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Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
27 Genuinely Fascinating Photos Of Pope Francis You've Probably Never Seen Before
Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Though he held the most powerful position in the Catholic Church for 12 years, there are some pretty fun and fascinating pictures of him that were seen much less often in the press. Here are 27 genuinely interesting photos of the pope you've probably never seen before: is a young Pope Francis with his family; his mother is in the chair, his father is seated on the arm, and his sisters and brothers are surrounding him. blurry photo was taken early in his career, while he was still known by his birth name, Jorge Bergoglio. photo of a younger Pope Francis, after he'd been promoted to Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio. John Paul II officially named Jorge Bergoglio a cardinal in 2001, seen here in his red zucchetto (hat). very studious as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, during a visit to Vatican City. as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, he took a ride on Line A of the underground in his hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cardinal Jorge Bergolio attended the special "pro eligendo summo pontifice" — the official conclave — to elect a successor to John Paul II in April 2005. Little did he know then that the next vote would be for him! Francis could apparently spin a basketball on the point of a pencil, which he did during the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Italian Catholic Sports Center in 2014. ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images, Giulio Origlia / Getty Images actually met with Spider-Man (or at least, a person who visited children in pediatric wards in costume). blew out the candles on his birthday cake in December 2014 in St. Peter's Square. Francis posed for a very serious-looking photo with the members of the Trump family in 2017. I do understand the expression, though. did seem to have had a bit more fun with President Obama in 2015. (Me too, Pope Francis.) smiling here with President Zelenskyy, too. Interesting. the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday in 2019 at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis laid on the floor to pray. a flight back to Rome in December 2024, Pope Francis excitedly received a cake complete with a tiny Pope cake topper. in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Pope Francis met with the President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa inside a ger set up inside the State Palace. Francis wore his green regalia to represent hope during a General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 2023. visited Philadelphia during the Festival of Families in 2015 in his popemobile. gestured dramatically while speaking with Cardinals in 2015. a visit to Maskwacis, Canada, Pope Francis wore a traditional headdress gifted to him by Indigenous leader Wilton Littlechild. pellegrina (the mini-cape on his jacket, aka cassock) seemed to get caught in the wind a lot. a lot. flying around his head in the wind... a lot. he seemed to be less than concerned about it. also sipped from a large chalice during communion at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2013. this sick "Dark Pope" picture on Good Friday in 2022. finally, gave this candid, kind smile while riding in the back of a car. Rest in peace, Pope Francis. Let the conclave begin.
Buzz Feed
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
27 Genuinely Fascinating Photos Of Pope Francis You've Probably Never Seen Before
Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Though he held the most powerful position in the Catholic Church for 12 years, there are some pretty fun and fascinating pictures of him that were seen much less often in the press. Here are 27 genuinely interesting photos of the pope you've probably never seen before: 1. This is a young Pope Francis with his family; his mother is in the chair, his father is seated on the arm, and his sisters and brothers are surrounding him. 2. This blurry photo was taken early in his career, while he was still known by his birth name, Jorge Bergoglio. 3. Another photo of a younger Pope Francis, after he'd been promoted to Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio. 4. Pope John Paul II officially named Jorge Bergoglio a cardinal in 2001, seen here in his red zucchetto (hat). 5. Looking very studious as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, during a visit to Vatican City. 6. And as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, he took a ride on Line A of the underground in his hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. 