Pope Francis, the world’s most internet-friendly pontiff, has died at the age of 88. The Vatican announced that the beloved Argentine passed away early on Monday, following a stroke and heart failure. It happened just a day after Easter Sunday, and just hours after he delivered what would be his final message to the world, calling for peace in Gaza.

His funeral is set for Saturday at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, with dignitaries from across the globe expected to attend. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Francis made history as the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European in over a millennium to lead the Catholic Church. From day one, he made it clear: this was not going to be business as usual.

And it wasn’t. Whether it was riding the bus instead of a limo, calling war zones from his hospital bed, or opening the door to LGBTQ acceptance from the Catholic church — he had a habit of making headlines and winning hearts.

Here’s a look at seven moments Pope Francis broke the internet (and probably a few theological comfort zones).

1. That time he casually became the Shepherd-in-Chief —with a real lamb

Move over influencers with your pets — Pope Francis wore a baby lamb around his neck and didn’t even post about it. 

In 2014, Pope Francis visited a live nativity scene in Rome and somehow ended up with a real baby lamb draped around his shoulders. Not staged. Not filtered. Just the Pope, smiling serenely while the lamb chilled like it belonged there. It was cute, yes, but also deeply symbolic, referencing the parable of the lost sheep in the Bible, where the shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one that has gone astray (Luke 15:4-7).

The image echoed his Epiphany sermon that year, which called for the Church to reach out to estranged or disillusioned Catholics. But let’s be honest, it was also just a fantastic photo op that made people go “Aww” around the world. Sheepishly charming, if you will​…

2. The “all dogs go to heaven” saga

Animal lovers, brace yourselves. In 2014, Francis made comments during a Vatican audience that were interpreted as, “Yes, your dog is in heaven.” Cue: global tail-wagging. While the Vatican later clarified that the comment was taken out of context (he was actually speaking about the redemption of all creation) the damage was done (or the hope was done, depending on your view). The Humane Society and PETA were thrilled, and social media exploded with tributes to lost pets in paradise.

Though it wasn’t technically a change in doctrine, it did reflect Francis’s broader message: creation matters, and animals are part of God’s design. And in true Francis fashion, even a misunderstood comment triggered global debate.

Good boy, indeed.

3. “Who am I to judge?” — a mic drop for the ages

On a flight in 2013, Pope Francis casually responded to a journalist’s question about gay priests with the now-iconic phrase: “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” And just like that, a seismic shift in the Catholic Church’s tone toward LGBTQ+ people began.

He didn’t rewrite Church doctrine, but he changed the conversation. Over the years, he went further; urging families not to reject LGBTQ+ children, endorsing same-sex civil unions, and even allowing priests to bless same-sex couples (as long as it wasn’t mistaken for a marriage ceremony). He met with gay and trans Catholics, told survivors of abuse who happen to be gay “God made you like this,” and even allowed trans people to be baptised and become godparents.

Sure, it wasn’t perfect (he also made some cringeworthy comments about “gender ideology” and didn’t change official teachings) but compared to his predecessors, Francis was a revolution of kindness​.

4. He phoned Gaza. Every. Single. Day.

While most world leaders offered vague “thoughts and prayers” during the Israel-Gaza war, Pope Francis was literally calling the only Catholic church in Gaza every day. That’s right — Father Gabriel Romanelli of the Holy Family Church confirmed the pope rang daily to check in on his congregation, pray with them, and offer comfort. His final call came just two days before his death.

In his last public speech, he spoke passionately about the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis, calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian relief. Amidst the war, Francis offered himself as a spiritual hotline to Gaza. 

5. He washed and kissed the feet of refugees

Every year on Holy Thursday, popes re-enact Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Francis took it up a notch. In 2016, he washed the feet of refugees, including Muslims, Hindus, and Coptic Christians, at a migrant shelter in Rome. Some of them cried. Francis, clad in white, knelt and kissed their feet, saying it was a gesture of peace and brotherhood.

This came just 2 days after the terrorist attack in Brussels, when anti-immigrant sentiment was on the rise. While some leaders were calling for closed borders, Francis was bending down before the most marginalised. As he put it: “Gestures speak louder than words.” 

6. That time he invited comedians to the Vatican — and told them to laugh at God

In 2024, Pope Francis hosted over 100 comedians at the Vatican, including Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, and Stephen Colbert. He told them: “You can even laugh at God.” And then (in peak grandpa energy) made a goofy face to prove he was serious.

He praised their ability to unite people across divides and confessed he’d been praying for a good sense of humour for 40 years. The whole thing was wonderfully weird and wholesome. Also: the Vatican finally got itself a killer line-up for Comedy Central’s next roast. 

7. The JD Vance meeting that sparked conspiracy memes

Just a day before his death, Francis had a brief encounter with US Vice President JD Vance — a Catholic convert aligned with Donald Trump’s anti-immigration stance. The internet had a field day. Some joked the visit “drained the Pope’s will to live.” Others noted he survived double pneumonia, only to be undone by… Vance.

In all seriousness, their meeting was a diplomatic one. But it came at a tense time, with Francis recently criticising Trump-era immigration policies. Vance offered Easter well-wishes, and the Pope responded graciously. Still, the memes practically wrote themselves.

Pope Francis wasn’t perfect, and he didn’t change every rule in the book. But what made him remarkable was his posture: open, kind, humble and occasionally hilarious.

Rest easy, Pope Francis. You taught us that it’s okay to laugh, okay to love, and okay to carry your own bag onto a plane. You broke the internet — and maybe broke some barriers too.

Emma@explain.co.za |  + posts

Emma is a freshly graduated Journalist from Stellenbosch University, who also holds an Honours in history. She joined the explain team, eager to provide thorough and truthful information and connect with her generation.