Advertisement

Image: AFP

Pope Francis

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires in 1936, was elected head of the Catholic Church in 2013 after the resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict. His papacy centered on peace, inclusion and the environment.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

A religious bystander looks on as Argentina's President Javier Milei (left), Pope Leo XIV, (center) and Milei's sister Karina (right) inspect objects on a desk at the Vatican on June 7, 2025.

A religious bystander looks on as Argentina's President Javier Milei (left), Pope Leo XIV, (center) and Milei's sister Karina (right) inspect objects on a desk at the Vatican on June 7, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV welcomes Argentine President Milei to Vatican

Pope Leo welcomed Javier Milei, who viciously attacked his predecessor Francis in online tirades.

Pope Leo XIV. greeting members of the press

Pope Leo XIV. greeting members of the press

Crowds gather at Vatican for inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV

Leo XIV has assumed his duties as head of the Catholic Church. Will he continue on the path of the late Pope Francis?

Pope Leo XIV appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on May 11, 2025

Pope Leo XIV appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on May 11, 2025

Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in first Sunday address

The new pontiff spoke about the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Pakistan and India in his first Sunday blessing.

Pope Leo XIV meets the College of Cardinals in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican, Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV meets the College of Cardinals in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican, Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV signals intention to walk in Francis' footsteps

In his first meeting of cardinals as pope, the American pontiff praised the legacy of the late Pope Francis.

A man pulls his belongings in a trolley behind him, walking along a dark street

A man pulls his belongings in a trolley behind him, walking along a dark street

Pope Francis' legacy: Sheltering the unhoused in the Vatican

Pope Francis championed the poor and made space for them in the Vatican. What will become of them now that he's gone?

Pope Francis and cardinals on the balcony in the Vatican

Pope Francis and cardinals on the balcony in the Vatican

How does a pope get his name?

The name a new pope adopts says a lot about what he stands for.

Pope Francis (2nd R) waves at Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (L) during a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on September 4, 2024

Pope Francis (2nd R) waves at Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (L) during a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on September 4, 2024

Will the new pope come from Asia?

Cardinals from Asia make up the second largest voting bloc this time around, next only to those from Europe.

Firefighters work on the roof of the Sistine Chapel to set a chimney, ahead of the conclave

Firefighters work on the roof of the Sistine Chapel to set a chimney, ahead of the conclave

Cardinals gather in Rome to elect new pope

Their presence has got the whole city buzzing about who will succeed the late Pope Francis.

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate mass in Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem in 2014

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate mass in Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem in 2014

Popemobile to become mobile clinic for Gaza's children

Pope Francis has donated one of his popemobiles to assist with healthcare for Gaza's children.

Cardinals dressed in red

Cardinals dressed in red

Vatican: Why conclave's new pope pick is hard to predict

The 2025 conclave is less predictable than ever after Francis shook up the Catholic Church during his years as pope.

Still image of the video showing the presenter of the show in front of an image of a Catholic church in Africa

Still image of the video showing the presenter of the show in front of an image of a Catholic church in Africa

Why the Catholic Church is more than religion in Africa

Did you know the Catholic Church in African nations plays a critical role in healthcare and education?

A worker installs the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on May 2, 2025.

A worker installs the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on May 2, 2025.

Chimney installed on Sistine Chapel for papal conclave

The conclave is set to vote for the next pope on May 7.

Cardinals attending the congregation, most of them with a red galero.

Cardinals attending the congregation, most of them with a red galero.

Conclave to elect new pope begins May 7

The date was decided in a closed-door meeting of cardinals at the Vatican. The pope will lead 1.4 billion Catholics.

Film still from 'Conclave': actor Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal wearing a red cap and robe, holding up an envelope.

Film still from 'Conclave': actor Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal wearing a red cap and robe, holding up an envelope.

'Conclave': Pope's election turned into political thriller

Cardinals come together in a Vatican conclave to elect the pope's successor in what's become a pop-culture sensation.

A worshipper takes a picture of Pope Francis' tomb

A worshipper takes a picture of Pope Francis' tomb

Mourners gather at Pope Francis' tomb

On the day after the late Pope Francis' funeral, mourners gather at his tomb in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

Many people lining up to visit the pope's tomb in the church

Many people lining up to visit the pope's tomb in the church

St. Mary Major church: Tomb of Pope Francis opens to public

Hundreds of people queued to visit the tomb of the late Pope Francis at the St. Mary Major church in Rome on Sunday.

The Popemobile with the coffin in the crowded streets of Rome

The Popemobile with the coffin in the crowded streets of Rome

'Grazie, Francesco': Pope buried in Rome

Some 250,000 attended Pope Francis' funeral in Rome on Saturday, including world leaders and ordinary people.