7. Here, Cardinal Jorge Bergolio attended the special "pro eligendo summo pontifice" — the official conclave — to elect a successor to John Paul II in April 2005. Little did he know then that the next vote would be for him! 8. Pope Francis could apparently spin a basketball on the point of a pencil, which he did during the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Italian Catholic Sports Center in 2014. 9. He actually met with Spider-Man (or at least, a person who visited children in pediatric wards in costume). 10. He blew out the candles on his birthday cake in December 2014 in St. Peter's Square. 11. Pope Francis posed for a very serious-looking photo with the members of the Trump family in 2017. I do understand the expression, though. 12. He did seem to have had a bit more fun with President Obama in 2015. (Me too, Pope Francis.) 13. He's smiling here with President Zelenskyy, too. Interesting. 14. During the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday in 2019 at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis laid on the floor to pray. 15. On a flight back to Rome in December 2024, Pope Francis excitedly received a cake complete with a tiny Pope cake topper. 16. While in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Pope Francis met with the President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa inside a ger set up inside the State Palace. 17. Pope Francis wore his green regalia to represent hope during a General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 2023. 18. He visited Philadelphia during the Festival of Families in 2015 in his popemobile. 19. He gestured dramatically while speaking with Cardinals in 2015. 20. During a visit to Maskwacis, Canada, Pope Francis wore a traditional headdress gifted to him by Indigenous leader Wilton Littlechild. 21. His pellegrina (the mini-cape on his jacket, aka cassock) seemed to get caught in the wind a lot. 22. Like, a lot. 23. Like, flying around his head in the wind... a lot. 24. And he seemed to be less than concerned about it. 25. He also sipped from a large chalice during communion at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2013. 26. And this sick "Dark Pope" picture on Good Friday in 2022. 27. And finally, gave this candid, kind smile while riding in the back of a car.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Remembering the connection the Pope had to NEPA
Apr. 21—WILKES-BARRE — In 2015, with the eyes of the world on the United States for the historic visit of Pope Francis, Wyoming Valley native Bob Ciaruffoli was at the center of it all. Ciaruffoli, who grew up in Swoyersville, attended Central Catholic High School and graduated from King's College, was serving as president/chairman of World Meeting of Families — the organization that convenes every three years, culminating with a visit of the Holy Father. Ciaruffoli, who now resides in the Philadelphia area, took time on Monday to recall his friendship with Pope Francis and to offer comments on the pontiff's passing. "He's going to be missed," Ciaruffoli said. "He was truly the people's Pope. Yes, he met with dignitaries, religious leaders, world leaders and business leaders, but his real passion was meeting with common people. Pope Francis sincerely cared about the people who were often forgotten and under-served." Ciaruffoli said in 2015, he and his team at World Meeting of Families had planned for the pope's visit since 2012. They planned out all events, including Pope Francis' itinerary. There were an estimated 1,800 people at a Mass at the Cathedral of Ss. Peter & Paul and more than 50,000 people attended the Pope's address at Independence Hall. Pope Francis spoke at Independence Hall before celebrating at the Festival of Families — a massive free party held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where the Pope also said a Mass for an estimated 1 million people. Ciaruffoli said he recalls that Pope Francis was beloved wherever he went, making sure to always spend time with the people. Ciaruffoli said Pope Francis visited the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility to meet with 100 prisoners and their families. He also talked to corrections officers and their families. "It was very personal for him to meet with the prisoners and their families and he spent a lot of time with them," Ciaruffoli recalled. "He was so engaging — you could see the passion in his face and hear it in his words." Ciaruffoli said Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was the first non-European pope in over a millennium. Born in Argentina, Pope Francis was the first Latin American and first from the Americas to hold the papacy. He was elected in 2013 and served until his death in 2025. "He came from an area where economic conditions shaped who he was," Ciaruffoli said. "He shied away from the wealthy. He was always about the commoners. You have to respect him for that." The 2015 experience has never left Ciaruffoli "Not since September 2015 has a day gone by that I don't have a flashback to the events of that visit," Ciaruffoli said. "I guess you can say it's been the gift that keeps on