Pope Francis
In short
Pope Francis was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 2013 until his death in April 2025.
In plain words
He was the leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide. He was the first person from the Americas to hold this role and the first member of the Jesuit order to become pope.
A simple example
As Pope, he made important decisions about church rules and travelled to many countries to meet with people.
Why it matters
His leadership changed how the Church approached social issues and poverty. He was a historic figure because he broke the long tradition of European popes.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse him with his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.