From social justice to tackling abuse: 12 years of Pope Francis

Candles light in front of a portrait of Pope Francis at the Catholic Church of St. Catherine in Saint Petersburg on April 21, 2025. Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church since March 2013, died on Monday aged 88. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)

During his 12 years as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis was a voice for compassion and peace, reformed the Vatican government and took action against clerical child abuse.

Here are some of the main achievements of the Argentine pontiff and the opposition he faced - and what he left undone.