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Pope Francis

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in December 1936 as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis is pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State. He was elected by a papal conclave on March 13, 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013.

Born

17 Dec 1936

Industry

Religion

Job Title

Pontiff

Pope Leo XIV arrives to lead Holy Mass at the Saurimo esplanade in Angola on Monday. Photo: EPA

Religion

Pope Leo criticises exploitation by world’s ‘authoritarians’ during Angola trip

The US pope, who has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump, has repeatedly criticised world leaders, without naming individuals.

20 Apr 2026 - 7:55PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Pope Leo seeks to defuse tensions with Trump, says not trying to debate him

19 Apr 2026 - 11:32AMvideocam

Africa

Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people

18 Apr 2026 - 1:15AM

Africa

In Cameroon, Pope Leo assails ‘tyrants ravaging’ world amid Trump row

‘The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild,’ Leo says.

16 Apr 2026 - 8:50PMvideocam

Pope Leo releases a white dove at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid escalating feud with pope

US president doubles down on religious imagery as his administration clashes with Pope Leo over the Iran war.

16 Apr 2026 - 3:40PMvideocam

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo stresses message of peace and unity despite another Trump attack

US-born pontiff urges respect for all people, says his travels have shown importance of pursuing dialogue between different communities.

16 Apr 2026 - 12:20AM

Fashion

Designer Filippo Sorcinelli on dressing the last three popes – interview

Also a perfumer and organist, Sorcinelli says his work for Popes Benedict, Francis and now Leo is ultimately inspired by his Catholic faith.

15 Apr 2026 - 3:00AM

Italian designer Filippo Sorcinelli has dressed the last three popes. Photo: Handout

Donald Trump

‘Someone must stand for a better way’: Pope speaks out after Trump’s attack

After the US president shatters norms with a direct hit on the pontiff, Leo says he will continue to speak out ‘loudly’ and promote peace.

14 Apr 2026 - 2:51AMvideocam

Middle East

Israeli bombardment kills infant in Lebanon during father’s funeral

The air strike took place on Wednesday amid hopes that the US-Iran ceasefire would apply to Lebanon, as Israeli strikes killed more than 350.

12 Apr 2026 - 9:41PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Madness or bluster? Trump’s apocalyptic language raises key questions

A last-minute ceasefire halts threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation, but fuels questions about Trump’s negotiating style and mental state.

8 Apr 2026 - 2:47PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump participates in the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, maintaining a public schedule even as his war with Iran raged. Photo: Reuters

Religion

Pope Leo calls for peace, dialogue amid Ukraine, Iran wars in Easter mass

Leo addressed some 50,000 in St. Peter’s Square and quoted his predecessor, who reminded the faithful of the ‘great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day’.

5 Apr 2026 - 7:35PM

Pope Leo XIV gestures from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after delivering his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (To the city and the world) message, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Italy

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

‘I carry all of this suffering in my prayer,’ the pontiff said before he set out for the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross.

4 Apr 2026 - 1:24PM

Pope Leo XIV

Pope slams widening ‘chasms between the poor and the rich’ on Monaco visit

Monaco is one of the few places in Europe where Catholicism remains the state religion.

28 Mar 2026 - 6:50PM

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo laments world ‘in flames’ at Ash Wednesday service

The pontiff said the ashes could represent cities destroyed by war, as well as the damage to the environment and international law.

19 Feb 2026 - 3:06AM

Pope Leo XIV puts ash on the head of one of the faithful during the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome. Photo: Reuters

King Charles III

Britain’s King Charles calls for ‘reconciliation’ in Christmas speech

UK monarch praises the courage of those who risked their lives for others during his fourth Christmas broadcast as king.

26 Dec 2025 - 8:37AM

Britain’s King Charles during the recording of his Christmas message. Photo: PA via AP

Pope Leo XIV

Pope calls for end to all wars in first Christmas as pontiff

‘May the clamour of weapons cease … and may the parties involved find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue’.