Soccer fans of various ages, many dressed in red-and-blue jerseys, take part in a religious service in memory of Pope Francis

Soccer fans of various ages, many dressed in red-and-blue jerseys, take part in a religious service in memory of Pope Francis

Soccer fans honor Pope Francis with memorial mass

Pope Francis' beloved soccer club in Buenos Aires, San Lorenzo, celebrated a mass dedicated to its most famous fan.

external

Pope buried in Santa Maria Maggiore basilica

DW’s Jack Parrock reports from inside the Vatican.

A picture of the late pope and many candles

A picture of the late pope and many candles

Argentina bids farewell to their 'hometown' Pope Francis

How do the people of his hometown, Buenos Aires, view Francis’ time as Pope?

Crowd of people queueing in front of St. Peter's Basilica

Crowd of people queueing in front of St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis: Crowds gather in Vatican ahead of funeral

Large crowds are queueing to bid their last farewell to Pope Francis. Over 128,000 people have arrived since Wednesday.

Three people stand on St. Peter's Square in the Vatican and look up at St. Peter's Basilica, where Pope Francis lies in state

Three people stand on St. Peter's Square in the Vatican and look up at St. Peter's Basilica, where Pope Francis lies in state

Thousands from around the world pay respects to Pope Francis

Mourners from around the world are streaming through Saint Peter's Basilica for a third and final day.

DW AfricaLink

DW AfricaLink

Remembering Pope Francis and his legacy in Africa

Ahead of Francis' funeral on April 26, DW speaks to Father Mushunje, a priest and long-time admirer of the late pope.

An image of Pope Francis, adorned with a black ribbon, stands on an altar in a church in Gaza

An image of Pope Francis, adorned with a black ribbon, stands on an altar in a church in Gaza

Palestinian Christians in Gaza: Pope Francis never forgot us

Pope Francis made sure to regularly call Palestinians sheltering in a small Catholic parish in Gaza City, offering hope.

Cardinal Peter Turkson is pictured shaking the hand of Pope Francis in 2022

Cardinal Peter Turkson is pictured shaking the hand of Pope Francis in 2022

Conclave: Odds are still against an African pope

The death of Francis has reignited hopes for an African leader to be installed at the top of the Catholic Church.

A long line of people waiting in St. Peter's Square to pay their respect to the late Pope Francis

A long line of people waiting in St. Peter's Square to pay their respect to the late Pope Francis

Mourners line up to pay their last respects to Pope Francis

Mourners have gathered at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to pay tribute to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday.

Pope Francis, seated, shakes hands with Cardinal Peter Turkson, standing, in June 2022

Pope Francis, seated, shakes hands with Cardinal Peter Turkson, standing, in June 2022

Africans wonder if it's time for a Black pope

Francis championed developing countries. Now many are asking if it's time for the first African pope in modern times.

A young woman wearing a head scarf talks to DW

A young woman wearing a head scarf talks to DW

Catholic, Muslim Indonesians praise Pope Francis' legacy

During his visit to Muslim-majority Indonesia last year, Francis emphasized solidarity and interfaith tolerance.

A rosary is seen as the body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican, April 21, 2025.

A rosary is seen as the body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican, April 21, 2025.

What happens after a pope dies?

Few things are as carefully choreographed in the Catholic Church as the period between two popes.

Cardinals queue in the Sistine Chapel to swear on the Bible to never reveal the secrets of their deliberations before the start of the conclave at the Vatican

Cardinals queue in the Sistine Chapel to swear on the Bible to never reveal the secrets of their deliberations before the start of the conclave at the Vatican

Conclave: How is a new pope chosen?

Who will be the next pope? The election process, called a papal conclave, will soon start.

A church service in Gaza remembers the late Pope Francis

A church service in Gaza remembers the late Pope Francis

Christians in Gaza pay tribute to Pope Francis

Christians in Gaza feel an emotional bond with Pope Francis, who communicated with a local parish on a daily basis.

During a church service in Buenos Aires, a mourner holds an image of Pope Francis into the camera

During a church service in Buenos Aires, a mourner holds an image of Pope Francis into the camera

Catholics worldwide mourn death of Pope Francis

The news of the pope's death has triggered mourning around the globe, with people sharing memories of his ministry.

A Nigerian man speaks into a DW microphone

A Nigerian man speaks into a DW microphone

Pope Francis' teachings 'were for humanity'

DW reporters have been out on the streets to hear how people in Nigeria and Kenya will remember Pope Francis.