giving. I am very sorry to hear that he has passed." Ciaruffoli said the World Meeting of Families Conference, the world's largest gathering of Catholic families, featured 100 speakers, panel discussions, workshops and more at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Then the citywide Francis Festival took place over the weekend. Ciaruffoli said working on the papal visit was exhausting, but he said he felt honored to have had the opportunity to play such a major role in the visit. Ciaruffoli said he had met the the pope on several occasions prior to the U.S. visit. "It all was very inspiring for me," he said. "Spending so much time on the papal visit and having been able to spend time with Pope Francis was clearly an opportunity of a lifetime." Now retired, Ciaruffoli also is a co-founder of Broad Street Angels, a 100 member Philadelphia based angel investor network which invests in early-stage entrepreneurial businesses with high growth potential. He also serves as an advisor to entrepreneurs and their firms. Local ties Ciaruffoli's connections to the Wyoming Valley are deep. He grew up in Swoyersville on Owens Street and the family moved to Forty Fort when he was 15. After college, he joined the Marine Corps. Ciaruffoli moved back to the area and joined Parente Randolph LLC accounting firm in Wilkes-Barre. He stayed here until moving to Philadelphia in 2004, where he became CEO at Baker Tilly. Ciaruffoli is the oldest of 10 children. Married to the former Kathy Ramage of Pittston, he and his wife have one son. "Growing up in Northeastern Pennsylvania I learned to respect just about everything — certainly all people," he said in 2015. "And I learned the importance of having a great work ethic." In the 2015 story in the Times Leader, he said it's no coincidence that he got involved in the World Meeting of Families, having come from a large family. He said the Catholic Church had a big influence on him and family has always meant a lot to him. Pope's style Ciaruffoli said people generally never knew what Pope Francis would say. "I mean that in the most positive way," Ciaruffoli said. Ciaruffoli said Pope Francis was an inspiring man, calling him refreshing and a man who was not afraid to shake things up and make changes in in areas that he felt aren't going well. "He modernized how the church does business," Ciaruffoli said in 2015. "In 15 months, he and his people modernized the Vatican Bank. He is not afraid to look around and challenge what is going on. He is always willing to do what needs to be done." Ciaruffoli said the Pope's visit to Philadelphia was estimated to generate some $418 million in regional economic impact, according to a study commissioned by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitor's Bureau. All 11,300-plus rooms in Philadelphia were expected to sell out and thousands of other visitors traveled daily from hotels in several states. Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia marked the second time the city has hosted a sitting pope. In October 1979, one million onlookers greeted Pope John Paul II for a Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway during his first papal visit to the United States. Remembering papal visit to Cuba Pope Francis inspired people worldwide — largely due to his constant effort to treat each other as we would want to be treated. Pope Francis seemed to have a calming effect on people. Before Pope Francis arrived in the U.S. in 2015, he stopped in Cuba. He visited with Raul Castro, who had assumed leadership of the island country when his brother, Fidel, become too ill to continue. Some criticized the pope for walking and talking with the Castros. Many thought that the papal visit to Cuba would accelerate positive reform there — that the people would have the freedom to worship as they please. Juan and Elena DeRojas of Mountain Top, both now deceased, knew what it was like to live in a country where decisions are made for you — decisions like where and how to worship. Juan and Elena were raised in the Catholic church in Cuba. They were a young couple with five children and wanted the very best for their kids. And they wanted their children to be raised in the Catholic church. But in the late 1950s and early 1960s, it became clear to them that Cuba was changing. Fidel Castro was in charge and he brought Communism to the country. Juan was a young physician. He knew he had to leave his home country. He wanted to come to America so he and his family could live free, he said in 2015. It was an emotional time for Juan and Elena. They knew they now had new opportunities in America. Back in Cuba, the Castro government was taking control of everything — schools, media, everything, the couple said. Juan said he attended the same school as Fidel Castro, who is a year younger than he was. Everything Christian was being removed from schools, Juan recalled in 2015. It was emotional for Juan and Elena and their children to see Pope