25 Dec 2025 - 7:54PMvideocam

United States

‘Architects of AI’ named Time’s 2025 Person of the Year

Time’s Person of the Year highlights how AI reshaped our world. Donald Trump was named 2024 honoree, succeeding 2023 winner Taylor Swift.

11 Dec 2025 - 11:14PM

Catholic Church

Vatican returns 62 artefacts connected to indigenous peoples from Canada

The move is part of the Catholic Church’s reckoning with its role in helping suppress indigenous culture in the Americas.

15 Nov 2025 - 8:11PM

Pope Francis meets First Nations, Metis and Inuit indigenous communities in Maskwacis, Alberta, Canada, on July 25, 2022. Photo: Reuters

Italy

Pope Leo visits ship sailing the Mediterranean on peace mission

Young people of different faiths have been sailing the Mediterranean on the Bel Espoir schooner vessel to promote peace and dialogue.

18 Oct 2025 - 6:11PM

King Charles III

King Charles to be first UK monarch to pray with pope in centuries

The occasion at the Sistine Chapel would mark a historic step towards unity between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

18 Oct 2025 - 1:59AM

Artificial intelligence

‘I am Jesus, how may I help you?’ AI chatbots offer spiritual guidance

Apps like Text With Jesus let people ostensibly ask questions of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and other religious icons via AI chatbots like ChatGPT.

7 Oct 2025 - 12:38PM

The “Text With Jesus” chatbot app is displayed on an iPhone on October 2, 2025. AI-based religious chatbots and other faith-based digital tools are growing in number, offering counsel, comfort and spiritual guidance during an age of rapidly transforming socialisation and engagement. Photo: AFP

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo declares teen computer whiz the first millennial saint

Carlo Acutis, who died at 15 in 2006, was known for using technology to spread his faith.

8 Sep 2025 - 10:53AM

A person holds a picture depicting Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be made a Catholic saint. Photo: Reuters

Religion

LGBTQ Catholics celebrate acceptance in Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome

LGBTQ groups attribute the change to Pope Francis, who had insisted the Catholic Church was open to everyone.

6 Sep 2025 - 10:08PM

The Philippines

Binondo: inside the 400-year-old heart of Filipino-Chinese heritage

For centuries, Manila’s Binondo district has been the centre of a Tsinoy culture that helped build the Philippines into what it is today.

6 Sep 2025 - 12:00PM

China-Vatican relations

Editorial | Cardinal’s meeting with Pope a good sign for Sino-Vatican relations

Hong Kong’s Catholic church has traditionally played a role in bridging the Vatican and the mainland, and it should continue to contribute in this way.

6 Sep 2025 - 7:15AM

Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong (right) speaks with Pope Leo XIV on September 2 at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Both held an in-depth exchange on the situation of the Church in China. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong politics

Pope Leo XIV pledges commitment to Beijing-Vatican ties: Hong Kong cardinal

Cardinal Stephen Chow reveals details after meeting the new pope for ‘an in-depth exchange on the situation of the church in China’.

4 Sep 2025 - 9:21PM

Cardinal Stephen Chow met Pope Leo XIV on September 2 at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Photo: Handout

Israel-Gaza war

Israel voices regret for deadly strike on Gaza church after Trump call

The US president called Netanyahu after having ‘not a positive reaction’ to the news, with the PM blaming a ‘stray’ round for the casualties.

18 Jul 2025 - 8:04AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church kills 2, cathedral official says

The Israeli Defence Forces said they are reviewing the incident and regret any damage, while Pope Leo said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the attack.

17 Jul 2025 - 11:37PM

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Pope Francis

Pope Leo criticises exploitation by world’s ‘authoritarians’ during Angola trip

The US pope, who has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump, has repeatedly criticised world leaders, without naming individuals.

Pope Leo seeks to defuse tensions with Trump, says not trying to debate him

Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people

In Cameroon, Pope Leo assails ‘tyrants ravaging’ world amid Trump row

‘The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild,’ Leo says.

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid escalating feud with pope

US president doubles down on religious imagery as his administration clashes with Pope Leo over the Iran war.

