Pope Francis Dies at 88

Pope Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passed away on April 21, 2025, aged 88, shortly after delivering his final Easter blessing from St. Peter's Basilica. He had been hospitalized for a month with double pneumonia, a condition that had raised questions about his health during the previous few months

A Transformative Papacy

He was elected as the 266th pope in 2013. Francis became the first Jesuit, first Latin American, and first non-European pope in more than a thousand years. Francis' papacy was defined by a focus on humility, social justice, and reform within the Catholic Church. He resided humbly at the Casa Santa Marta instead of the Apostolic Palace and spoke out for the poor and marginalized during his reign

Advocacy for the Marginalized

Pope Francis was a strong supporter of refugees, migrants, and the Indigenous. He condemned the treatment of the Indigenous students in Canadian residential schools as genocide and urged the abolition of the death penalty around the world. His efforts to address global issues of migration, climate change, and economic inequality inspired millions of individuals on the planet.​

Environmental Stewardship

In 2015, Francis released the encyclical Laudato si', addressing environmental degradation and its ethical aspects. He promoted the concept of "integral ecology," connecting harm to nature with economic exploitation and human rights abuses. His appeal for the preservation of the environment was a signature of his papacy.

Interfaith Dialogue and Global Peace

Pope Francis worked tirelessly to promote interfaith dialogue and world peace. He reached out to leaders of other faiths, including Muslims, Jews, and Protestants, to foster understanding and cooperation. His trip to the United Arab Emirates in 2019, where he signed the Document on Human Fraternity with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb, was an interfaith milestone

A Legacy of Reform and Compassion

In spite of resistance from conservative forces in the Church, Pope Francis remained resolute in his drive to renew and reform the Catholic Church. He acknowledged the history of abuse by the Church and took steps to correct them, building a culture of accountability and transparency. His papacy was characterized by a deep compassion and a spirit of reform, and he made a lasting impact on the Catholic Church and its 1.3 billion followers worldwide

Global Tributes

Following his passing, torrents of tributes rained across the world. Global leaders, clergies, and ordinary people alike shed tears over the demise of a servant leader whose entire life was committed to service to others. His legacy is that of profound influence—modeling not only the Catholic Church but also inspiring the world in discourse on justice, peace, and human dignity.

​Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on 21 April 2025, aged 88. He passed away at 7:35 AM CEST in his apartment in Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, following a month-long hospitalization from double pneumonia. The Vatican confirmed his passing two hours after he passed away, bringing an end to a revolutionary papacy which began in 2013

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was characterized by his humility, progressive views, and dedication to social justice. He was the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pope since the 8th century. His papacy was characterized by efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive, addressing issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and LGBTQ+ rights

As is consistent with his inclination towards humility, Pope Francis also previously expressed that he did not wish to have a grand funeral. He preferred to be buried in one ordinary zinc-lined wooden casket as opposed to the three the deceased popes before him were traditionally buried in. He also diverged from custom when he chose to be buried in Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major, ending centuries-old tradition of papas being buried at St. Peter's Basilica

The funeral rites were simplified, in accordance with his vision of the papacy as an apostolate of pastoral responsibility and not one of secular authority. The corpse was put directly into the coffin without the customary exposure on a catafalque, so that the faithful might pay their respects in a manner fitting his ideals

The legacy of Pope Francis is one of profound impact, marked by his efforts to restructure the Church and deal with global challenges. His tenure as pope was marked by compassion, inclusivity, and a focus on the poor, with an enduring legacy left on the Catholic Church and the faithful worldwide.