Pope Francis during his visit to Ireland

Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

LONGREAD

Remembering Pope Francis

From humble beginnings in Buenos Aires to the Vatican's highest office, these images capture the legacy of Pope Francis

Pope Francis — born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina — joined the Society of Jesus in 1958. He was ordained in 1969 at the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel, a Jesuit university and seminary in Buenos Aires.

Picture: Jesuit General Curia / Getty Images

Pictured as a young man, Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained for the Jesuits on 1969 at the Theological faculty of San Miguel was elected as Pope Francis on March 13, 2013. He was the first ever Jesuit pontiff. The Society of Jesus, founded in 1540 by the Spanish Ignatius of Loyola's, is a Christian male religious order of the Roman Catholic Church.

Bergoglio was named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and he became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.

Picture: STR / AFP / Getty Images

Jorge Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bergoglio was later appointed a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II, one of ten Cardinals named in Latin America.

Pope John Paul II named Bergoglio as a cardinal during a consistory in St Peter's Square on February 21, 2001, in the Vatican City.

Picture: Angelo Carconi / Pool / AP

Pope John Paul II names Jorge Mario Bergoglio as cardinal during a consistory in St. Peter's Square on February 21, 2001 in Vatican City, Vatican. Bergoglio was elected Pope on 13 March 2013, the second day of the 2013 papal conclave, taking the papal name Francis.

Pope Benedict XVI meets the man who would later succeed him, Cardinal Bergoglio, at the Vatican on January 13, 2007.

Picture: AFP / GETTY

Pope Benedict XVI meets the archbishop of Buenos Aires Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio at the Vatican, 13 January 2007.

Cardinal Bergoglio was elected as pope on March 13, 2013. He chose the name Francis, becoming the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Here, he waves to the waiting crowd from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. Francis was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere.

Picture: Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images

Newly elected Pope Francis waves to the waiting crowd from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis looks at the crowd from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on the day he became the pontiff.

Picture: AP Photo / L'Osservatore Romano,

Pope Francis waves from the Popemobile on his way to attend the Via Crucis on Copacabana Beach during the World Youth Day celebrations on July 26, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. More than three million attended the Catholic celebration.

Picture: Buda Mendes / Getty Images

Pope Francis waves from the Popemobile on his way to attend the Via Crucis on Copacabana Beach during World Youth a celebrations on July 26, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. More than 1.5 million pilgrims are expected to join the new pontiff for his visit to the Catholic Church's World Youth Day celebrations

Pope Francis was named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2013. Time said the Catholic Church's new leader had changed the perception of his organisation in an extraordinary way in a short time.

Picture: AP

Pope Francis was named Time magazine's 2013 Person of the Year. Time said the Catholic church's new leader had changed the perception of his organization in an extraordinary way in a short time.

Pope Francis meets Argentina football legend Diego Maradona during an audience with the players before the Interreligious Match For Peace at Olimpico Stadium on September 1, 2014, in Rome.

Picture: Pier Marco Tacca / Getty Images

Pope Francis met Diego Maradona during an audience with the players of the 'Partita Interreligiosa Della Pace' at Paul VI Hall before the Interreligious Match For Peace at Olimpico Stadium on September 1, 2014 in Rome, Italy.

Pope Francis laughs as he meets with newly married couples at the end of his weekly general audience at the Paul VI Audience Hall on January 28, 2015, at the Vatican.

Picture: Vicenzo Pinto / AFP

Pope Francis laughs as he meets with newly married couples at the end of his weekly general audience at the Paul VI hall on January 28, 2015 at the Vatican.

Pope Francis meets migrants at the Moria detention centre on April 16, 2016 in Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece.

Picture: Getty Images

At the 2016 World Youth Day event in Poland, Pope Francis visited the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Picture: Filippo Monteforte / AFP

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

Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley receiving a presentation from Pope Francis when he met the pontiff.

Picture: Supplied

During a visit to Italy in May 2017, President Michael D Higgins met with the Pope in the Vatican. They discussed "issues of mutual concern" including migration, climate change and global poverty.

Picture: Maxwell Photography

The communion procession takes place during the closing mass of the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland at the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

Visit to Venice and the Holy See by President of Ireland and Sabina Higgins 20-22 May 2017. Pic shows His Holiness Pope Francis and President Michael D Higgins meeting in the Vatican City, Rome.

