Pope Francis passed away at 88, leaving behind a legacy of humility, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the marginalized. The Vatican confirmed his death on Monday morning.

Pope Francis Dies at 88: World Mourns a Shepherd of Mercy and Justice

April 21, 2025 – Vatican City

Pope Francis Dies at 88: A Humble Shepherd’s Final Journey

In a moment of global mourning and deep spiritual reflection, Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his death at 7:35 AM local time on Monday, following complications related to pneumonia after a prolonged hospital stay.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, made the solemn announcement:

“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 God, One and Tribune.”

A Pope of the People

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years when he ascended to the papacy on March 13, 2013. From the outset, he redefined what it meant to be a spiritual leader in the 21st century—eschewing luxury, embracing humility, and relentlessly advocating for the world’s forgotten and downtrodden.

The Final Days

On February 14, 2025, Pope Francis was admitted to Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital after battling bronchitis. What began as a routine health concern slowly escalated, with doctors later confirming bilateral pneumonia on February 18. Despite a temporary discharge and ongoing care at his beloved Casa Santa Marta, his condition deteriorated over the following weeks.

His final hours were spent in prayer and silence, attended by his personal physician, spiritual advisors, and a small circle of close aides. The Vatican reported that he received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, known traditionally as “last rites.”

A Legacy Rooted in Mercy

To speak of Francis is to speak of mercy. His entire papacy was defined by compassion—toward the poor, the imprisoned, the refugee, the sick, and the marginalized. He emphasized mercy as the heart of the Gospel, even declaring an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015.

“Who am I to judge?” — a phrase uttered in 2013 in reference to gay Catholics — became a global symbol of his inclusive tone and revolutionary openness.

Breaking Down Barriers

Francis was never interested in maintaining the status quo. He worked tirelessly to reform Vatican bureaucracy, promote interfaith dialogue, and decentralize the Church’s power structures. His messages often resonated beyond the Catholic faithful, speaking to a universal yearning for justice, dignity, and love.

He visited war zones, washed the feet of prisoners, opened the doors of the Vatican to the homeless, and traveled extensively across five continents to be with people where they lived, struggled, and hoped.

A Voice for the Voiceless

From Day One, Francis aligned himself with the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. He regularly condemned global inequality, military conflict, environmental destruction, and the excesses of capitalism.

His groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’ made headlines by addressing the climate crisis as not only an environmental issue but a moral one.

“The cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor are the same,” he wrote.

Global Reactions Pour In

Leaders from every corner of the globe have responded with tributes to the late pontiff. U.S. President, heads of state, UN officials, Muslim and Jewish leaders, as well as ordinary faithful, expressed deep sorrow.

In Buenos Aires, bells tolled across cathedrals, and thousands gathered in silent prayer.

“We have lost a spiritual father,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “But his voice will echo for generations.”

Funeral and Succession

The Vatican has declared nine days of official mourning, during which Pope Francis will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica. A public funeral mass is scheduled for April 26, to be presided over by the Dean of the College of Cardinals.

The conclave to elect his successor will begin shortly thereafter, likely in early May, as the Church enters a new era with his passing casting a long, merciful shadow.

Final Thoughts: A Heart Still Speaking

Pope Francis’ departure marks the end of one of the most compassionate and transformative papacies in modern history. In a world increasingly fractured by fear and division, he reminded us—consistently and powerfully—that mercy is not weakness, but strength.

He didn’t just preach the Gospel. He lived it—in word, in gesture, in silence, and in sacrifice.

As millions prepare to say goodbye to the Bishop of Rome, we do so with full hearts, carrying forward his legacy of tenderness, humility, and justice.

“If God is infinite mercy, then we too must be.”
— Pope Francis, 2016

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Last Updated on: Monday, April 21, 2025 2:28 pm by Admin | Published by: Admin on Monday, April 21, 2025 2:23 pm | News Categories: News

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