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7 Captivating Photos Of Pope Francis You Haven't Seen Before

A vivid peek inside the pontiff's life.
Antonia Blumberg
By 

Reporter, HuffPost

Since his election to the papacy in March 2013, Pope Francis has become an icon. Photographs of the pontiff in his plain white cassock and zucchetto abound on the Internet, magazine covers and books.

National Geographic photographer Dave Yoder got exclusive access to spend over six months photographing the pope's daily life inside the Vatican. The images accompany a new National Geographic book by Robert Draper, entitled Pope Francis and the New Vatican. Yoder's photos offer a glimpse behind the scenes of Francis's papacy, capturing moments that are both the simple and extraordinary.

Perhaps no amount of photographs will ever satisfy the public's insatiable curiosity about the Catholic leader, who has been called a "reformer" and a "rebel." But these seven, previously unseen images are a treat to behold:

The open-topped Popemobile carries Pope Francis through a delighted crowd during a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
The open-topped Popemobile carries Pope Francis through a delighted crowd during a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
Dave Yoder/National Geographic
A swirl of pilgrims surround Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
A swirl of pilgrims surround Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
Dave Yoder/National Geographic
The Holy Father in his liturgical vestments celebrates Mass o Vatican grounds.
The Holy Father in his liturgical vestments celebrates Mass o Vatican grounds.
Dave Yoder/National Geographic
The power of faith brims over for parishioners in St. Peter’s Square as Pope Francis extends his touch.
The power of faith brims over for parishioners in St. Peter’s Square as Pope Francis extends his touch.
Dave Yoder/National Geographic
On Christmas Day, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, Pope Francis delivers his 2014 “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and to the World”) address and blessing.
On Christmas Day, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, Pope Francis delivers his 2014 “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and to the World”) address and blessing.
Dave Yoder/National Geographic
Pope Francis embraces a member of his flock during a Wednesday morning general audience. Tens of thousands of people, the faithful and the curious, attend these events.
Pope Francis embraces a member of his flock during a Wednesday morning general audience. Tens of thousands of people, the faithful and the curious, attend these events.
Dave Yoder/National Geographic
Pope Francis talks with the prefect of the papal household, Archbishop Georg Gänswein. The pontiff’s blue Ford Focus is visible behind him.
Pope Francis talks with the prefect of the papal household, Archbishop Georg Gänswein. The pontiff’s blue Ford Focus is visible behind him.
Dave Yoder/National Geographic

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