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---
title: Pope Francis Marks Two Years Since &#x27;Habemus Papam Franciscum&#x27;
description: On Mar. 13, 2013, the Vatican announced that a new Pope had been chosen
canonical: https://time.com/3730396/pope-francis-two-years/
author: Lily Rothman
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2015-03-13T10:00:48.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-08-19T07:43:30.650Z
article:section: History
og:title: Pope Francis Marks Two Years Since &#x27;Habemus Papam Franciscum&#x27;
og:description: On Mar. 13, 2013, the Vatican announced that a new Pope had been chosen
og:url: https://time.com/3730396/pope-francis-two-years/
og:site_name: TIME
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og:image:width: 600
og:image:height: 338
og:image:alt: Pope TIME Cover
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: Pope Francis Marks Two Years Since &#x27;Habemus Papam Franciscum&#x27;
twitter:description: On Mar. 13, 2013, the Vatican announced that a new Pope had been chosen
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7e2f8d04b86b8a27/698781f155a8596264a86202/1101130325_600.jpg?branch=production&amp;width=600&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7e2f8d04b86b8a27/698781f155a8596264a86202/1101130325_600.jpg?branch=production&width=600&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# How the World Knew What to Expect From Pope Francis

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![Lily Rothman](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd8eb1311b7067f39/698a1248b21a9c0e12504068/Rothman-headshot.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Lily Rothman](https://time.com/author/lily-rothman/)


![Lily Rothman](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd8eb1311b7067f39/698a1248b21a9c0e12504068/Rothman-headshot.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Lily Rothman


Rothman is managing editor at TIME.

Mar 13, 2015 10:00 AM UTC

![Pope TIME Cover](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7e2f8d04b86b8a27/698781f155a8596264a86202/1101130325_600.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

The Mar. 25, 2013, cover of TIME

The Mar. 25, 2013, cover of TIME Cover Credit: STEFANO DAL POZZOLO / CONTRASTO / REDUX

![Lily Rothman](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd8eb1311b7067f39/698a1248b21a9c0e12504068/Rothman-headshot.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Lily Rothman](https://time.com/author/lily-rothman/)


![Lily Rothman](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd8eb1311b7067f39/698a1248b21a9c0e12504068/Rothman-headshot.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Lily Rothman


Rothman is managing editor at TIME.

Mar 13, 2015 10:00 AM UTC

It was exactly two years ago that the Vatican announced that a new Pope had been chosen. The tweet, _Habemus Papam Franciscum,_ has since been deleted — the Vatican wiped previous tweets when Pope Francis’ team began using it — but it wasn’t the only sign that, since day one, this Pope was different.

The man who has spent the last two years [breaking down some stereotypes](http://gawker.com/tag/cool-pope) about his office was already doing so just by being a contender. His Latin American and Jesuit background, his age and his alignment with some of the Church’s more moderate leadership all made him, in some ways, a long-shot for the job. He wasn’t about to uproot Church doctrine, but it was immediately clear that he would follow that doctrine in a new way. As TIME’s Howard Chua-Eoan explained in the magazine’s cover story about the Cardinals’ selection:

---

> “”

---


**_Read the full cover story, here in the TIME archives:_** [New World Pope](http://world.time.com/2013/03/13/pope-of-the-americas/)

### The Most Surprising Photos of Pope Francis

![Pope Francis](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf35d34ddbc3641cb/698865aaab6d7717576a6643/pope-francis14.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

The wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. Tony Gentile—AP

![Pope Francis US visit](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8e0bdd07d78c4bbf/698865f8cf40a8642ec3ff5f/pope-francis-us-visit-statue-liberty.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Pope Francis looks at the Statue of Liberty from the window of a helicopter on his way to the John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York City, on Sept. 26, 2015. L'Osservatore Romano/AP

![Pope Francis US Visit mannequin](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0f8a3baacda0b164/698865eacf40a87e5cc3ff4a/pope-francis-us-visit-mannequin.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A Pope Francis mannequin rides around in a car in Times Square as New York City waits for the arrival of the Pope to the city, on Sept. 24, 2015. Timothy A. Clary—AFP/Getty Images


![Pope Francis US Visit](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt158f4070c09e6020/698865a0a988ca55ac6b48c2/pope-francis-us-visit.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Kaydn Dorsey, 4, and Lionel Perkins, 4, draw on a coloring sheet bearing the image of Pope Francis as they wait for him to arrive on a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. David Goldman—Reuters

![Pope Francis US Visit nuns selfie](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd26c7b3863274986/69886504cd1bba7e636fd4f3/pope-francis-us-visit-nuns-selfie.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Nuns with the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy in Pleasantville, N.J., pose for a selfie with a cutout of Pope Francis, at the World Meeting of Families conference, in Philadelphia, on Sept. 22, 2015. Matt Rourke—AP

