Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death marks the end of a profound and transformative era in the Roman Catholic Church. As the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, Francis redefined the papacy with a message of compassion, humility, and inclusivity.
A Life Devoted to Service
Born on December 17, 1936, the son of Italian immigrants, Bergoglio was ordained a priest in 1969 and later became Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Known for his modesty—riding public transport and living simply—he rose quietly through the Church’s ranks. His unexpected election in March 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, heralded a new chapter for the Catholic world.
Choosing the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, he signaled a papacy dedicated to the poor, the environment, and peace.
A Papacy of Firsts
From the beginning, Pope Francis broke with tradition. He chose not to live in the ornate Apostolic Palace, opting instead for a modest apartment in the Casa Santa Marta. His tone was pastoral rather than doctrinal, emphasizing mercy over judgment.
Francis became a global moral voice, championing causes like climate action, economic justice, and interfaith dialogue. His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ called for urgent care for the planet, resonating far beyond the Church. He also opened the doors wider to LGBTQ+ individuals, remarried divorcees, and those on the margins—though his stances sometimes sparked internal Church debate.
Final Days and Global Mourning
Even as his health declined in recent years—most recently battling pneumonia—Francis remained active, making a final public appearance on Easter Sunday 2025. He addressed tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square, delivering a hopeful message despite his frailty.
His passing at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta residence prompted an outpouring of grief and gratitude. Leaders from across the globe—including King Charles, President Biden, and numerous faith leaders—praised his legacy of humility and courage.
Legacy and Succession
Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a site he frequented for prayer throughout his papacy. His funeral is set to occur in the coming days, drawing mourners from every corner of the world.
A papal conclave will convene in early May to elect his successor, but Francis’s legacy will endure. He was a reformer who chose compassion over condemnation, dialogue over division. His papacy reminded the world that faith and love must go hand in hand—and that even the highest seat of power can be a place of simplicity and grace.
In His Own Words
“Who am I to judge?” Francis once asked. It was more than a rhetorical question; it was the heart of his mission—a Church less focused on power and more on people. In life and in death, Pope Francis remains a beacon of hope for a Church—and a world—still learning the power of humility.