Pope Francis: Life as head of Catholic Church in pictures

RNZ News

21-04-2025

Pope Francis who has died at the age of 88.
Photo:
AFP
The 12-year papacy of Pope Francis has come to an end
with his death today
. He was the first non-European pope in 1300 years, the first from Latin America and the first Jesuit to hold the post.
Francis made 47 trips outside of Italy, visiting more than 65 states and territories, clocking up more than 465,000km. However, he never returned to his native Argentina, Reuters reports.
Here's a look at some of the pictorial highlights of his time as head of the Catholic Church.
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Pope Francis gives his blessing from a balcony at the Vatican in December 2013.
Photo:
AFP / Osservatore Romano
Pope Francis baptising a child in the Sistine chapel in Rome in January 2014.
Photo:
AFP / Osservatore Romano
Cardinal Kelvin Edward Felix receives his beret as he is appointed cardinal by Pope Francis in Rome in February 2014.
Photo:
AFP
The Pope meets Queen Elizabeth II at the Vatican in April 2014.
Photo:
Pool / AFP
Pope Francis shakes hands with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as Israeli President Shimon Peres looks on, in June 2014.
Photo:
AFP
Pope Francis departed from the Philippines four hours earlier than scheduled, in Januray 2015, due to a tropical storm.
Photo:
AFP
Soane Patita Paini Mafi, bishop of Tonga, is elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Francis during a consistory, on February 14, 2015 at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Photo:
AFP
Pope Francis welcomes a group of Syrian refugees after landing in Rome following a visit at the Moria refugee camp, in 2016.
Photo:
AFP
Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he arrives to lead the Holy Mass at Phoenix Park in Dublin, on 27 August 2018.
Photo:
AFP
Pope Francis, with his back to camera, greets Swedish teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg, during his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 17, 2019.
Photo:
AP
Pope Francis arrives in Iraq, in March 2021. On the right is Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi.
Photo:
AFP
The Pope visits the ancient city of Ur, in Iraq, during his visit to the country.
Photo:
AFP
Joe Biden, US President at the time, meets the Pope, in October 2021, at the sidelines of the G20 summit that was being held in Rome.
Photo:
AFP or licensors
Pope Francis meets members of an indigenous tribe at Edmonton International Airport in Alberta, western Canada in 2022. He was visiting to apologise for the Catholic Church's treatment of indigenous people.
Photo:
AFP / Vatican Media
The visit of Pope Francis to Papua New Guinea between 6-9 July 2024.
Photo:
PNG Government
Pope Francis celebrates the mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces at St. Peter's square in the Vatican on February 9, 2025.
Photo:
AFP / Alberto Pizzoli
Pope Francis during a private meeting with Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla in The Vatican on 9 April.
Photo:
AFP / Vatican Media
Pope Francis during a private meeting with Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla in The Vatican on 9 April, shortly after his release from hospital.