Pope Francis’ most memorable moments as pontiff in photos
Up next
Author

1. Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church in March 2013, becoming the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere.


Pope Francis blesses sick and disabled people at the end of a pro-life Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, June 16, 2013.
Pope Francis blesses sick and disabled people at the end of a pro-life Mass in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, on June 16, 2013. AP


President Barack Obama, left, meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Thursday, March 27, 2014.
Former President Barack Obama meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican on March 27, 2014. AP

Pope Francis addresses the joint session of Congress in Washington, DC on September 24, 2014.
Pope Francis addresses the joint session of Congress in Washington, DC on Sept. 24, 2014. AFP via Getty Images


Pope Francis prays at Israel's separation barrier on his way to a Mass in Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Sunday, May 25, 2014.
Pope Francis prays at Israel’s separation barrier on his way to a Mass in Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on May 25, 2014. AP


Pope Francis greets Argentinian former football star Diego Armando Maradona (R) prior to a meeting with members of the Scholas Occurentes organization at the Vatican on September 4, 2014.
Pope Francis greets Argentine former football star Diego Armando Maradona before a meeting with members of the Scholas Occurrentes organization at the Vatican on Sept. 4, 2014. AFP via Getty Images

Pope Francis walks next to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, June 10, 2015.
Pope Francis walks alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin during their private audience at the Vatican on June 10, 2015. AP


Pope Francis, left, stands in front of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI entering St. Peter's Basilica accompanied by Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, right with back to camera, at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015.
Pope Francis, left, stands in front of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI entering St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Dec. 8, 2015. AP


Pope Francis (C) releases a dove as a symbol of peace during a meeting with Chaldean community at the Catholic Church of St Simon Bar Sabbae in Tbilisi, on September 30, 2016.
Pope Francis releases a dove as a symbol of peace during a meeting with the Chaldean community at the Catholic Church of St Simon Bar Sabbae in Tbilisi, on Sept. 30, 2016. AFP via Getty Images

Pope Francis walks towards the main entrance with the lettering "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work Sets You Free) at the former Nazi German Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Oswiecim on July 29, 2016 as part of his visit to the World Youth Days
Pope Francis walks towards the main entrance with the lettering “Arbeit Macht Frei” (Work Sets You Free) at the former Nazi German Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Oswiecim on July 29, 2016 as part of his visit to the World Youth Days. AFP via Getty Images


Pope Francis meets with US President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump on the occasion of their private audience, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 24, 2017.
Pope Francis meets with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican on May 24, 2017. AP


Pope Francis connects to the crew aboard the International Space Station from the Vatican, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.
Pope Francis connects to the crew aboard the International Space Station from the Vatican on Oct. 26, 2017. AP

Pope Francis smiles at the faithful from the Popemobile in Santiago, on January 15, 2018.
Pope Francis smiles at the faithful from the Popemobile in Santiago, on Jan. 15, 2018. AFP via Getty Images


Pope Francis greets faithful after celebrating Mass on the occasion of the Migrant and Refugee World Day, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019
Pope Francis greets the faithful after celebrating Mass on the occasion of Migrant and Refugee World Day in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sept. 29, 2019. AP


Pope Francis, surrounded by shells of destroyed churches, leads a prayer for the victims of war at Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq, once the de-facto capital of IS, Sunday, March 7, 2021.
Pope Francis, surrounded by shells of destroyed churches, leads a prayer for the victims of war at Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq, on March 7, 2021. AP

Pope Francis, right, meets with Iraq's leading Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq.
Pope Francis, right, meets with Iraq’s leading Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, Iraq, on March 6, 2021. AP


Pope Francis puts on an indigenous headdress during a meeting with Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit, at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church in Maskwacis, near Edmonton, Canada, Monday, July 25, 2022.
Pope Francis puts on an indigenous headdress during a meeting with Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Metis, and Inuit, at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church in Maskwacis, near Edmonton, Canada, on July 25, 2022. AP


Pope Francis holds a baby as he leaves at the end of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Pope Francis holds a baby as he leaves at the end of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, on Jan. 29, 2025. AP

Pope Francis delivers his Urbi Et Orbi Blessing from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Getty Images
You May Also Like
Do We Believe Them? Hamas Says They Will Finally Release American Hostage After More Than 580 Days

Can we trust Hamas? They claim they will finally free American captive after over 580 days.

They credit their “brotherly mediators,” which is disgusting because they behave like…
Israel-Hamas war latest: Edan Alexander, last living American hostage in Gaza, will be released in truce efforts

Recent update on Israel-Hamas conflict: Edan Alexander, the only surviving American captive in Gaza, to be freed as part of peace negotiations

In Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Hamas has announced that Edan Alexander, the…
Ivanka Trump, Kylie Jenner, Meghan Markle and more stars celebrate Mother’s Day 2025

Celebrity Mothers Celebrate Mother’s Day 2025

On Mother’s Day 2025, a number of celebrities such as Ivanka Trump,…
'New Beverly Hills' could be wiped off the map by silent crisis... as contagion spreads across East Coast

Silent Crisis Threatens New Beverly Hills as Contagion Spreads Across East Coast

One of the wealthiest counties in the US is facing a mass…
Virginia Giuffre 'was 'extremely distressed' about losing her multi-million pound Prince Andrew payout two weeks before her suicide'

Virginia Giuffre was ‘highly upset’ after losing her multi-million pound payout from Prince Andrew shortly before her death.

Before her death, Virginia Giuffre was very distressed and worried about potentially…
Edgewater shooting: Derrell Givens ID'd as 1 of 2 killed in Chicago shooting in 6300-block of North Broadway, officials say

Identification of Derrell Givens as one of the two victims in fatal shooting in Edgewater, Chicago’s 6300-block of North Broadway according to officials

CHICAGO (WLS) — One of two men killed in a North Side…
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce stun diners in Philadelphia as they break cover for first time in two months

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce surprise restaurant guests in Philadelphia after being out of the spotlight for two months

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were seen together in public for the…
Oh My: Jasmine Crockett Just Stepped in It Again With Comment About Who Donors Want In 2028

Uh-oh: Jasmine Crockett is in hot water for making another controversial comment about the preferences of donors in the 2028 election

Democrats can’t seem to stop the bleeding as they continue to wallow…
Beyonce suffers embarrassing fail on stage as she struggles to sell out 'flop' Cowboy Carter Tour

Beyonce Faces Challenge on Stage and Fails to Sell Out ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’ – A Look Behind the Scenes

After struggling to sell tickets for her troubled Cow Carter Tour, Beyoncé…
Putin savages Ukraine with drone attack hours after announcing Istanbul 'peace talks' that Trump called a 'potentially great day'

Putin launches drone attack on Ukraine shortly after announcing ‘peace talks’ in Istanbul that Trump praised as a ‘promising development’

Shortly after announcing peace negotiations that were praised by US President Donald…
Illinois 'Karina's Law' goes into effect to remove guns from domestic violence situations in Little Village mom's name, son speaks

Illinois enforces ‘Karina’s Law’ to take guns from domestic violence cases connected to a mom from Little Village, son shares perspective

CHICAGO (WLS) — This Mother’s Day, a new law that aims to…
Blake Lively's style makeunder as she's seen after Taylor Swift is dragged into Justin Baldoni lawsuit

“Blake Lively’s Updated Look Revealed Following Involvement of Taylor Swift in Justin Baldoni Lawsuit”

Blake Lively was seen in New York City amidst the ongoing Justin…