· Cardinal Francis George of Chicago was almost certainly correct in principle when he foretold the anti-Christian persecution that is just starting to break surface; “I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square. . Pope Francis is the 267 th Pope to lead the Church since the death and resurrection of Jesus 20 centuries ago. 6, 1979. Pontiff uses visit to Greece to highlight plight of migrants and refugees, and voice concern over threat to democracy. Upon arrival, Francis was greeted by South Korean President Park Geun-hye. 2022. [26] [27] [28] In Sri Lanka he paid pastoral visits to Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Madhu and Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka. Catholic Schools. July 31, 2022. 6.