(Andrew Medichini/The Associated Press) Francis still has a ways to go to outlive Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 at 93. But he's on track to equal or surpass Pope Gregory XII, perhaps best ...

Serving as pope for 25 years, Leo XIII’s papacy led him to become another longest serving pope who was renowned for his intellectual and social influence. He was instrumental in the development of ...

The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave, which was called after Pope Benedict XVI resigned. While Francis has praised Benedict’s humility ...

The humility has been *** sign of his 12 years as Pope. He immediately chose to live in the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican rather than the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace over there.

The pope’s words emphasized his humility and belief that simple acts of devotion could unite the church. His illness has made the appeal more urgent than ever. By Jason Horowitz Reporting from ...