A papacy in moments: 9 iconic images of Pope Francis

For the past decade, Pope Francis has captivated the world — not just through his simple lifestyle and down-to-earth speech, but also through his powerful use of symbolism, where actions speak as profoundly as words.

Long before his papacy, as a Jesuit provincial in Argentina, he was already known for his ability to convey deep messages through striking imagery. Now, as the leader of the Catholic Church, his symbolic gestures continue to resonate globally, reflecting his vision of the pope as the “servant of the servants of God” and the Church’s mission in the modern world.

As we commemorate more than ten years of Pope Francis' leadership, here’s a look at some of the most defining images of his papacy.

• When Jorge Bergoglio was introduced as Pope Francis, he humbly waved from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the beginning of his papacy as the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on 13 March 2013 at the Vatican. 

• During a visit to Rome’s Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital on 21 December 2013, he embraced sick children, demonstrating his deep commitment to compassion and service.

• While strengthening ties with Asia, he was seen with Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle at St. Peter’s Basilica  on 21 November 2013 during a ceremony to bless the new image of St. Pedro Calungsod. 

• In a touching moment, he met and embraced a disabled man during a gathering with UNITALSI, an organization dedicated to assisting the sick on pilgrimages to Lourdes and other sacred sites, on 9 November 2013.

• Pope Francis waves to an emotional crowd during his departure ceremony at Villamor Airbase in Manila, marking the end of his historic visit to the Philippines. After an intense and spiritually charged week in Asia, where he drew record-breaking crowds and reinforced his unwavering commitment to the poor, he boarded his flight back to Rome, leaving behind a nation deeply moved by his message of mercy, compassion, and solidarity.

• At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, he stood solemnly at the window of the Apostolic Palace on 22 March 2020, looking over an empty St. Peter’s Square, a striking image of faith in isolation.

• In a scene etched in history, he stood alone on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, delivering the Urbi et Orbi blessing to a world gripped by the global pandemic on 27 March 2020.

• As part of his Holy Thursday tradition, he washed and kissed the feet of inmates at Velletri Prison in Rome on 18 April 2019, continuing his mission of serving the marginalized.

• While attending World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro on 28 July 2013, he greeted millions of young Catholics along the shores of Copacabana Beach, reinforcing his call for a vibrant and engaged Church.
  

Through these defining moments, Pope Francis has shaped a papacy that is both deeply symbolic and profoundly human — one that continues to inspire millions around the world.