On the occasion of the 12th anniversary of his election to the papacy, Pope Francis received hundreds of drawings, messages, and letters from children and well-wishers worldwide.

As he enters his 13th year as pope, Francis stands tall as the moral authority in today’s world, a voice pleading for humanity, peace and respect for the dignity of all people.

March 13 (UPI) -- Pope Francis marked the 12th year of his pontificate Thursday while still recovering from lung infection. The anniversary is a public holiday at the Vatican but no events were planned to celebrate the occasion. Francis' condition was described as "stationary" Wednesday as the Vatican said he had been improving.