The papacy has been through a lot in its multi-millennial history. Since St. Peter became the first pope shortly after the dawn of the common era, the leader of the Catholic Church has influenced major global events and clashed with kings and scientists alike, all while overseeing the workings of the church and leading a worldwide community of the faithful.
As Pope Francis makes his first visit to the United States, landing in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, here’s a timeline of the pope throughout the ages.
See Photos of Pope Francis' Historic Visit to U.S.
Pope Francis sits on board his Rome-bound plane after his visit to the U.S. in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.
Charles Mostoller—Reuters
A man looks at a television screen showing Pope Francis as he celebrates the Festival of Families Sunday mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.
Carlos Barria—Reuters
A man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.
Matt Slocum—AP
Pope Francis conducts the final mass of his U.S. visit in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.
Mark Makela—Reuters
People without tickets watch on video screens as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.
Jonathan Ernst—Reuters
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the pope mobile during a parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before Mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.
Michael Perez—AP
Crowds wait to go through security checkpoint before entering the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Papal Mass on Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia.
Michael Perez—AP
A family from Trenton, N.J., originally from Ecuador, walk over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge ahead of a Sunday Mass to be delivered by Pope Francis in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.
Julio Cortez—AP
Pope Francis waves to the crowd during a parade in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.
Matt Rourke—AP
Pope Francis takes the stage during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.
Matt Slocum—AP
People pray and watch as Pope Francis celebrates mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.
James Robinson—AP
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 is greeted by seminarians as he arrives at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, on Sept. 26, 2015, in Wynnewood, Pa.
Mel Evans—AP
Nuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.
Carlos Barria—Reuters
Pope Francis kisses and blesses Michael Keating, 10, of Elverson, Pa after arriving in Philadelphia and exiting his car when he saw the boy, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Philadelphia International Airport.
Joseph Gidjunis—World Meeting of Families/AP
Pope Francis reads his homily while celebrating high Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.
Julie Jacobson—AP
A crucifix hangs above member of the clergy who watch as Pope Francis, not shown, celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.
Michael Appleton—AP
Thousands of people watch Pope Francis ride in the popemobile through Central Park on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.
Justin Sullivan—Getty Images
Pope Francis arrives in his car for a visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, on Sept. 25, 2015.
Eric Thayer—AP
Security personnel watch from the back of a vehicle as Pope Francis tours Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015.
Brendan McDermid—Reuters
Pope Francis and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, left, pray at the South Pool of the 9/11 Memorial in downtown Manhattan, on Sept. 25, 2015.
John Minchillo—AP
Pope Francis is seen on a video monitor as he signs the United Nations guest book before addressing the General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015.
Mary Altaffer—AP
Pope Francis makes his way down 5th Avenue in New York City to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Sept. 24, 2015.
Damon Winter—AFP/Getty Images
People in the crowds outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral take pictures in New York City, on Sept. 24, 2015.
Damon Winter—The New York Times/Reuters
A New York City police officer searches nuns outside St. Patrick's Cathedral prior to the arrival of Pope Francis in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.
Damon Winter—AP/The New York Times
Pope Francis reaches out to 5th grader Omodele Ojo of East New York, Brooklyn as he is greeted as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sept. 24, 2015, in New York.
Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis waves to supporters as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.
Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the Speakers Balcony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.
Doug Mills—Getty Images
Pope Francis pauses in front of a sculpture of Spanish-born Junipero Serra, the Franciscan Friar known for starting missions in California, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015
Michael Reynolds—Getty Images
Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.
Evan Vucci—AP
Pope Francis listens to applause before addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015,
Alessandra Tarantino—AP
Pope Francis and Speaker of the House John Boehner speak in the US Capitol building as the Pope arrives to deliver his speech to a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.
Bill Clark—EPA
Pope Francis performs Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis greets and blesses seminarians, novices, religious guests inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Jim Bourg—Reuters
Pope Francis arrives for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Rob Carr—Getty Images
St. Mathews Cathedral is reflected in a nearby building as onlookers wait for Pope Francis to arrive for midday prayer service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Jose Luis Magana—AP
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Alex Brandon—AP
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Alex Brandon—AP
President Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Tony Gentile—AP
President Barack Obama and Pope Francis walk down the Colonnade before meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Andrew Harnik—AP
First Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, and Pope Francis wave during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images
Guests watch as President Barack Obama greets Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis speaks alongside President Barack Obama during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Win McNamee—Getty Images
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama accompany Pope Francis to the stage during a state arrival ceremony, on Sept. 23, 2015, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
Andrew Harnik—AP
People wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis takereceives a kiss, outside the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015 .
Molly Riley—AFP/Getty Images
A man holds up a Papal flag as he waits for Pope Francis departure from the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.
Cliff Owen—AP
Pope Francis waves from a Fiat 500 as his motorcade departs from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.
Andrew Harnik—AP
A crowd of supporters cheer as they attend the arrival of Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.
Kevin Lamarque—Reuters
Pope Francis is greeted by President Barack Obama, the First Family and children after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Md, on Sept. 22, 2015.
Michael Reynolds—EPA
President Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis to the United States as the Pontiff greets dignitaries upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.
Kevin Larmarque—Reuters
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and others, greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.
Andrew Harnik—AP
Pope Francis steps off his plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.
Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.
Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Clergy brace for the wind as they stand along the red carpet on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015, as the plane carrying Pope Francis arrives.
Andrew Harnik—AP
US Air Force honor guard unroll the red carpet before Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md, on Sept. 22, 2015.
Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis arrives to the United States from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.
Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
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