A look back at Pope Francis’ life and legacy

NPR Staff | April 21, 2025

Pope Francis waves to thousands of followers as he arrives at the Manila Cathedral on January 16, 2015 in Manila, Philippines.

Pope Francis died Monday, the day after Easter, at the age of 88. As the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, he left behind a legacy of service, unity, and compassion.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was the son of Italian immigrants. He was named a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001 and was elected pope on March 13, 2013.

Pope Francis was the first non-European pope in more than a millennium and the first Latin American pontiff. He preached of peace and acceptance — and reflected those values through his actions. He was the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress in the United States and the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula, known as the birthplace of Islam, a historic moment for interfaith dialogue.

Here’s a look at those and other defining moments from Pope Francis’ papacy:

Pope Francis waves to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square during the Pilgrimage of Italian teenagers on April 18, 2022, in Vatican City.
Pope Francis waves to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square during the Pilgrimage of Italian teenagers on April 18, 2022, in Vatican City. (Antonio Masiello | Getty Images)
Pope Francis visits the ward of Rome's Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital on March 19, 2022, where Ukrainian children were hospitalized.
Pope Francis visits the ward of Rome’s Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital on March 19, 2022, where Ukrainian children were hospitalized. (Mondadori Portfolio | Getty Images)
Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard on Sept. 30, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the Vatican’s San Damaso Courtyard on Sept. 30, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Filippo Monteforte | AFP via Getty Images)
Pope Francis delivers an Urbi et Orbi prayer from the empty St. Peter's Square due to the COVID-19 pandemic at the Vatican on March 27, 2020.
Pope Francis delivers an Urbi et Orbi prayer from the empty St. Peter’s Square due to the COVID-19 pandemic at the Vatican on March 27, 2020. (Yara Nardi | AP)
Pope Francis wears a face mask to curb the spread of COVID-19 as he arrives in the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard for his weekly general audience on May 12, 2021.
Pope Francis wears a face mask to curb the spread of COVID-19 as he arrives in the Vatican’s San Damaso Courtyard for his weekly general audience on May 12, 2021. (Alessandra Tarantino | AP)
Pope Francis leaves after taking a family photo with diplomats accredited to the Holy See inside the Sistine Chapel at the end of an audience for the traditional exchange of New Year greetings at the Vatican on Jan. 8, 2018.
Pope Francis leaves after taking a family photo with diplomats accredited to the Holy See inside the Sistine Chapel at the end of an audience for the traditional exchange of New Year greetings at the Vatican on Jan. 8, 2018. (Andrew Medichini | AP)
Pope Francis attends the Liturgy of the Light during the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on April 20, 2019.
Pope Francis attends the Liturgy of the Light during the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 20, 2019. (Franco Origlia | Getty Images)
Pope Francis walks out from Assumption Cathedral as Thai youth reach out to touch him in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov. 22, 2019.
Pope Francis walks out from Assumption Cathedral as Thai youth reach out to touch him in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov. 22, 2019. (Paula Bronstein | Getty Images)
Pope Francis is welcomed by Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (left) and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (right) upon his arrival to the presidential palace on Feb. 4, 2019. The moment marked the first ever papal visit to the Arab Peninsula.
Pope Francis is welcomed by Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (left) and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (right) upon his arrival to the presidential palace on Feb. 4, 2019. The moment marked the first ever papal visit to the Arab Peninsula. (Gehad Hamdy | DPA / Picture Alliance via Reuters)
Pope Francis at the San Paolo della Croce parish in Corviale, a suburb of Rome, for a pastoral visit on April 15, 2018.
Pope Francis at the San Paolo della Croce parish in Corviale, a suburb of Rome, for a pastoral visit on April 15, 2018. (Silvia Lore | NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Pope Francis meets migrants at the Moria detention center on April 16, 2016, in Mytilene, Greece.
Pope Francis meets migrants at the Moria detention center on April 16, 2016, in Mytilene, Greece. (Andrea Bonetti | Greek Prime Minister’s Office via Getty Images)
Pope Francis plays with a ball as he meets players in the Clericus Cup on May 29, 2019, in Vatican City.
Pope Francis plays with a ball as he meets players in the Clericus Cup on May 29, 2019, in Vatican City. (Franco Origlia | Getty Images)
Pope Francis addresses a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24, 2014. The Pope was the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church to address a joint session of Congress.
Pope Francis addresses a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24, 2014. The Pope was the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church to address a joint session of Congress. (Vincenzo Pinto | AFP via Getty Images)
Hundreds of thousands of people crowd Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach on July 28, 2013, as Pope Francis celebrates the final Mass of his visit to Brazil.
Hundreds of thousands of people crowd Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach on July 28, 2013, as Pope Francis celebrates the final Mass of his visit to Brazil. (Christophe Simon | AFP via Getty Images)
A woman reads an extra edition of a newspaper with the announcement of the the election of Argentina's cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Pope Francis I on March 13, 2013, in Medellin, Colombia.
A woman reads an extra edition of a newspaper with the announcement of the the election of Argentina’s cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Pope Francis I on March 13, 2013, in Medellin, Colombia. (Raul Arboleda | AFP via Getty Images)
Newly elected Pope Francis I waves to the waiting crowd from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013.
Newly elected Pope Francis I waves to the waiting crowd from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on March 13, 2013. (Jeff J Mitchell | Getty Images)
A man looks out from a window near to the statue of St. Paul as black smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals has failed to elect a new pope on March 13, 2013.
A man looks out from a window near to the statue of St. Paul as black smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals has failed to elect a new pope on March 13, 2013. (Dan Kitwood | Getty Images)
Pope John Paul II names Jorge Mario Bergoglio a cardinal during a consistory in St. Peter's Square on Feb. 21, 2001.
Pope John Paul II names Jorge Mario Bergoglio a cardinal during a consistory in St. Peter’s Square on Feb. 21, 2001. (Franco Origlia | Getty Images)
Jorge Bergoglio with his family in an undated image. From left to right, standing, brother Alberto Horacio, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Oscar Adrian and sister Marta Regina, sitting, sister Maria Elena, mother regina and father Mario Jose Francisco.
Jorge Bergoglio with his family in an undated image. From left to right, standing, brother Alberto Horacio, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Oscar Adrian and sister Marta Regina, sitting, sister Maria Elena, mother regina and father Mario Jose Francisco. (API | Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

 

What children in poverty could lose from the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

Republicans want to change or reduce key social safety net programs that provide healthcare, food benefits and financial assistance for millions of children.

Bessemer recommends changing its laws to accommodate one of the country’s largest proposed data centers

Despite overwhelming public opposition, officials in Bessemer voted to recommend changes to city zoning ordinances to allow the massive development. Its operation could strain the state’s water and power supplies and leave an already imperiled fish species at risk of extinction.

Why is caregiving so hard in America? The answers emerge in a new film

A new documentary on PBS shows what it's like to care for adult family members and recounts the history of caregiving policy in the U.S., revealing why those caring for family are often on their own.

European officials hold talks with Iran in Geneva, seeking a diplomatic solution

It marks the most significant known diplomatic talks between Tehran and Western governments since Israel launched a surprise offensive against Iran one week ago.

Ancient Roman masterpieces emerge from a London demolition pit

Thousands of newly discovered fragments, which once adorned a high-status Roman building, offer an unprecedented glimpse into the artistic sophistication and daily life of ancient Londinium.

The story behind the arrest of 87-year-old veteran John Spitzberg at the Capitol

The video of John Spitzberg's arrest has been shared widely across social platforms, becoming a crystalizing moment for those protesting the Trump administration.

More Front Page Coverage