![Pope Francis Birthday](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte28df8d6a7406f94/69876f63e53aba01aa4d699f/pope-francis-birthday.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Pope Francis blows out the candles of a birthday cake to celebrate his 78th birthday during a general audience at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014. Osservatore Romano/AFP/Getty Images


![Francis](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte0b0b9dc6239579c/69868bde1eebf7fb8a37086a/surprising_pope22.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Paying the bill at Rome's Domus Internationalis Paulus VI hotel, where Pope Francis stayed as a cardinal before entering the conclave and being elected pope. Osservatore Romano/AP

![Vatican Benedict](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltdaccbe40f0c01dd1/69868bde35ba6f63a6c01a33/surprising_pope21.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Welcoming Pope emeritus Benedict XVI as he returns to the Vatican from the pontifical summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. Osservatore Romano/AP

![POPE: EASTER HOLY MASS](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte5621ff6f28c12ef/69868bdf13c79f7e7f191bc3/surprising_pope13.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Holding a disabled child after celebrating Easter Mass. Alessandro di Meo—ANSA/Zuma Press


![BRASIL-POPE-FRANCIS-MASK](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfb568a9b0e2e8cf0/69868bdf810bbb6bcac912e9/surprising_pope16.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Pope Francis masks in a factory in Brazil, where the Pontiff took his first overseas trip. Christophe Simon—AFP/Getty Images

![Italy - Religion - Pope Francis leads Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc9f8bcba78ea4a0c/69868bdf55a8596126a8072c/surprising_pope31.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Leading the Worldwide Eucharistic adoration at the Vatican. Alessandra Benedetti—Corbis

![Vatican Pope](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt76f4b398df7e5850/69868be01eebf7dec0370873/surprising_pope33.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A gust of wind blows the pope's mantle. Alessandra Tarantino—AP


![Pope Francis attends the opening of the Pastoral Convention of the Diocese of Rome at the Vatican](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt72bde8311f55335b/69868be013c79f055d191bc9/surprising_pope3.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Attending the opening of the Pastoral Convention of the Diocese of Rome. Stefano Rellandini—Reuters

![Pope Francis waves as he leaves Guanabara Palace where he attended a welcoming ceremony in Rio de Janeiro](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3fc4905c7e5c95a1/69868be0e53aba581a4d233f/surprising_pope4.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Leaving a welcoming ceremony at Guanabara Palace in Rio de Janeiro. Ricardo Moraes—Reuters

![Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead the weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5ddf78e915aac82a/69868be1d0b6f269e7303ee0/surprising_pope32.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Greeting the weekly General Audience. Stefano Rellandini—Reuters


![Pope Francis](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt275c57509257facc/69868be1169ab0a0e4278efa/surprising_pope2.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Pointing to the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida from the balcony of the Aparecida basilica in Brazil. Domenico Stinellis—AP

![Catholic faithful with sticker bearing an image of Pope Francis on his forehead looks on while waiting for the Pope to arrive in Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltca34dbb92aaa7855/69868be1e53abaadca4d2347/surprising_pope5.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A Catholic faithful in Brazil bears a sticker of Pope Francis on his forehead. Ueslei Marcelino—Reuters

![Pope Francis is projected on screens at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blta53e3587e746c184/69868be2cd68486c78094456/surprising_pope26.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Images of Pope Francis projected onto screens at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Paulo Whitaker— Reuters


![Pope Francis is pictured inside his plane before departing from Rio de Janeiro at Galeao Air Base](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt319a9d8047875083/69868be235ba6f588bc01a3e/surprising_pope6.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Departing Rio de Janeiro. Ricardo Moraes—Reuters

![Brazil Pope Photo Gallery](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc8c7a71a66d3bcbc/69868be2e53aba0d274d234b/surprising_pope23.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A stray dog walks across the stage near the altar where Pope Francis celebrates the World Youth Day's closing Mass on the Copacabana beachfront. Victor R. Caivano—AP

![Pope Francis in Brazil](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt54e357d2dfa76c62/69868be3adae447570542b1b/surprising_pope35.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Listening to confessions of young people in a park in Rio de Janeiro. L'Osservatore Romano—EPA


![POPE FRANCIS MEETS PIACENZA PILGRIMS](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbb15880c681cc424/69868be355a85940bea80732/surprising_pope11.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Posing with youths in Saint Peter's Basilica. L'Osservatore Romano—EPA

