The Legacy of Pope Francis

Pope Francis smiles during the first of his Saturday general audiences for the Holy Year in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican Jan. 11, 2025. (CNS/Vatican Media)

When he was elected in 2013, Pope Francis was celebrated as the first Latin American pope. A simplified papal funeral made a fitting farewell for a pontiff who just three days after his surprise election expressed his desire for "a church that is poor and for the poor." See all of our stories on Pope Francis' funeral here. Find all of our Conclave 2025 coverage here.