Sources: BBC
Pope Leo XIV consecrates Fr. Joseph Chang Yanfeng as the bishop of Chifeng in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China under the 2018 provisional framework, which cedes authority over its bishops to the Chinese government. 2026-07-22
Pope Leo XIV attends the oath-taking ceremony for the new batch of Pontifical Swiss Guards, becoming the first pope to do so since 1968. 2025-10-4
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, who served from 2005 until his resignation in 2013, dies at the age of 95, with the funeral scheduled for January 5. 2022-12-31
Pope Francis becomes the first Pope ever to address a Joint Session of the United States Congress. Afterwards, he greets onlookers at the National Mall. He addresses many issues: abortion and the sanctity of life, the importance of the family and of marriage, climate change, immigration and the refugee crises caused by global unrest, proper business conduct, and worldwide abolition of capital punishment. 2015-09-24
Black smoke rises from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, signalling that Roman Catholic Cardinals had not elected a new pope in the first vote of their secret conclave. 2013-03-12
The Vatican announces that the 2013 papal conclave to select a new pope will begin on March 12. 2013-03-8
Pope Benedict XVI delivers the annual Christmas message at Saint Peter's Square and holds the traditional Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. 2012-12-25
Pope Benedict XVI calls for a political solution to the conflict in Syria during his Christmas message, delivered to thousands of pilgrims in Vatican City. 2012-12-25
Pope Benedict XVI sends his first Twitter message with an assist using his personal account (pontifex Benedict XVI). 2012-12-12
Pope Benedict XVI names John of Avila and Hildegard of Bingen the 34th and 35th doctors of the Catholic church. 2012-10-7