27 Extremely Rare Pictures Of Pope Francis That Will Completely And Totally Change The Way You Look At Him (2025)

Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Though he held the most powerful position in the Catholic Church for 12 years, there are some pretty fun and fascinating pictures of him that were seen much less often in the press. Here are 27 genuinely interesting photos of the pope you've probably never seen before:

1. This is a young Pope Francis with his family; his mother is in the chair, his father is seated on the arm, and his sisters and brothers are surrounding him.

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2. This blurry photo was taken early in his career, while he was still known by his birth name, Jorge Bergoglio.

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3. Another photo of a younger Pope Francis, after he'd been promoted to Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio.

4. Pope John Paul II officially named Jorge Bergoglio a cardinal in 2001, seen here in his red zucchetto (hat).

5. Looking very studious as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, during a visit to Vatican City.

6. And as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, he took a ride on Line A of the underground in his hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

7. Here, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio attended the special "pro eligendo summo pontifice" — the official conclave — to elect a successor to John Paul II in April 2005. Little did he know then that the next vote in 2013 would be for him!

8. Pope Francis could apparently spin a basketball on the point of a pencil, which he did during the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Italian Catholic Sports Center in 2014.

9. He actually met with Spider-Man (or at least, a person who visited children in pediatric wards in costume).

10. He blew out the candles on his birthday cake in December 2014 in St. Peter's Square.

11. Pope Francis posed for a very serious-looking photo with the members of the Trump family in 2017. I do understand the expression, though.

12. He did seem to have had a bit more fun with former president Obama in 2015. (Me, too, Pope Francis.)

13. He's smiling here with President Zelenskyy, too. Interesting.

14. During the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday in 2019 at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis laid on the floor to pray.

15. On a flight back to Rome in December 2024, Pope Francis excitedly received a cake complete with a tiny pope cake topper.

16. While in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Pope Francis met with the President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa inside a ger set up inside the State Palace.

17. Pope Francis wore his green regalia to represent hope during a General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 2023.

18. He visited Philadelphia during the Festival of Families in 2015 in his popemobile.

19. He gestured dramatically while speaking with cardinals in 2015.

20. During a visit to Maskwacis, Canada, Pope Francis wore a traditional headdress gifted to him by Indigenous leader Wilton Littlechild.

21. His pellegrina (the mini-cape on his jacket, aka cassock) seemed to get caught in the wind a lot.

22. Like, a lot.

23. Like, flying around his head in the wind...a lot.

24. And he seemed to be less than concerned about it.

25. He also sipped from a large chalice during communion at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2013.

26. And this sick "Dark Pope" picture on Good Friday in 2022.

27. And finally, gave this candid, kind smile while riding in the back of a car.

Rest in peace, Pope Francis.

Let the conclave begin.