Pope Francis was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until his death in 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III.

1936Tommy Steele, English singer, guitarist, and actor^[†]

Sir Thomas Hicks, known professionally as Tommy Steele, is an English entertainer, regarded as Britain's first teen idol and rock and roll star.

Headlines from December 17, 1936

ROOSEVELT STRIPS INAUGURATION PLAN OF ITS USUAL POMP; Simple Ceremony as Mapped by Grayson Approved in Deference to Wintry Blasts. INAUGURAL BALL IS OUT Short Parade Will Be Composed Exclusively of Troops, Cadets and Midshipmen. INAUGURATION PLAN IS STRIPPED OF POMP

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PACTS TO MAINTAIN PEACE IN AMERICAS ADOPTED AT PARLEY; Consultation of 21 Nations Upon Threat of War Made Obligatory by Treaty. INTERVENTION IS BARRED Monroe Doctrine Held Ended by Latin-Americans by the Action at Buenos Aires. PEACE IN AMERICAS EMBODIED IN PACTS

EDWARD PLAYS GOLF WHILE RUMORS FLY; He Passes Day on Links and Bowling at His Retreat as Wild Tales Are Disproved. GOSSIP MISLEADS WRITERS Guards Still Bar All Access to Ex-King -- Flowers for Mrs. Simpson Decried at Cannes. EDWARD DISPORTS WHILE RUMORS FLY

Notable Births