FILE: Francis marks 12 years as pope during prolonged hospitalisation

Record ID: 1983541

  • Title: FILE: Francis marks 12 years as pope during prolonged hospitalisation
  • Date: 12th March 2025
  • Summary: People continued to pray for Pope Francis' recovery outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital keeping the flame of hope alive and burning. ROME, ITALY (MARCH 4, 2025) (REUTERS) PERSON LEAVING A GET WELL NOTE AT THE FOOT OF THE STATUE OF LATE POPE JOHN PAUL II TRIBUTES AT THE FOOT OF STATUE ROME, ITALY (MARCH 6, 2025) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) PEOPLE PRAYING BY STATUE OF LATE POPE JOHN
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Jorge Bergoglio Pope Pope Francis anniversary conclave hospital last appearance papacy
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: Vatican City
  • Topics: Europe,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA006616304032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: VIDEO QUALITY AS INCOMING IN SHOTS 10-12
    As Pope Francis marks the 12th anniversary of his election as head of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday (March 13), the world recalls his historic ascent as the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years.
    Succeeding Benedict XVI, who had become the first pope in six centuries to resign, Francis was elected on March 13, 2013. The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina quickly became known for his humility during his first appearances and blessings to the masses from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
    He also has often opted for simpler cars and to leave his bulletproof popemobile behind, preferring to ride out in open-air or less armored vehicles to greet the crowds.
    Pope Francis has visited over 60 states during his papacy, including landmark trips to the Philippines, Cuba, and Iraq, engaging with massive crowds and conflict zones alike. He’s met with heads of state like Fidel Castro, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, navigating diplomacy amid global tensions.
    The pontiff has canonized over 900 saints, among them John XXIII, John Paul II, Paul VI, Mother Teresa, and Oscar Romero, shaping the Church’s modern legacy while battling health challenges, including his current hospitalization for double pneumonia.
    Pope Francis is no longer in immediate danger of death and is responding well to treatment, the Vatican said on Monday (March 10), in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff is to complete a month in Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday (March 14).
    Francis has not been seen in public since he was admitted on February 14, the longest such absence of his papacy.
    (Production: Ivan Romero)
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