Vatican mourns the passing of the “People’s Pope” who transformed the modern Catholic Church
Vatican City – April 21, 2025 — Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has confirmed. His death was announced early Monday morning by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a solemn video statement from the Holy See.
“At 7:35 a.m. this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Farrell said. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
The Pope’s death follows years of serious health complications and a recent 38-day hospitalization earlier this year. Remarkably, just yesterday, he appeared before thousands of worshippers in St. Peter’s Square, smiling and blessing the faithful during Easter Sunday celebrations.
A Global Outpouring of Grief
Tributes have poured in from leaders around the world.
King Charles III said he was “deeply saddened,” praising the Pope’s unwavering commitment to peace and compassion. UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described him as a “moral giant” and commended his “tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all.”
Thousands of mourners began gathering in St. Peter’s Square within hours of the announcement. Many lit candles, carried crosses, or prayed silently beneath the fading Roman sky.
From Buenos Aires to the Vatican: A Legacy of Reform and Inclusion
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first South American and first Jesuit pope in the Church’s 2,000-year history when elected in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
Widely known as the “People’s Pope,” Francis championed the marginalized advocating for refugees, the poor, and those excluded from mainstream society. He made global headlines for his outreach to the LGBTQ community, his strong stance on climate change, and his calls for economic justice.
“If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge them?” Francis famously said early in his papacy a moment that marked a significant shift in tone from previous Vatican leadership.
He was also known for powerful symbolic acts, including washing the feet of Muslim, Hindu, and Christian refugees in 2016, and publicly warning against the “globalization of indifference” in a rapidly polarizing world.
Struggles with Health,
Despite his advancing age and a string of medical setbacks including colon surgery in 2021, respiratory issues, and a partial lung removal from his youth Pope Francis continued to lead with visible resilience. Even during his prolonged hospitalization in early 2025, he stayed in contact with Catholic leaders around the world and addressed the faithful via recorded messages.
His last public appearance was during the Easter Sunday service in St. Peter’s Square, where he greeted thousands with warmth and a signature thumbs-up gesture a moment now seared in the memory of many Catholics worldwide.
Next Steps: The Path to a New Pope
With the papal seat now vacant, preparations begin for the Conclave the secretive process through which cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. Vatican protocol typically allows 15 to 20 days before the process formally begins, though logistics are already underway.
In the coming days, Francis’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where millions are expected to visit and pay their final respects.
Pope Francis leaves behind an estimated 1.4 billion followers, a more globally connected and socially conscious Church, and a deeply personal legacy of humility, service, and love.
Cardinal Farrell concluded the Vatican’s official statement by saying:
“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.”
