Photo gallery: Pope Francis through the years

Pope Francis presides over a Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, on June 14, 2020 at St. Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, as the city-state eases its lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the covid-19 infection.

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 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus.

Pope Francis hugs 8-year-old Dominic Gondreau, who has cerebral palsy, after celebrating his first Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Sunday, March 31, 2013.

Pope Francis holds the pastoral staff as he leaves after celebrating a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, to mark Epiphany, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014.

Pope Francis walks out from Assumption Cathedral as Thai youth reach out to touch him in Bangkok, Thailand on November 22, 2019.

This undated handout reproduction photo made available by Maria Elena Bergoglio, shows Jorge Mario Bergoglio, left, and his brother Oscar, posing for a photo in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

This undated file photo made available by Maria Helena Bergoglio shows Jorge Mario Bergoglio as a teenager in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In this 1966 photo released by the El Salvador School, Argentine seminarian Jorge Mario Bergoglio smiles for a portrait at the El Salvador school where he taught literature and psychology, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Pope Francis prays at Israel’s separation barrier on his way to a mass in Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Sunday, May 25, 2014.

Pope Francis is presented with a cake by Valentina Alazraki, correspondent for TeleVisa Univision, to celebrate his upcoming Dec. 17, 88th birthday, on the flight back to Rome at the end of his one-day visit to Ajaccio in the French island of Corsica, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.

Pilgrims gather holding their country’s flags as Pope Francis delivers his Angelus prayer and blessing to the thousands gathered in St Peterճ Square on March 17, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.The Vatican is preparing for the inauguration of Pope Francis on March 19, 2013 in St Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass, at St Peter’s square in the Vatican on April 20, 2025.

A seagull flies in front of Pope Francis as he speaks to the faithful gathered under pouring rain in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican for the traditional Sunday’s noon blessing after the Angelus prayer, Sunday, June 2, 2024.

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus prayer and blessing to the pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square on March 17, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.

Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peter’s Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and to the world) blessing at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis gestures as he attends an annual gathering of pro-family organisations at the Auditorium della Conciliazione, in Rome, Friday, May 10, 2024.

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus prayer and blessing to the pilgrims gathered in St Peterճ Square on March 17, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.The Vatican is preparing for the inauguration of Pope Francis on March 19, 2013 in St Peter’s Square.