Skip to content

Life of Pope Francis before his pontificate

The EWTN Vatican Summer Academy has ended, a deep-dive into the world's most prominent Marian Sanctuary, and a look into Pope Francis's life before his pontificate.

I wish you a happy feast for the coming Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. 

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

Our EWTN Vatican Summer Academy came to a close with the Jubilee of Youth. We have compiled the beautiful work of the participants, who spent two weeks with our Vatican Bureau to learn from the best about the future of Catholic journalism. 

As this month of August carries on, devoted to Mary in a particular way, come with us to Rome’s most prominent place of devotion to the Mother of God: the Major Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, made more popular through the devotion of Pope Francis from the very start of his pontificate.

Reflecting upon Pope Francis’ impact, we travel to Buenos Aires to meet those who knew Jorge Mario Bergoglio best, from childhood friends to clergy and journalists. This EWTN News one-hour documentary explores his early vocation, years in Córdoba, and the question: why he never returned to Argentina as Pope?

Thank you for your continued support, and always remember: God has a plan for each of us, and He makes no mistakes,

Andreas Thonhauser

P.S. We can bring the Eternal Word to the ends of the earth. Make a donation today to enlighten the world with the light of Christ. 

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp

EWTN

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

I agree that EWTN will keep me informed about news, faith stories and how to best support their work. You will never receive e-mails from us that you do not want to receive. You can unsubscribe any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

More news related to this article

Society of St. Pius X clergy process during the consecration ceremony of four new bishops of the society on July 1, 2026, in Ecône, Switzerland. | Credit: Society of St. Pius X

SSPX rejects Vatican’s excommunication, calls it ‘objectively’ unjust and invalid

In a letter addressed to Pope Leo XIV, released on July 3, Father Davide Pagliarani, superior general of

The Resignation of Benedict XVI

When Pope Benedict died in Rome, the people of the Eternal City said that it was the second

Pope meets with priests, families to confront poverty, social marginalization

Pope Francis met with priests of Rome’s 17th prefecture — which sits on the eastern edge of the metropolitan area — in the Parish of Santa Maria Madre dell’Ospitalità in Villa Verde
Pope Leo XIV with Archbishop Juan Nsue Edjang Mayé of Malabo at the Leo XIV Campus of the National University of Equatorial Guinea on April 21, 2026. | Credit: Patrick Leonard/EWTN News

Pope Leo XIV: Universities must seek truth and form the whole person

At the inauguration of a new campus named in his honor in Equatorial Guinea, the pope urged the

Vatican expert to go to Bolivia to examine the progress being made in sex abuse prevention

Vatican's top abuse investigator Maltese archbishop Charles Scicluna (right) and fellow papal envoy Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu give a press conference at the Apostolic Nunciature in Santiago, Chile, on June 19, 2018.

Pope Francis extends time to appeal dismissal from consecrated life

Pope Francis amended canon law on Monday to give members of institutes of consecrated life more time to

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com