Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most progressive pontiffs in the Catholic Church’s history. One year after his death on April 21, 2025, the pope from South America continues to leave a lasting legacy through his unprecedented actions. He spoke openly about many issues affecting the Church and the wider world, visited countries no pope before him had ever reached, met with controversial figures, and appeared on the covers of magazines such as Time and Rolling Stone.
Throughout his papacy, Francis was celebrated for his commitment to humility, social justice, and outreach to marginalized communities. His death marked the conclusion of a significant era in the Catholic Church.
In this gallery, we remember some of his most important firsts. Click through to get started.