A white chair on a red dias is illuminated, as dark clerical figures pass in the foreground

A white chair on a red dias is illuminated, as dark clerical figures pass in the foreground

How and where will Pope Francis be buried?

Pope Francis rewrote papal funeral rites in the last two years of his life, breaking with years of tradition.

Pope Francis holds a baby as he arrives to lead a special audience with Vatican workers in Paul VI hall at the Vatican December 22, 2016.

Pope Francis holds a baby as he arrives to lead a special audience with Vatican workers in Paul VI hall at the Vatican December 22, 2016.

Pope Francis: What legacy does he leave the Catholic Church?

Francis reshaped the tone of the Catholic Church as its first Latin American pontiff. What will remain of his papacy?

Pope Francis appoints new thirteen cardinals during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis appoints new thirteen cardinals during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica

Who will be the next pope after Francis?

Speculation is rife about the most likely candidates to succeed Pope Francis as the next pontiff.

Christians light candles, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City

Christians light candles, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City

Vatican prepares to choose next pope

The death of Pope Francis sets in motion a series of rituals, as the Catholic Church moves from one papacy to the next.

A black-and-white image of the late Pope Francis lifting his cap and nodding his head

A black-and-white image of the late Pope Francis lifting his cap and nodding his head

In pictures: Life and work of Pope Francis

During his papacy, Pope Francis called for peace, inclusion, environmental stewardship and economic justice.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass, at St Peter's square in the Vatican, on April 20, 202

Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass, at St Peter's square in the Vatican, on April 20, 202

Pope Francis: World, religious leaders pay their respects

Leaders from Asia to the Americas have paid tribute to Pope Francis following his death at the age of 88.

Pope Francis in a black-and-white photo

Pope Francis in a black-and-white photo

Pope Francis' life and legacy

After becoming leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis set out to reform the Vatican and promote climate action.

Pope Francis opens a "Holy Door" at St Peter's basilica to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, on December 8, 2015

Pope Francis opens a "Holy Door" at St Peter's basilica to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, on December 8, 2015

Did Francis live up to promise as 'pope of the poor'?

Pope Francis slammed capitalism, ecological destruction and preached tolerance, but didn't fulfill all expectations.

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in Saint Peters Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in Saint Peters Basilica at the Vatican.

Francis, a pope both conservative and unconventional

Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, brought change but he did not fulfill hopes for reform.

Pope Francis speaks from a balcony, on the day of the "Urbi et Orbi" message at St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, on April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis speaks from a balcony, on the day of the "Urbi et Orbi" message at St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, on April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis sits out Easter Mass, but greets crowd

The 88-year-old pope is recovering from double pneumonia, which left him fighting for his life in the hospital.

The Pope sits in a wheelchair, with a nasal breathing tube, waves

The Pope sits in a wheelchair, with a nasal breathing tube, waves

Pope Francis makes surprise appearance at the Vatican

Pope Francis met with crowds in his first oublic appearance since February 14 after being hospitalized from pneumonia

Tourists look at a piece of the Parthenon frieze in the British Museum

Tourists look at a piece of the Parthenon frieze in the British Museum

Are the Parthenon Sculptures finally returning to Greece?

After UK leaders refused to repatriate Parthenon marbles to Greece, a new government revives restitution hopes.

Pope Frances waves

Pope Frances waves

Pope Francis out of hospital after life-threatening illness

Before being discharged, the pontiff greeted crowds from a balcony at Rome's Gemelli hospital.

Pope Francis prays in the chapel of the Gemelli hospital, where he continues his treatment, in Rome, Italy, on March 16, 2025

Pope Francis prays in the chapel of the Gemelli hospital, where he continues his treatment, in Rome, Italy, on March 16, 2025

Pope Francis to be discharged after five weeks in hospital

Doctors treating the pope said he can return to the Vatican on Sunday but will need two months of rest.

Pope at a chapel in a hospital in Rome

Pope at a chapel in a hospital in Rome

Pope Francis' health 'improving,' Vatican says

Pope Francis is 'improving," continues to make progress at physiotherapy and remains fever-free, his doctors said.

Pope Francis shows him praying at the hospital where he is being treated

Pope Francis shows him praying at the hospital where he is being treated

Pope Francis photo released for first time since he fell ill

The 88-year-old could be seen praying as he sat in a wheelchair. His condition is described as stable.

A person praying with a photo of Pope Francis

A person praying with a photo of Pope Francis

Pope Francis showing 'good response' to treatment — Vatican

The 88-year-old pope has been hospitalized with pneumonia since February.