Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected Pope on 13 March 2013, taking the name Francis. His papal inauguration Mass took place on 19 March, the Solemnity of St Joseph, in St Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis is the first Jesuit to become Pope, the first to take the name Francis, and the first Pope from Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere.

Pope Francis took as his motto “Miserando atque eligendo”. The words are from a homily of St Bede on St Matthew’s Gospel, and relate to Jesus choosing Matthew as one of the apostles. Jesus saw the tax collector, Matthew, sitting at a customs post and said to him, “Follow me.” St. Bede explained in his homily that Jesus saw Matthew, not merely in the usual sense, but with merciful understanding. The motto means “lowly but chosen”; literally in Latin “by having mercy, by choosing him”. It was also the motto of Pope Francis when he was a bishop.


The Joy-filled Pope

A sign on Pope Francis’ door in Casa Santa Marta where he lives contains a very direct message from a pope who speaks often about joy:

“No whining – violators are subject to a syndrome of always feeling like a victim and the consequent reduction of your sense of humor and capacity to solve problems. The penalty is doubled if the violation takes place in the presence of children. To get the best out of yourself, concentrate on your potential and not on your limitations. Stop complaining and take steps to improve your life”.

Major papal documents of Pope Francis

Lumen Gentium – The Light of Faith (2013)

This encyclical was written by Pope Francis in collaboration with Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. It is about faith and follows Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclicals on charity (Deus Caritas Est) and hope (Spe Salvi).  It was the first time in the Church’s history that an encyclical was written by two popes.

Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel (2013)

This Apostolic exhortation is about “the church’s primary mission of evangelization in the modern world” – the Church must understand itself as a “community of missionary disciples”, who are “permanently in a state of mission”. Evangelii gaudium touches on many of the themes of Francis’ papacy, including obligations Christians have to the poor and the duty to establish and maintain just economic, political, and legal orders.

Laudato Si’ – Praise Be to You (On the Care of our Common Home) (2015)

This is the second encyclical of Pope Francis and is subtitled “On Care for our Common Home”. In it, Pope Francis discusses consumerism and development, and their effects including poverty, environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take “swift and unified global action.”

Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love (2016)

This post-synodal Apostolic exhortation is concerned with the pastoral care of families, and a range of challenges faced by families. It includes a reflection on love in the daily reality of family life, and encourages clergy and lay people to accompany and care for families especially those in special need.

Gaudete et Exultate – Rejoice and Be Glad (2018)

This Apostolic exhortation focuses on the universal call to holiness, and seeks to “re-propose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time”. The document deals with the call to holiness; false forms of holiness; on the Beatitudes and holiness in the Gospel; on five signs of holiness in the modern world, and on discernment.

Christus Vivit – Christ is Alive (2019)

This is a post-synodal apostolic exhortation, written in response to the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, on young people, faith and vocational discernment, held in October 2018. It is addressed “to young people and to the entire people of God”, states that the church has to repair its reputation with young people or risk becoming a “museum” if it did not change. It identifies role models for young people, challenges facing them and where the Church has failed them, and how they might respond to the plan God has for each of them.

Social links to Vatican news

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

Vatican News – English News from the Vatican – News about the Church

  • Video highlights of Pope Francis’ pastoral visit to Venice
    on April 28, 2024 at 12:14 pm

    Pope Francis makes a pastoral visit to the northern Italian city of Venice on 28 April. He first visits with inmates at the Giudecca Women’s Prison facility, followed by a meeting with curators and artists of the Holy See’s Pavilion for the 60th Venice Biennale. Then he meets with young people at the Basilica of St. Mary of Good Health, followed by Mass in St. Mark’s Square, the recitation of the Regina Coeli, and a visit in the Basilica of St. Mark to venerate the relics of the Saint. Read all  

  • Inside look at Pope Francis’ visit to Venice from St. Mark’s Square
    on April 28, 2024 at 11:47 am

    As Pope Francis concludes his visit to the Italian city of Venice, our correspondent, Deborah Castellano Lubov, brings us the festive atmosphere after his Mass in St. Mark’s Square and reflects on the day’s impact. Read all  

  • Pope prays for peace and stability in Haiti and all war-torn countries
    on April 28, 2024 at 10:59 am

    Pope Francis invokes the intercession of Our Lady for the many situations of suffering in the world, turning his attention in particular to Haiti where a transitional Council has just been asked to appoint a new head of government. Read all  

  • Pope presides at Mass in Venice, calls for inclusion and hospitality
    on April 28, 2024 at 9:27 am

    Presiding at Mass amidst the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Pope Francis issues a call for encounter, inclusion, and care for our common home, noting that beauty must be available to all. Read all  

  • Pope to youth in Venice: Get off your phones and pay attention to others
    on April 28, 2024 at 8:07 am

    As he visits the Italian city of Venice, Pope Francis urges young people to make themselves a gift for other people by focusing on how we can help someone else instead of complaining about being alone or misunderstood. Read all