Memory of Pope Francis: One term in pictures

Millions of television viewers remember the evening of March 13, 2013: Shortly after the livestreams transferred the white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine chapel all over the world, the Argentine Jorio Mario Bergoglio stepped onto the Balcony of St. Peter’s Square.

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He greeted the crowd with a « Buona Sera » – the beginning of Francis’ pontificate, which ended with his death on Easter Monday 2025. In these twelve years, the 88 -year -old moved a lot in the church, gave society with his speeches and writings – and traveled half the world. In a picture gallery, the « Luxembourg Word » is reminiscent of important stations in Pope Francis’s pontificate.

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After the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. the cardinals gather on March 12, 2013 for the conclave. Photo: AFP
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With the words « Buona Sera », the newly elected Pope greeted the believers on St. Peter’s Square. Photo: Getty Images
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A historical moment: on March 23, 2013, Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict XVI meet. in Castel Gandolfo. Photo: archive
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His first trip leads to people on the sidelines of society: Pope Francis denounced indifference to the fate of migrants in July 2013 on the island of Lampedusa. Photo: AFP
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A pope to touch: Francis takes a pizza with his portrait. Photo: AFP
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A lot of attention was paid to the United States in autumn 2015, where Francis was received by US President Barack Obama. Photo: AFP
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As part of the U.S. trip, Francis also spoke at the start of the United Nations sustainability summit in New York. In his speech, he mainly denounced the environmental degradation and warned quickly. Photo: AFP
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Close connection to Francis: In March 2016, the Grand Ducal Family traveled to an audience in the Vatican. Photo: AFP
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Still dynamic: Pope Francis 2018, after five years in office. Photo: AFP
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After the Easter mass in 2019, Pope Francis speaks the blessing « Urbi et Orbi » for the city and the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basic. Photo: AFP
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In April 2019, Pope Francis will meet Climate activists Greta Thunberg on St. Peter’s Square. Photo: AFP
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In October 2019, Pope Francis raised the Luxembourg Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich to the cardinal. Photo: AFP
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Cardinal Hollerich has become an important confidante of Pope Francis in recent years. Photo: archive
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A gesture of encouragement at the climax of the first Corona wave: On March 27, 2020, Francis granted the blessing Urbi et Orbi on the deserted St. Peter’s Square. Photo: AFP
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Pope Francis at the blessing Urbi et orbi on March 27, 2020 alone on St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Photo: AFP/Handout
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Christmas 2020: Pope Francis grants the blessing Urbi et orbi by livestream and with a facial mask. Photo: AFP
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Gesture of humility: Francis washes the feet of prisoners on Maundy Thursday. Photo: AFP
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In the past two years, the foot washing due to Corona had failed. Photo: AFP
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Travel has been part of the Pope’s office since John Paul II. In Budapest, Pope Francis was enthusiastically received by the crowd in 2021. Photo: AFP
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During his visit to Maskwaci’s Canadian, Pope Francis in 2022 asks for the treatment of children of the first nations in Canada’s boarding school system. Photo: AFP
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The presentation of the headdress makes the Pope, who had previously formulated his apology with a serious expression, smile. Photo: AFP
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In February 2023 it leads the Pope to South Sudan. Photo: AFP
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For the first time in 2022, Pope Francis was dependent on a wheelchair due to knee problems. Photo: AFP
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At the general audience on March 8, 2023, Francis Janada Marcus, a young Nigerian victim of the Islamist group Boko Haram blessed. Photo: AFP
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The Pope’s visit in September 2024 has entered the history of Luxembourg. Photo: Gerry Huberty
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One of the last photos: Pope Francis at the Easter blessing on April 20, 2025. Photo: AFP