The Papacy 2024-

The 2025 Jubilee is a jubilee in the Catholic Church celebrated in the year 2025, announced by Pope John Paul II at the end of the 2000 Great Jubilee. The papal bull proclaiming the Jubilee is “Spes non confundit” (Latin for “Hope does not disappoint”).
It runs from Christmas Eve (24 December) 2024 to Epiphany (6 January) 2026.

28 February
Pope Francis suffers ‘breathing crisis’ making condition suddenly worse
Vatican says pontiff was given non-invasive mechanical ventilation, to which he responded well and remains alert
A Vatican official said the breathing crisis on Friday did not last for long and that his doctors were expected to need 24-48 hours to assess how the event would affect his clinical condition.
The episode came after three days in which the pontiff’s health had shown “slight” improvements, meaning his situation was no longer considered to be critical.
On Wednesday, a CT scan of the pontiff’s chest “showed a normal evolution” of the inflammation in his lungs, while the “mild kidney insufficiency”, which was diagnosed on Sunday, had resolved.
It is unclear how long he will remain in hospital. The Vatican said earlier on Friday that Francis would not be leading the church service on 5 March to mark the beginning of Lent.

24 February
‘Night Went Well’ for Ailing Pope, Vatican Says
Francis is being treated for pneumonia, a complex infection and kidney problems that have left him in critical condition.
‘We are very worried’: Conclave cast express concern for Pope Francis in health crisis
Italian actors Isabella Rossellini and Sergio Castellitto lead well-wishers at the Sag awards hoping the ailing pontiff makes a quick recovery

23 February
‘Conclave’ wins Best Ensemble at the SAG Awards — here’s what it means for the Oscars race

21 February
Pope Francis ‘not yet out of danger’ and to stay in hospital for another week
Chronic illness remains but pontiff, 88, is stable and in good humour, doctor says

23 January
Pope warns Davos summit that AI could worsen ‘crisis of truth’
Francis calls for close oversight of technology that raises ‘critical concerns’ about humanity’s future
In a written address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland on Thursday, the pope said AI could fuel the “growing crisis of truth in the public forum”, as its output was almost indistinguishable from those of humans.
“This technology is designed to learn and make certain choices autonomously, adapting to new situations and providing answers not foreseen by its programmers, thus raising fundamental questions about ethical responsibility, human safety, and the broader implications of these developments for society,” he said in a statement read to Davos delegates by Cardinal Peter Turkson, a Vatican official.
The pope has first-hand experience of artificial intelligence’s ability to distort the truth – he is a popular subject in AI-generated deepfake images, including one of him embracing the singer Madonna and a second in a Balenciaga puffer jacket.

14 January
Hope by Pope Francis review – the first memoir by a sitting pontiff
A historic papal autobiography offers unique insights into the challenges faced by the leader of the Catholic church, but skates over scandals
‘Abuse, corruption, dark dealings’: Pope Benedict handed scandal documents to Francis
Pope Francis says in his autobiography he received a ‘large white box’ relating to ‘difficult and painful situations’

2024

24 December 2024
Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome’s patience
(AP) — Pope Francis kicked off the 2025 Holy Year on Tuesday, inaugurating a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome in a test of the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them.
From his wheelchair, Francis knocked a few times and the great Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica swung open. He was wheeled across the threshold as bells tolled across Rome and the choir inside the basilica began Christmas Eve Mass.