Visit to Ireland

In August 2018, Pope Francis made a historic two-day visit to Ireland as part of the Catholic Church's World Meeting of Families. It was the first papal visit to the country since 1979. The above photo shows the communion procession taking place during the closing mass of the visit at Phoenix Park.

Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Upon Pope Francis's arrival in Ireland for the two-day event, he was greeted at Dublin Airport by then - tánaiste and foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney, his wife Ruth and their three daughters: Beth (9), Jessica (7) and Annalise (5). Pictured is Jessica, handing flowers to Pope Francis.

Picture: Julien Behal

Pope Francis arrives in Ireland for the 2018 World Meeting of Families. He is greeted on arrival at Dublin Airport by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., and his wife Ruth, along with their three daughters Beth (9), Jessica (7) and Annalise (5). Pictured is Jessica, handing flowers to Pope Francis.

Then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar greets Pope Francis in St Patricks Hall in Dublin Castle. Pope Francis said he shared in the "shame and pain" of the Catholic Church's "failure" to deal with years of sexual abuse scandals as he began the visit.

Picture: NIall Carson / Pool / Getty Images

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar greets Pope Francis in St Patricks Hall in Dublin Castle in Dublin on August 25, 2018. Pope Francis said he shared in the "shame and pain" of the Catholic Church's "failure" to deal with years of sexual abuse scandals as he began a historic two-day visit to Ireland on Saturday.

Pope Francis greets attendees during the Festival of Families at Croke Park. The event marked the official arrival of the pope at the World Meeting of Families. An estimated 82,500 people attended the event which saw Irish dancing, classical music, children’s choirs as well as testimonies given by families from across the globe.

Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Pope Francis greets attendees during The Festival of Families at Croke Park in Dublin.

During the visit, Pope Francis also visited Knock Shrine, Co Mayo, where he addressed the around 45,000 people who attended. The Shrine is a revered site in Catholicism after an apparition of the Virgin Mary occurred there in 1879. Pictured are pilgrims waiting for the pope's arrival

Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Pilgrims gather in the rain ahead of Pope Francis' visit to the holy shrine on August 26, 2018 in Knock, Ireland. Pope Francis is the 266th Catholic Pope and current sovereign of the Vatican. The Roman Catholic pilgrimage site is famous for it's shrine where the Blessed Virgin Mary was said to appear to villagers in an apparition along with Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist in 1879. The Pope Francis visit to Knock was the most recent visit by a Pope since John Paul II's arrival in 1979.

Members of the public wave flags at Knock Shrine in Co. Mayo.

Picture: Damien Eagers

The wind blows up Pope Francis Cassock at Knock Shrine Co. Mayo on Sunday during his visit to Ireland.

The wind blows up Pope Francis's cassock during a prayer service at Knock Shrine.

Picture: Eamon Ward

Pope Francis meets with pilgrims at Knock Shrine.

Picture: Maxwell Photography

Pope Francis lights a candle at Knock Shrine.

Picture: Ciro Fusco / POOL / AFP

Pope Francis lights a candle at the Knock Shrine, in Knock, County Mayo on August 26, 2018.

The closing mass of the World Meeting of Families saw the conclusion of the pope's visit to Ireland. Pope Francis greeted those in the crowd ahead of the service.

Picture: Brian Lawless / PA Wire

Pope Francis arrives to attend the closing Mass at the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin, as part of his visit to Ireland

The communion procession takes place during the Phoenix Park Mass. It centred on the Papal Cross in Phoenix Park, which was the site of Pope John Paul II's historic 1979 Papal Mass.

Picture: Brendan Moran / Sportsfile

A close-up of Pope Francis saying the Mass at the Phoenix Park.

Picture: Danny Lawson / PA Wire

Pope Francis attends the closing Mass at the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin, as part of his visit to Ireland.

A congregation of approximately 500,000 people were expected to attend the Mass. However, the number of people who turned out fell short of that due to poor weather, the amount of walking from the park entrance to standing positions and a ban on mobility scooters and large prams.

Picture: Matt Cardy / Getty Images

A congregation of approximately 500,000 people have gathered in Phoenix Park for the Closing Mass of the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland, centred on the Papal Cross in Phoenix Park, which was the site of the historic 1979 Papal Mass.

