From John XXIII to Francis: The first messages of the last 6 popes

Since Pius X, the last ten popes have marked their mark on the Catholic Church and have not always followed the line of their predecessors Francis II, John Paul III, Pius XVIII or Benedict XVII: the AI predicts the most likely names for the new Pa

More than sixty years ago, another pontiff, John XXIII, left this world behind a papacy that shook the foundations of the institution in a totally unexpected way. Two Popes, two turbulent epochs, united by a desire for openness in very different worlds. Imagine the scene: May and June 1963. John XXIII agonizes. Rome bulles. A Roman nun, asks aloud: “This Pope was a true Christian.

From John XXIII to Francis: The first messages of the last 6 popes

As the conclave continues its sacred search for the 266th successor of St. Peter, pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square — and millions around the world — eagerly await the appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel and the proclamation of “habemus papam” from a balcony overlooking the square. In anticipation of that moment, take a look back at some of the earliest words shared by the past six popes — whether spoken from the balcony or during the…