Pope Francis Life in Photos

Web Desk

21 April, 2025 13:50

Pope Francis Life in Photos

Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, has spent over a decade steering the Church through profound change. Known for his focus on compassion, social justice, interfaith dialogue, and reform, his journey from a modest upbringing in Argentina to becoming a globally influential spiritual leader has been marked by remarkable milestones and challenges.

Early Life of Pope Francis

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he is the eldest of five children in a family of Italian immigrants. His father, Mario José Bergoglio, was a railway accountant, and his mother, Regina María Sívori, was a homemaker.

Below are the photos that capture his influential life moments:

On March 11, 1958, Jorge Mario Bergoglio joined the Society of Jesus, beginning his path toward priesthood.

On December 13, 1969, he was ordained a Jesuit priest.

On March 13, 2013, he was elected as the 266th pope and chose the name Francis.

On July 8, 2013, he made his first pastoral visit to Lampedusa, Italy, to raise awareness about migrant struggles.

On July 27, 2013, during World Youth Day in Rio, he traveled through crowds in a more modest Popemobile to stay connected with people.

On December 24, 2014, he led Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, delivering a message of humility and simplicity.

On March 9, 2014, Rome visitors were offered a variety of souvenirs, including papal blessings and Italian crafts.

On March 29, 2015, during Palm Sunday Mass, he prayed for the victims of the Germanwings crash, calling for solidarity and compassion.

On March 25, 2018, during Palm Sunday Mass, he and the cardinals wore red vestments, with mitres representing authority and white garments symbolizing purity and resurrection.

Every Sunday, on January 12, 2025, Pope Francis delivers his Angelus blessing from St. Peter’s Square, offering a brief reflection, prayers, and a blessing, often addressing global issues and emphasizing themes of mercy, solidarity, and social justice.

On March 9, 2015, Pope Francis met with Queen Mathilde of Belgium to discuss humanitarian issues like social justice, education, and mental health, which the queen actively supports.

On March 5, 2021, Pope Francis made a historic visit to Iraq, becoming the first pope to travel there, with stops in Baghdad, Najaf, and Mosul, where he advocated for peace and reconciliation.

On July 25, 2022, Pope Francis visited Canada to apologize for the Church’s role in the residential school system, meeting with Indigenous survivors and calling for reconciliation and justice.

On November 22, 2023, Pope Francis met Palestinian families at the Vatican, expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and emphasizing peace, dialogue, and justice.

On October 11, 2024, Pope Francis met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican, discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, humanitarian efforts, and peace negotiations.

On March 27, 2014, Pope Francis held his first meeting with President Barack Obama at the Vatican, discussing shared concerns like poverty and international conflicts.

On September 24, 2015, Pope Francis addressed a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill, receiving applause from then-Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker John Boehner.

On May 24, 2017, Pope Francis met President Donald Trump at the Vatican, engaging in discussions on peace, religious freedom, and humanitarian issues.

On October 29, 2021, President Joe Biden met Pope Francis at the Vatican, discussing climate change, poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic during a personal and broad conversation.