Papacy

Catholicism

Because the current pope’s status is not public, this page explains the ordinary, repeatable process the Catholic Church uses to elect a new pope. If a papal vacancy occurs in...

religion

Pope Francis is the head of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, serving as pope since his election on 13 March 2013. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in...

reference

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

religion

The individual who holds the office of Pope is the Bishop of Rome and head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church. The current Pope’s birth name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He w...

Celebrity Profiles

In everyday language, 'pope king' appears to describe a single figure who is both pope and king, yet historically these roles have almost always been distinct. This evergreen ex...

Religion & Spirituality

Pope burns is an uncommon phrase with no recognized institutional or ceremonial meaning in Catholicism or other churches. In literal usage, it could describe a physical fire inv...

Religion & Spirituality

The short answer to whether the pope has to be a man is yes, according to current Catholic canon law and longstanding tradition. Only a baptized male can validly be ordained as...

person

Pope Francis is the head of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, elected on 13 March 2013 as the 266th pope. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos A...

Status Updates

As of 2025, Pope Leo does not have a wife. The papacy requires its holder to remain celibate, and the individual serving as pope is expected to take a vow of chastity. This stat...