Vatican City – The world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church and the first from Latin America. The Vatican announced his death on Monday afternoon (Philippine time), April 21, 2025. He was 88 years old.
At 9:45 AM (Rome time), Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta with these words:
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to serving the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
The cause of death was attributed to complications arising from double pneumonia, which he had been battling for several weeks. Despite receiving the best medical care, his health deteriorated rapidly in the past few days.
News of Pope Francis’s passing has sent shockwaves across the globe, with leaders and faithful expressing their sorrow and reflecting on his impactful papacy.
A Life Dedicated to Service
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the future Pope Francis came from humble beginnings.3 His father was an Italian railway worker, and his mother was a homemaker. He studied to be a chemical technician before feeling the call to the priesthood. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1958 and was ordained a priest in 1969.
Bergoglio served in various roles within the Jesuit order and the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, eventually becoming Archbishop in 1998. He was known for his humility, focus on social justice, and deep concern for the poor and marginalized. He often took public transportation and lived in a simple apartment rather than the Archbishop’s official residence, earning him the moniker “the slum bishop.”
In 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal. He gained further prominence for his pastoral work and straightforward and often courageous interventions on social and political issues in Argentina.
A Transformative Papacy
Cardinal Bergoglio was elected Pope on March 13, 2013, following Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation. He chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of poverty, simplicity, and love for the poor. This choice set the tone for his papacy, which was marked by a focus on mercy, compassion, and reaching out to those on the peripheries of society.
Pope Francis initiated significant reforms within the Vatican bureaucracy and spoke out strongly against corruption and clericalism. He championed dialogue and reconciliation, reaching out to other Christian denominations, other faiths, and those with no religious beliefs. His encyclicals, Laudato Si’ on the environment and Fratelli Tutti on fraternity and social friendship, resonated globally, addressing critical issues facing humanity.
His papacy was also marked by efforts to address the clergy sexual abuse crisis, although this remained a significant challenge. He implemented new procedures and expressed deep remorse for the suffering of victims.
Pope Francis’s warmth, direct communication style, and unwavering commitment to the less fortunate endeared him to millions worldwide, both within and outside the Catholic Church. His legacy as a transformative leader emphasizing mercy, dialogue, and social justice will undoubtedly endure.
The College of Cardinals is now expected to convene in Vatican City to begin electing its successor. The world is eager as the Catholic Church enters this new chapter.
