FRANCIS: POPE OF THE PERIPHERIES

Current Exhibit

Second Floor Atrium

“How I would like a church that is poor and for the poor," said Pope Francis days after his election in 2013. The Argentinian pontiff, like his namesake St. Francis of Assisi, worked to make the Catholic Church more humble and to further embrace the poor, the suffering, and the marginalized.

From encountering slum residents in Brazil on his first international trip to meeting more than half of the wealthy country of Azerbaijan’s 600 Catholics, the pope brought Jesus’ love to all corners of the world.

His vision of a humble church led to groundbreaking encounters with world and other religious leaders. From meeting with Russian Patriarch Kirill to embracing Muslim Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, the pope sought to foster peace and connection among people and faiths.

In remembrance of Pope Francis, who passed on April 21, 2025, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center is honored to present this exhibit illustrating the pope’s outreach to the peripheries during his 47 international trips.

Most of the images are by Paul Haring, Knights of Columbus manager of photography, who was a staff photographer with Catholic News Service (CNS) and traveled with the pope on 39 of his international trips. CNS staff photographer Lola Gomez also contributed.

Special thanks to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), OSV News/Our Sunday Visitor, and the Knights of Columbus.

PLAN A VISIT

Francis: Pope of the Peripheries

Color photo of a museum gallery with photographs and items related to Pope Francis’ international trips on exhibit.

Color photo of a museum gallery with photographs on exhibit.