Pope Francis life in photos: The Argentine pontiff leaves behind legacy of faith and kindness

Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, will be remembered as a bold pope who spoke up for the powerless.

Published on: Apr 21, 2025 3:27 PM IST

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Pope Francis, the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church and the first Latin American pope, represented over ten years of revolutionary leadership.In this photo, Pope Francis sits with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as they attend a family photo session, on the second day of the G7 summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort, in Savelletri, Italy, June 14, 2024. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo (REUTERS)

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Before his death, Pope Francis held a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Rome on Sunday. The duo exchanged Easter greetings. (AP)

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His life has been marked by both historic turning points and major obstacles, from his modest upbringing in Argentina to his time as pope, which was centered on social justice, interfaith understanding, and church reform.In 2015, Pope Francis arrives to address a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on September 24, 2015, making history as the first pontiff to do so. (AP)

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Pope Francis, who apologized to members of Canada's indigenous population, is wheeled passed teepees at the site of the former Ermineskin Residential School during his visit on July 25, 2022, in Maskwacis, Alberta, Canada.  (Getty)

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Pope Francis gives a rosary to Queen Mathilde of Belgium during a private audience on March 9, 2015, at the Vatican. GABRIEL BOUYS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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Pope Francis, flanked by cardinals, arrives in procession at St. Peter's Square during the Palm Sunday Mass on March 25, 2018, in Vatican City. Franco Origlia/Getty Images

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Pope Francis is welcomed by then-Iraqi President Barham Saleh at the presidential palace in Baghdad on March 5, 2021, on the first papal visit to Iraq. SABAH ARAR/AFP/GETTY

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Pope Francis celebrates the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on March 29, 2015. Vandeville Eric/AP Photos

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Pope Francis waves to the crowd while riding in the Popemobile during World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013. Sebastien Desarmaux/Getty Images.

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Newly elected Pope Francis I speaks to the waiting crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013, in Vatican City. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

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Francis kneels as he leads the Christmas Eve mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on December 24, 2014. Max Rossi/Reuters

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In this photo circa 1976 (from left) Victor Zorzin, rector of the School Maximo, Andres Swinnen, teacher of the novices, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, province superior, Carlos Cravena, minister of the school Maximo, and Hipolito Salvo, ex-provincial in Argentina. Less API/GAMMA/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

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Pope Francis speaks to migrants, wearing white caps, during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, on July 8, 2013. Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photos

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Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI postcards and souvenirs in the center of Rome on March 9, 2014. piola666/Getty Images

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Pope Francis, who was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Italian immigrant parents, was ordained as a Jesuit priest in December 13, 1969. (API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

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In this undated photo courtesy of Ediciones B from the book "El jesuita: la historia de francisco, el Papa argentino" by authors Sergio Rubin and Francesca Ambrogetti, (from left, standing) brother Alberto Horacio, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Oscar Adrian and sister Marta Regina, (sitting) sister Maria Elena, mother Regina Maria Sivori and father Mario Jose Francisco. Less API/GAMMA/Gamma-Raph/Getty Images.