Happy Anniversary: Pope Francis celebrates two years at the Vatican

In just two years, Pope Francis has reached almost the same level of popularity as John Paul II.

March 13, 2015 marks Pope Francis' second anniversary at the Vatican. In just two years, the Pope has sparked an undeniable turnaround in the Catholic people and at the Vatican.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - To celebrate his marked anniversary, Pope Francis gave out "a little of what he talks about so much: forgiveness, mercy and compassion," according to CBS News.

The beloved pope heard confessions from the devout in St. Peter's Basilica. Once again, Francis "stunned the world by confessing in public" something no pope has ever done before him.

The changes Francis has inspired in the religion is being referred to as a revolution in the Vatican. "The scandals have been reduced in number. Attention has been directed elsewhere," Cardinal Velasio de Paolis, former head of Holy See finances, told an Italian daily.

Light a prayer candle for Pope Francis' future now!

Pope Francis has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Catholic people and the public in general.

"He's changed my faith," lapsed Catholic Rossella Devivo said. "I had absolutely no intention of entering a church, but since he's been pope, I have grown more religious. This is absolutely incredible for me. He has brought me closer to the church."

Our Pope has been placed on the cover of popular magazines such as, Rolling Stone, Esquire and Time Magazine. Time Magazine named Francis the 2013 Person of the Year. That recognition took the widely popular John Paul II over 15 years to achieve.

According to CBS News, a recent poll showed 9 out of 10 American Catholics approve of Pope Francis, and 7 out of 10 Americans of all religions, even no religion, approve of him.

Attendance at Vatican events have soared to new lengths; Francis' appearance in the Philippines in January is noted as the "biggest papal event in world history, drawing over 6 million pilgrims to mass in Manila," according to CBS News.

It is Pope Francis' simple lifestyle, humour and humility that has gained him such a large following; he is a relatable pope.

"If I were to try to act differently, I'd look ridiculous," he told a friend.

"He has breathed life for the poor into the church," says Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo, a CBS News consultant and theologian on the staff of the Pontifical North American College at the Vatican. "This pope isn't known for building St. Peter's Basilica or the Sistine Chapel. He's known for building showers for the tramps, and visiting parishes in the most peripheral areas of the city, areas suffering from drugs and crime."

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