Pope Francis

Pope Francis is the current Bishop of Rome and the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, having assumed the papacy on March 13, 2013. He is known for his pastoral approach, emphasis on humility, and commitment to social justice, interfaith dialogue, and environmental issues. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he became the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere. Pope Francis is recognized for advocating for the marginalized and promoting a more inclusive and compassionate view of the Church, emphasizing mercy and forgiveness. His papacy has also focused on reforming the Vatican’s governance and addressing cases of clerical abuse within the Church.