Papacy

religion

Whether the pope is in heaven addresses Catholic belief about his status after death. The Church teaches that salvation depends on Christ, and entry into heaven requires divine...

religion

Any baptized Catholic male can be elected pope, whether or not he is a cardinal. While most recent popes have been cardinals, it is not a rule or a requirement. The only formal...

religion

When people ask, "Who is Pope Leo?" they are usually asking about the current leader of the Roman Catholic Church in the early 21st century. Pope Leo, like his predecessors, car...

Celebrity Profiles

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. As of 2026, the reigning pope is Pope Francis, who was elected on 13 March 2013. He is the first pope...

religion

As of 2025, the head of the Roman Catholic Church is Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Elected in March 2013, he is the first Jesuit pope and...

Catholic Church

As of mid-2025, the pope is Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was elected on 13 March 2013 and continues in office; no successor has been n...

Catholicism

When a new pope is elected, one of his first acts is to choose a papal name. While seemingly a personal decision, the practice mixes tradition, symbolism, and precedent. The sel...

Relationships

The relationship between the Pope and the king has shaped European politics and religion for more than a millennium. At its core, this dynamic involves competing and cooperating...

Catholic Church

As of 2025, the reigning pope is Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was elected on 13 March 2013 and remains the leader of the Roman Catholi...

Christianity

The pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the sense of being its visible head of governance and final ordinary authority for doctrine and discipline. This does not me...