A group of nuns arrive to see Pope Francis attend the closing mass. During the service, the Pope vowed to pursue justice for victims of church abuse in Ireland.

Picture: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

A woman in Phoenix Park holds a statue of Pope Francis at the Mass.

Picture: Brian Lawless / PA Wire

A woman holds a statue of Pope Francis at closing Mass at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin's Phoenix park.

Some of the crowd who attended the Phoenix Park Mass. The Pope ended his historic visit to the country by seeking forgiveness for its dark litany of clerical crimes.

Picture: Maxwells Photography

People attend Pope Francis' closing Mass at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin's Phoenix park.

The Mass was attended by a number of clergy who are seen here taking their places while awaiting Pope Francis arrives.

Picture: WMOF18 / Maxwell Photography / PA Wire

Clergy take their places before awaiting Pope Francis arrives at the Phoenix Park.

As he prepares to depart Ireland, Pope Francis says goodbye to Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin at Dublin Airport.

Picture: Maxwells Photography

Pope Francis as he wishes Archbishop Diarmuid Martin farewell at Dublin Airport as he departs after his two day visit.

Pope Francis leaving on an Aer Lingus aircraft from Dublin Airport back to the Vatican putting an end to his visit to Ireland.

Pope Francis waves to the gathered crowd as he prepares to return to the Vatican, putting an end to his visit to Ireland.

Picture: Joe Giddens / PA Wire

Pope Francis stands with US president Donald Trump (centre right), First Lady Melania Trump (centre left) and Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump (left) during a private audience at the Vatican on May 24, 2017. That was the first face-to-face encounter between the pope and Mr Trump, who clashed on several issues.

Picture: Allesandra Tarantino / AFP / Getty Images

Pope Francis stands with US President Donald Trump, US First Lady Melania Trump and the daughter of US President Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, during a private audience at the Vatican on May 24, 2017. That was the first face-to-face encounter between two world leaders who clashed on several issues.

Pope Francis delivers his blessing from his window at the end of the Regina Coeli noon prayer, in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican. It was taken on May 24, 2020, at the height of the covid-19 pandemic. It was the first time in months that people could gather in St Peter’s Square for the traditional Sunday papal blessing. The square had been closed due to lockdown measures.

Picture: Vatican News / AP

Pope Francis to delivers his blessing from his window at the end of the Regina Coeli noon prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, May 24, 2020. For the first time in months, well-spaced faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the traditional Sunday papal blessing, since the square had been closed due to anti-coronavirus lockdown measures.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass during the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on June 29, 2020. Francis also blessed the Pallia for the metropolitan archbishops appointed during the year.

Picture: Angelo Carconi / Pool / AP

Pope Francis celebrates Mass during the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, June 29, 2020. Francis also blessed the Pallia for the metropolitan archbishops appointed during the year.

Pope Francis prays with priests during the covid pandemic. This photo was taken at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in the Vatican on September 30, 2020.

Picture: Filippo Monteforte / AFP

Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican on September 30, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who retired in 2013, greets Pope Francis as he pays him a visit after the Consistory on November 28, 2020. The Consistory is a meeting of the College of Cardinals and 13 new cardinals were elected at the meeting.

Picture: Vatican Media / AP

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis hold hands as he pays him a visit after the Consistory, with the 13 newly elevated Cardinals, at the Vatican, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.

A man dressed as the comic book character Spider-Man — who performs in hospitals for sick children — hands a Spider-Man mask to Pope Francis as they meet at the end of the weekly general audience on June 23, 2021, at San Damaso courtyard in the Vatican.

Picture: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

A man wearing a costume of the Spider-Man fantasy character, who performs in hospitals for sick children, hands a Spider-Man mask to Pope Francis as they meet at the end of the weekly general audience on June 23, 2021 at San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican.

President Michael D Higgins meets Pope Francis once again during a visit to Rome, this time on September 17, 2021. President Higgins presented the pope with a special ‘Fisherman’s Stick’ made on Inis Mór by artist Lochlainn Cullen. The stick is made of blackthorn wood, grown and crafted on the island, and adorned with cotton knots.

