The Catholic world is in mourning following the passing of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.
While Pope Francis leaves the physical world as an iconic figure who embodied humility and compassion, few are aware of some of his most iconic and pivotal moments of his 88-year existence on earth.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at some of the late Pope's iconic moments, starting from long before he became the Bishop of Rome.
1. A struggling bouncer
One of Pope Francis' most striking life moments was when he worked as a nightclub bouncer in Buenos Aires, Argentina. While there are no images of the Pope working this job, photos from his younger days paint a picture of a strong and very serious young man.
2. Ordained as a Priest
After earning a technician's diploma, Pope Francis, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969 in what was his first brush with religious leadership. Images from back in the day show him in a humble demeanour, rocking a Jesuit outfit.
Appointed Jesuit Provincial in Argentina (1973–1979)
Pope Francis was subsequently placed in charge of the Jesuits in Argentina at the tender age of 36 at a time when there was political tension in the South American nation.
Riding the Bus as a Bishop in Buenos Aires (1990s)
One of the most iconic photos of Pope Francis was from the 1990s, when he was captured taking a bus as a bishop in Buenos Aires. Reports suggest he preferred taking public transport, despite his prestigious status as a bishop.
Appointed Cardinal by Pope John Paul II (2001)
Pope Francis gained global visibility in 2001 after he was elevated to cardinal, with a memorable photo capturing him during a ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica.
Walking Through Slums in Villa 31 (2000s)
Besides the bus ride in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis also earned plaudits for his outreach to the marginalised.
Elected the 266th Pope — First from Latin America (March 13, 2013)
Arguably the most iconic moment of Bergoglio's life, he was elected the 266th Pope, becoming the first pope from the Americas to lead the church.
Embracing the Disfigured Man (2013)
Another emotional moment of the Pope was one of him kissing a man with severe facial disfigurement, which reinforced his spirit of natural compassion.
Visiting Kangemi During His Africa Tour (2015)
In 2015, during his only visit to Kenya, the Pope met residents of the Kangemi slum, with photos of him walking through the muddy paths earning plaudits worldwide. During his visit, the Pope spoke strongly against inequality in the world.
Kissing the Feet of South Sudanese Leaders (2019)
In another show of humility, images from 2019 showed the pope kneeling and kissing the feet of political leaders in Sudan in a gesture aimed at promoting peace in the region.
This raw moment of vulnerability and leadership cemented his place as a true religious leader.
In a Wheelchair in His Final Years (2022–2025)
Unfortunately, during the Pope's latter years, his health severely declined, with some of his latest images depicting a person who was experiencing physical frailty
Regardless, millions in the world agree that Pope Francis lived a remarkable life full of compassion, courage and leadership.