![Vatican, St. Peter's Square - General Audience of Pope Francis](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltba626ad20a25bb8b/69868be4169ab016b0278efe/surprising_pope34.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Greeting the faithful on a rainy day during the General Audience. Fabio Frustaci—Eidon Press/Zuma Press

![Pope Francis wears a firefighter helmet as he arrives to lead his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf05fa120969ac3c0/69868be4e53aba71f04d2350/surprising_pope7.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Arriving to lead his General Audience in a firefighter's helmet. Stefano Rellandini—Reuters


![Pope Francis is silhouetted against window light at the end of a meeting at the Vatican](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt31576617b6de1af9/69868be5f983e753ac04d715/surprising_pope8.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A quiet moment after meeting with Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the Vatican. Max Rossi—Reuters

![Pope Francis photographed in the Vatican, Rome, Italy in November-December, 2013. Pope Francis was chosen as TIME Magazine's 2013 Person of the Year.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc1b8bcd304b45982/69868be5e8524b408a60285e/surprising_pope1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Marking the 110th anniversary UNITALSI, a Catholic organization dedicated to helping the sick. Francesco Zizola—NOOR for TIME

![Vatican Russia](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt691cf0de3d7df12e/69868be6cd804d157dcca703/surprising_pope20.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A private Audience with Russian President Vladimir Putin. L'Osservatore Romano/AP


![APTOPIX Vatican Cold Pope](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5978ac0da337712a/69868be6d0b6f23c30303eed/surprising_pope18.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Keeping warm during a General Audience. Alessandra Tarantino—AP

![Pope Francis' General Audience](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4841477a6c57e323/69868be6cd684824cb09445b/surprising_pope12.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Comforting a disfigured man at the end of his General Audience. Claudio Peri—EPA

![Pope Francis - General Audience - Nov. 20 2013](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blteccddbdb66153872/69868be71eebf7373e37087c/surprising_pope14.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Blessing a sick man with deformed facial features. Evandro Inetti—Zuma Press


![ITALY-VATICAN-POPE-VISIT-EPIPHANY](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt89265b124199371a/69868be7e8524b4aae602866/surprising_pope24.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Visiting the parish of the Sant'Alfonso Maria de Liguori during the Epiphany day. L'Osservatore Romano—AFP/Getty Images

![Pope Francis reacts as he leads a Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcf897f750103ceff/69868be7810bbbc9eac912f3/surprising_pope15.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Reacting to devotees at a weekly General Audience. Alessandro Bianchi—Reuters

![A dove released during an Angelus prayer conducted by Pope Francis, is attacked by a seagull at the Vatican](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfefca3822acf6df0/69868be836176080f690b9cd/surprising_pope9.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A seagull attacks a dove released during a prayer conducted by Pope Francis. Alessandro Bianchi—Reuters


![A scarf thrown by faithful is seen on the face of Pope Francis during the general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7368b01f3cddfd67/69868be8f983e79bf804d71e/surprising_pope10.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A scarf is tossed at Pope Francis by a faithful. Tony Gentile—Reuters

![Italy - Feature - First Pope Francis graffiti murales appears in Rome](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt08d2a5a94ebc5a31/69868be1e8524bbe96602851/surprising_pope28.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Italian artist Mauro Pallotta's superhero rendering of Pope Francis in a street near St. Peter's Basilica. Alessandra Benedetti—Corbis

![TOPSHOTS-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-AUDIENCE](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte8f9672cbd5bb80c/69868be1f983e7d27304d709/surprising_pope27.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Blowing a kiss to pilgrims gathered at Saint Peter's Square. Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images


![Obama - Pope Francis](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt04344f265751e3ab/69868be1e8524b2557602855/surprising_pope25.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in the private library of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. Vatican Pool/Contrasto/Redux

![Italy - H.M Queen Elisabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh meets Pope Francis](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blta4144e72670a057b/69868be6cd804d4151cca6ff/surprising_pope171.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

With Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Vatican. Alessandra Benedetti—Vatican Pool/Corbis

![ITALY-VATICAN-POPE-MAUNDY--THURSDAY](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt22574ee7e47a77df/69868be2cd804d1f36cca6fb/surprising_pope30.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A wind gust lifts Pope Francis's mantle as he arrives at the traditional Washing of the Feet during Holy Thursday. Alberto Pizzoli—AFP/Getty Images


![ITALY-VATICAN-POPE-MAUNDY--THURSDAY](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf921f97b6ce9c447/69868be23bc99961871a3108/surprising_pope29.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Kissing a man's at the traditional Washing of the Feet. Alberto Pizzoli—AFP/Getty Images

![Vatican Pope](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt288275b4ddeb1b65/69868bde35ba6f59e0c01a2f/surprising_pope19.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Visitors take photos of Pope Francis as he speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Michael Sohn—AP

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