Francis visiting Cuba. Juan, who has read Pope Francis' books, has followed the pontiff closely. He saw the reaction of the Cuban people to Pope Francis. He saw their smiles and the look of hope on their faces. He shared that hope, for his fellow countrymen and for a better future. He hoped to see a return of Christian values to Cuba and he felt Pope Francis, simply by visiting, helped move that along. Juan and Elena saw Pope Francis opening his arms to everyone and opening doors that had been closed for years. They saw him drawing attention to world problems, like helping the poor, feeding the hungry, accepting those who are different. Juan was proud of Pope Francis, a native of Argentina. He liked that he was trying to change old ideas and practices. He was confident change would come. On his way to the U.S., Juan said he prayed a lot. He said his faith guided him. That faith kept Juan and Elena together for 65 years. They received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary. America opened its arms to Juan and Elena and their children. They have never forgotten that. That's why they smiled when they saw Pope Francis opening his arms to the world. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Irish Examiner
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Headlines on papal visits to Ireland show how country has changed
Almost 40 years separated the visits of Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis to Ireland, and the contrasts between the tone of the two events are thrown into sharp focus even just from a glance at the headlines covering each event at the time. If the theme of the first papal visit was a celebration, then the tone for the second visit was more akin to seeking forgiveness. In the Cork Examiner on October 1, 1979, an image of the pontiff was accompanied by the headline: 'Young Ireland hails Pope for all ages'. Inside the newspaper, further headlines declared things such as 'Pope shares nation's tears of happiness' and 'Going to Mass will never be the same again'. One newspaper headline even said: ''A jolly good fellow,' sing the media' On August 27, 2018, the Irish Examiner let the image speak for itself on the front page while, inside, the very different mood to the visit of Pope Francis was reflected. 'Public act of contrition helps to clear the air for a festival of the faithful,' was the headline across pages two and three. Other headlines said how 'Francis asks forgiveness for abuse and cover-up', while we also heard how 'thousands of dissenting voices speak out against visit'. The legacy of church abuse cast a long shadow over Pope Francis's visit, during which he addressed a litany of crimes by its institutions and members. Popemobile in city centre The pontiff visited Ireland for two days in August 2018, which included a visit to Knock shrine in Co Mayo, a meeting with victims of clerical abuse, and a visit to a homeless centre run by the Capuchin Fathers. It also included a dash through Dublin City centre, where thousands of onlookers caught just a glimpse of the Popemobile as it sped past, as well as the Festival of Families in Croke Park — which featured performances from Andrea Bocelli and Daniel O'Donnell. The visit culminated in an open-air Sunday Mass in Dublin's Phoenix Park, where pilgrims's attendance was a fraction of the million people who greeted Pope John Paul II at the same spot in 1979. It nevertheless still had plenty of eyes on it, as RTÉ reported an audience of 1.1m viewers tuning in for at least a portion of the broadcast. During the Phoenix Park Mass, he asked for 'forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland' and for 'pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions'. The visit prompted several demonstrations, including at a mass grave of infants at a former home for unmarried mothers in Co Galway, and at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin. Colm O'Gorman, a survivor of clerical abuse and the former head of Amnesty International Ireland, organised the rally at the Garden of Remembrance to coincide with the Phoenix Park Mass. Mr O'Gorman said it was an 'extraordinary' show of 'powerful solidarity and purpose'. He said that it was initially dismissed that Pope Francis would address a series of abuse and mistreatment scandals by the Catholic Church, which he said would have been 'completely unacceptable'. What popes generally do — and that includes, sadly, Pope Francis — is they speak of their regret and sadness, or sorrow at the hurt caused to so many people 'That's not an apology. It's an expression of sorrow,' he added. However, Mr O'Gorman said he has 'enormous regard' for the late pontiff's empathy towards refugees and migrants. He added that Pope Francis's stance on women's rights and LGBT+ issues had been 'open and non-judgmental'. A more liberal approach to social issues emphasised why his response to clerical abuse in Ireland was 'such a disappointment', Mr O'Gorman added.
