peace – Advocating for the dignity of every person, the Holy Father encouraged dialogue among nations and faiths to foster peace and justice. Read more here
- He’s the first pope to be from the Southern hemisphere and the Americas.
- He’s the first Jesuit priest to become a pope.
- Before becoming a priest, he was a chemical technician.
- He’s the first pope to be named as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2013.
- He’s the first non-European pope in more than 1000 years.
Pope Francis Timeline
- December 17, 1936: Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- December 13, 1969: Ordained as a Jesuit priest
- May 20,1992: Appointed titular Bishop of Auca
- February 28, 1998-2013: Became Archbishop of Buenos Aires
- February 21, 2001: Appointed Cardinal of San Roberto Ballarmino
- March 13, 2013: Elected Pope when he was named the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church
- March 19, 2013: Installed as Pope Francis
- June 29, 2013: Released first encyclical “Lumen Fidei”
- July 22, 2013: First international visit to Brazil for World Youth Day
- December 2013: Named "Person of the Year" by Time magazine
- May 24, 2015: Released second encyclical “Laudato Si'”
- March 13, 2015: Announced the Jubilee Year of Mercy to take place from December 8, 2015 until Nov. 20, 2016
- September, 2015: Visit to the U.S. (Faith magazine special edition)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom - Presented by Pres. Joe Biden (Jan 2025)
- Cinema for Peace Honorary Award - (2023)
- Overcome Film Festival Award - In-Visibles, Best Short film (2023)
- Christopher Award - for Francesco (2022)