One Year In: A look at Pope Francis’ First Year of Papacy [Interactive Timeline]

Pope Francis was involved with significant events during his first year of papacy and these events provided a powerful foundation for his future works in addition to providing insight on his integrity and the legacy that he most certainly will create.

Interactive Timeline

March 13, 2013

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina, born on December 17, 1936, is elected Pope by a papal conclave. He takes the name Pope Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.

March 15, 2013

Pope Francis urges his fellow Argentinians to remain in-country and to not fly to Rome of his inauguration. He recommends that any money that would have been spent for travel instead be donated to the poor.

March 16, 2013

The Pope made an address to journalist and states, “Oh how I would like a poor Church, and for the poor” which hinted at his devotion and commitment to this topic.

March 19, 2013

At the Papal inauguration of Pope Francis, the Pope held his first Mass and commented on the need of the world to focus on environmental matters and care for the earth in addition to caring for each other as Joseph cared for Jesus and Mary.

March 23, 2013

Pope Francis traveled out of Rome to visit his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. This marked the first time in over 600 years when a current Pope met with a former Pope.

March 28, 2013

In an event that stunned traditional Catholics and those involved with Church history, Pope Francis invited women and Muslims to a Holy Thursday foot washing ceremony held at a juvenile prison.

April 13, 2013

The Pope made his first major papal decision by establishing an advisory board that would assist him with the oversight and reform of the Vatican’s administration.

June 26, 2013

In order to rectify the existing financial scandals that had plagued the Vatican, Pope Francis developed and empowered a commission to examine and restructure the Vatican bank.

July 1, 2013

Consistent with his efforts for establishing a humble Church for the people, Pope Francis removes the Vatican Bank’s Director and Deputy Director in light of $26 million smuggling scandal.

July 19, 2013

Pope Francis followed up on his earlier charge to reform the Vatican bank and creates an additional commission that is made up of laypeople to advise him on proper protocol for financial transparency and enforcement of accounting ethics.

July 23, 2013

The Pope traveled to Brazil marking his first international trip as the Pope. Huge crowds turn out to see the Pope and celebrate.

July 29, 2013

During his return flight to Rome from Brazil, Pope Francis held an open conversation with journalists and discussed several different issues and matters. It is on this flight that the Pope made his well known comment, “If a person is gay, and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?”

September 19, 2013

In what has become a now famous interview, the Pope told America (The National Catholic Review), “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible.”

October 23, 2013

Pope Francis banished a high ranking German member of the clergy for misappropriation of Church funds after the prelate spent over $43 million on his own home.

December 11, 2013

TIME Magazine names Pope Francis 2013’s Person of the Year.

December 25, 2013

In a Christmas message, the Pope delivered a message of peace and asked for atheists to unite to everyone from all religions and focus on worldwide peace.

February 13, 2014

Pope Francis meets with members of the American Jewish Committee and calls on the two faiths to grow in understanding and respect for one another as both Christians and Jews strive to establish a peaceful and just community.

February 22, 2014

Pope Francis holds his first consistory where he appointed 19 new cardinals 16 of which were eligible to vote in the papal conclave. More significant, however, 9 of the new appointees were from South America, Africa, and Asia. This special occasion was even more significant as both Francis and his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI made a rare joint public appearance.

March 3, 2014

Mondadori, the largest publisher in Italy, launches Il Mio Papa the first magazine devoted to news of the pope.

March 5, 2014

Italian magazine Corriere della Sera publishes an interview with the pope. Among the topics discussed were the Church’s opinions on contraception, the modern state of marriage and the family, and the Church’s practices regarding transparency in dealing with sexual abuse scandals. Also, regarding civil unions for homosexual couples, Pope Francis stated that “One needs to see the different cases and evaluate them in their variety” marking the first time a pope has ever been as open to publicly recognizing homosexual unions.

March 13, 2014

Pope Francis celebrates his one-year anniversary in the papal office.