A pope of firsts, Francis was an outspoken champion of the deprived – but left some feeling betrayed
Pope Francis showed a willingness to welcome those who'd felt shunned by the Catholic faith. But he faced huge criticisms from conservatives within the church, as well as those who questioned his liberal credentials.
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Jorge Mario Bergoglio as a boy. Undated pic: Rex/Argenpress/Shutterstock
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The then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on the subway in Buenos Aires in 2008. Pic: AP
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The then priest in 1973. Pic: Rex/Argenpress/Shutterstock
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Argentina's then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio gives a mass outside San Cayetano church in Buenos Aires in 2009. Pic: AP
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Pope Francis kisses a baby as he arrives for a weekly general audience at the Vatican in October 2019. Pic: Reuters
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Pope Francis addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington in 2015, the first pontiff to do so. Pic: AP
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President Obama and Pope Francis. Pic: AP
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Pope Francis with Donald Trump at the Vatican in May 2017. Pic: Reuters
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Francis with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in October 2024. Pic: Vatican Âvia Reuters
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Pope Francis with the King (then Prince Charles) in 2019. Pic: Vatican via Reuters
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Pope Francis with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
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Pope Francis presiding over the funeral of his predecessor
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Pope Francis visiting Phoenix Park in Dublin in 2018. Pic: AP
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Pope Francis met Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 2014. Pic: AP
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On 21 February 2001, Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II with the title of cardinal priest of San Roberto Bellarmino
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