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Pope Francis
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Pope Francis

Pope Francis
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
August 2026, the Fire Monkey month, is all about transformation. Illustration: SCMP Graphics
Horoscopes

What’s your luck like in August 2026, the Fire Monkey month? Predictions for health, money and love

The Monkey – with famous examples like Celine Dion and Justin Timberlake – possesses a strong drive, but as we enter autumn, the stars are urging us to pause and reflect.

Mainland China

Vatican, Beijing agree on new China bishop as ordination fills 20-year vacancy

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Religion

My Take | Churches must ensure that complaints of sexual abuse are taken seriously

Sexual harassment and assault

Cardinal in Morocco steps back from duties after sexual assault claims

Spanish-born Cristobal Lopez Romero, who denies wrongdoing, was seen by some as a potential successor to Pope Francis in the 2025 conclave.

Cristobal Lopez Romero at the Cathedral of Tunis in Tunisia in 2020. The archbishop of Rabat said he was stepping back from his duties on Tuesday amid claims of sexual assault. Photo: AFP
Italy

Pope visits Africa-Europe crossing as anti-migrant policies rise in US, EU

The Catholic Church’s first US pope has clashed with the administration of President Donald Trump over its treatment of migrants.

Religion

Vatican excommunicates 6 bishops from rebel Catholic group

Holy See responds aggressively to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent.

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Americas and the Caribbean

US, Mexico Catholic bishops call for humane treatment of migrants

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in a statement opposed ‘the vilification of immigrants’ in the US under President Donald Trump.

Bishop James Misko, of Tucson, Arizona, blesses a woman’s rosary during Border Mass 250 at Parroquia de la Purisima Concepción in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Italy

Pope exalts first US saint as a model for Christians for her care of migrants

Mother Frances Cabrini, patron saint of migrants, is known for caring for Italian immigrants in the US at the turn of the last century.

Spain

Pope Leo’s plane grounded, so Spain’s king gives him a ride

The pontiff flew back to Rome on the monarch’s private jet after the papal aircraft’s engine failed to start.

Spain

Pope Leo blesses new tower at Spain’s Sagrada Familia

Spain’s king, queen and prime minister joined thousands inside the world’s tallest church to celebrate mass with the pontiff.

Fireworks explode during the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
European Union

Pope calls for ‘disarming’ of AI, technology should be ‘human friendly’

Pope Leo called for the ‘disarming’ of artificial intelligence, and warned of ‘new forms of slavery’ behind its rise.

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Pope Leo XIV attends the presentation of his first Encyclical Letter ‘Magnifica Humanitas’, focused on the rise of artificial intelligence, in The Vatican on Monday. Photo: AFP
Religion

Pope to inaugurate Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia in June trip to Spain

He will also visit a migrant reception centre in the Canary Islands.

Donald Trump

‘He’s endangering a lot of Catholics’: Trump takes another shot at pope

US president’s latest criticism threatens to derail Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s high-stakes mission to Rome.

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Italy

Rubio to visit Rome, meet Pope Leo who has clashed with Trump

US secretary of state also seeks a meeting with Italy’s Meloni, whom Trump has also turned against.

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Pope Leo has emerged as an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli led war with Iran, among other issues. Photo: TNS
Pope Leo XIV

‘Right to life’: Pope Leo urges worldwide abolition of death penalty

The pope’s video message, marking the 2011 Illinois abolition of the penalty, came shortly after the US mentioned potential firing squads.

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Pope Leo during a private audience with participants in the National Meeting of Catholic Religion Teachers in the Vatican on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Africa

Pope Leo denounces ‘colonisation’ of minerals on final leg of Africa tour

The pontiff warns that a global lust for profit ‘kills’ as he meets with a government accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism.

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.

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Donald Trump

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

The pontiff clarified that his Cameroon comments weren’t aimed at Trump amid media misinterpretations.

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Pope Leo arrives at Luanda International Airport in Angola on Saturday. Photo: IPA via ZUMA Press/dpa
Africa

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

Believers slept overnight on mats to hear the address from the pontiff, who has drawn Trump’s ire with his anti-war comments.

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.

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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.

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US President Donald Trump has feuded with Pope Leo over the Iran war. Photo: Reuters
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.

Pope Leo speaks to members of the media on board a plane on Wednesday en route to Yaounde, Cameroon, amid his apostolic journey. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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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.

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A Lebanese soldier next to a building destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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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’.

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.

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