Pope Francis dies at 88: a look back (40 images)

By UPI Staff

Pope Francis died Monday, in Vatican City at age 88, just hours after delivering an Easter message to a massive crowd in St. Peter’s Square. He served as pope for 12 years, beginning in 2013 after succeeding Pope Benedict XVI. Here's a look back at his life and legacy.

Argentina's Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name Francis, waves from the window of St Peter's Basilica's balcony after being elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. He became the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years. File Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI

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Francis celebrates his inauguration mass at the Vatican on March 19, 2013, in Vatican City. Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI

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Francis waves from his popemobile as he arrives for his inauguration mass at St Peter's Square on March 19, 2013, at the Vatican. Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI

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President Barack Obama is greeted by Francis for a private audience in his private library at the Vatican on March 27, 2014. Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI

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