Picture: Maxwell Photography

Visit to Rome and the Holy See by The President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins. The President presented His Holiness with a special ‘Fisherman’s Stick’ made on Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands, one of the most Westerly points of Europe. The stick, made by artist Lochlainn Cullen is made of blackthorn wood, grown and crafted on the island, and adorned with cotton knots. The knots are arranged in a spiral called ‘St. Mary's Hitch’, consisting of three strands which are interwoven into one, representing the divine trinity. Lochlainn is very honoured to have this special, crafted stick with an island resonance be presented to Pope Francis whom he admires particularly for his respect for indigenous people, their lives, work and craft.

Former US president Joe Biden shakes hands with Pope Francis as they meet at the Vatican on October 29, 2021.

Picture: Vatican Media via AP

US President Joe Biden, shakes hands with Pope Francis as they meet at the Vatican, Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. The president takes pride in his Catholic faith, using it as moral guidepost to shape many of his social and economic policies.

A nun waits prior to the funeral mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St Peter's Square in the Vatican, on January 5, 2023. Pope Francis presided over the funeral of his predecessor, an unprecedented event in modern times.

Picture: Tiziana Fabi / AFP

Pope Francis pauses during an interview with The Associated Press at the Vatican, on January 24, 2023. Pope Francis said he hasn't even considered issuing norms to regulate future papal resignations and says he plans to continue on for as long as he can as bishop of Rome, despite a wave of attacks against him by some top-ranked cardinals and bishops.

Picture: Domenico Stinellis / AP

Pope Francis pauses during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Pope Francis said he hasn't even considered issuing norms to regulate future papal resignations and says he plans to continue on for as long as he can as bishop of Rome, despite a wave of attacks against him by some top-ranked cardinals and bishops.

At the World Youth Day in August 2023, Pope Francis held a meeting with authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps at the Belem district's cultural centre in Lisbon, Portugal, during a five-day visit at the gathering of young Catholics. Then 86, the pope had undergone major abdominal surgery just two months previously, but that had not stopped an event-packed 42nd trip abroad, with 11 speeches and around 20 meetings scheduled.

Picture: Marco Bertorello / AFP

Pope Francis holds a meeting with authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps at the Belem district's cultural centre in Lisbon, during his five-day visit to attend the World Youth Day (WYD) gathering of young Catholics, on August 2, 2023. Pope Francis arrived in Lisbon to gather with a million youngsters from across the world at the World Youth Day (WYD), held as the Church reflects on its future. The 86-year-old underwent major abdominal surgery just two months previously, but that had not stopped an event-packed 42nd trip abroad, with 11 speeches and around 20 meetings scheduled.

Crowds gather as Pope Francis presides over a mass on World Children's Day at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on May 26, 2024.

Picture: Filippo Monteforte / AFP

A general view show people gathering as Pope Francis presides a mass on World Children's Day at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on May 26, 2024.

On June 14, 2024, Pope Francis met with more than 100 comedians from around the world, encouraging them to use their powerful gift of humour to spread laughter “in the midst of so much gloomy news”. The group included Irish comics Tommy Tiernan, Ardal O'Hanlon and Patrick Kielty. The picture shows the pope enjoying a light-hearted moment with a group of comedians including US stars Stephen Colbert, Chris Rock and Jimmy Fallon.

Picture: Vatican Media via Vatican Pool

On June 14, 2024, Pope Francis met with artists from the world of humour at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis met with more than 100 comedians from around the world including Tommy Tiernan & Ardal O'Hanlon, encouraging them to cheer people up and help people see reality with all its contradictions.

Pope Francis meets with a group of Mexicans dressed as Aztecs during a weekly general audience on August 7, 2024, at the Vatican.

Picture: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

Pope Francis meets with a group of Mexican dressed as Aztecs (Tonatiuh) during a weekly general audience on August 7, 2024 at Paul-VI hall in The Vatican.

Pope Francis greets the crowd at the end of a mass for the opening of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, on October 2, 2024, at St Peter's Square in the Vatican.

Picture: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

Pope Francis holds the hand of a toddler as he salutes people at the end of his weekly general audience in the Vatican on February 12, 2025. Two days later, on February 14, he would be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following a bout of bronchitis.

Picture: Alessandra Tarantino / AP

Pope Francis holds the hand of a toddler as he salutes faithful at the end of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.

Pope Francis poses with nuns at the end of the weekly general audience on February 12, 2025.

Picture: Filippo Monteforte / Pool / AFP

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