Pope Leo stresses message of peace and unity despite another Trump attack

US-born pontiff urges respect for all people, says his travels have shown importance of pursuing dialogue between different communities.

Designer Filippo Sorcinelli on dressing the last three popes – interview

Also a perfumer and organist, Sorcinelli says his work for Popes Benedict, Francis and now Leo is ultimately inspired by his Catholic faith.

‘Someone must stand for a better way’: Pope speaks out after Trump’s attack

After the US president shatters norms with a direct hit on the pontiff, Leo says he will continue to speak out ‘loudly’ and promote peace.

Israeli bombardment kills infant in Lebanon during father’s funeral

The air strike took place on Wednesday amid hopes that the US-Iran ceasefire would apply to Lebanon, as Israeli strikes killed more than 350.

Madness or bluster? Trump’s apocalyptic language raises key questions

A last-minute ceasefire halts threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation, but fuels questions about Trump’s negotiating style and mental state.

Pope Leo calls for peace, dialogue amid Ukraine, Iran wars in Easter mass

Leo addressed some 50,000 in St. Peter’s Square and quoted his predecessor, who reminded the faithful of the ‘great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day’.

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

‘I carry all of this suffering in my prayer,’ the pontiff said before he set out for the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross.

Pope slams widening ‘chasms between the poor and the rich’ on Monaco visit

Monaco is one of the few places in Europe where Catholicism remains the state religion.

Pope Leo laments world ‘in flames’ at Ash Wednesday service

The pontiff said the ashes could represent cities destroyed by war, as well as the damage to the environment and international law.

Britain’s King Charles calls for ‘reconciliation’ in Christmas speech

UK monarch praises the courage of those who risked their lives for others during his fourth Christmas broadcast as king.

Pope calls for end to all wars in first Christmas as pontiff

‘May the clamour of weapons cease … and may the parties involved find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue’.

‘Architects of AI’ named Time’s 2025 Person of the Year

Time’s Person of the Year highlights how AI reshaped our world. Donald Trump was named 2024 honoree, succeeding 2023 winner Taylor Swift.

Vatican returns 62 artefacts connected to indigenous peoples from Canada

The move is part of the Catholic Church’s reckoning with its role in helping suppress indigenous culture in the Americas.

Pope Leo visits ship sailing the Mediterranean on peace mission

Young people of different faiths have been sailing the Mediterranean on the Bel Espoir schooner vessel to promote peace and dialogue.

King Charles to be first UK monarch to pray with pope in centuries

The occasion at the Sistine Chapel would mark a historic step towards unity between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

‘I am Jesus, how may I help you?’ AI chatbots offer spiritual guidance

Apps like Text With Jesus let people ostensibly ask questions of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and other religious icons via AI chatbots like ChatGPT.

Pope Leo declares teen computer whiz the first millennial saint

Carlo Acutis, who died at 15 in 2006, was known for using technology to spread his faith.

LGBTQ Catholics celebrate acceptance in Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome

LGBTQ groups attribute the change to Pope Francis, who had insisted the Catholic Church was open to everyone.

Binondo: inside the 400-year-old heart of Filipino-Chinese heritage

For centuries, Manila’s Binondo district has been the centre of a Tsinoy culture that helped build the Philippines into what it is today.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Cardinal’s meeting with Pope a good sign for Sino-Vatican relations

Hong Kong’s Catholic church has traditionally played a role in bridging the Vatican and the mainland, and it should continue to contribute in this way.

Pope Leo XIV pledges commitment to Beijing-Vatican ties: Hong Kong cardinal

Cardinal Stephen Chow reveals details after meeting the new pope for ‘an in-depth exchange on the situation of the church in China’.

Israel voices regret for deadly strike on Gaza church after Trump call

The US president called Netanyahu after having ‘not a positive reaction’ to the news, with the PM blaming a ‘stray’ round for the casualties.

Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church kills 2, cathedral official says

The Israeli Defence Forces said they are reviewing the incident and regret any damage, while Pope Leo said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the attack.

Editorial | Cardinal’s meeting with Pope a good sign for Sino-Vatican relations