In the quiet hours of Easter Monday, as the world was still basking in the afterglow of resurrection celebrations, Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in modern Catholicism, died at the age of 88.
The Vatican announced his passing at 7:35 AM in his residence at Casa Santa Marta, just one day after he had greeted thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Square.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church,” announced Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman 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.”
A Papacy Defined by Mercy and Inclusion
Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s journey from the slums of Buenos Aires to the throne of St. Peter was as unexpected as it was revolutionary. Born to Italian immigrant parents in Argentina on December 17, 1936, Francis became the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. His election in March 2013 signaled a dramatic shift for a Church struggling with scandals and declining relevance in many parts of the world.
From the moment he stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and asked the crowd to pray for him before he blessed them—a reversal of tradition that spoke volumes—Francis made clear his papacy would be different. He chose to live in the modest Vatican guesthouse rather than the Apostolic Palace, carried his own luggage, and drove in simple cars rather than the traditional papal limousine.
“Pope Francis never visited Cincinnati, but his teachings and work influenced a generation of Catholics here who praised his work following his death,” noted Archbishop Robert Casey of Cincinnati, reflecting the global impact of a pope who never set foot in many of the places where his influence was most profoundly felt.
Champion of the Marginalized
Francis’s papacy was characterized by his unwavering focus on the poor and marginalized. He washed the feet of prisoners, embraced the disfigured, and consistently challenged a “throwaway culture” that he believed devalued human life and dignity.
“He continuously reminded us that we are the stewards of God’s creation and not its master,” said retired Archbishop Dennis Schnurr. “And he was an unwavering champion of world peace.”
The pope’s advocacy extended beyond traditional Catholic concerns. He became the first pontiff to use the word “gay” when speaking about LGBTQ+ people, famously asking “Who am I to judge?” when questioned about gay priests. While maintaining the Church’s doctrinal positions on marriage, he encouraged a more pastoral approach to LGBTQ+ Catholics and, in a controversial move, approved blessings for same-sex couples in 2023.
Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, called Francis “a gift to the church and to the LGBTQ+ community,” crediting him with opening doors that had been “sealed shut by the homophobia and transphobia” of previous popes.
A Prophetic Voice on Global Issues
Francis’s moral authority extended far beyond the boundaries of Catholicism. His 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si'” made him a leading voice on climate change, arguing that care for the environment was inseparable from social justice. His critiques of unchecked capitalism, which he once described as “the dung of the devil,” earned him both praise from progressives and criticism from economic conservatives.
On immigration, Francis was uncompromising, frequently challenging wealthy nations to welcome refugees and migrants. His first trip outside Rome as pope was to the Italian island of Lampedusa, where he mourned migrants who had drowned trying to reach Europe and condemned what he called a “globalization of indifference.”
These positions sometimes put him at odds with political leaders, including in the United States. Vice President JD Vance, who had a brief private meeting with the pope on Easter Sunday—just hours before his death—had previously clashed with Francis over immigration policies but shared his condolences on social media: “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”
Final Days and Health Struggles
Francis’s death came after years of health challenges. In his early 20s, he had surgery to remove part of a lung, and respiratory issues plagued him throughout his papacy. His final health crisis began in February 2025, when he was hospitalized with bronchitis that developed into bilateral pneumonia.
After 38 days in the hospital—during which doctors at one point considered halting treatment to allow him to die peacefully—Francis was released on March 23. Despite his frailty, he insisted on participating in Easter celebrations, blessing the crowd from a balcony before being driven through St. Peter’s Square in his popemobile, stopping several times to greet the faithful.
What Comes Next
According to Vatican protocol, Francis’s funeral will take place within four to six days. In April 2024, he had approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, emphasizing simplicity and focusing on “expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.”
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Diego Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world”—a fitting final statement from a pope who consistently rejected the trappings of power.
Following the funeral, the College of Cardinals will gather in Rome for a conclave to elect Francis’s successor. Only cardinals under the age of 80—currently 138 of the 252 total—are eligible to vote. They will remain sequestered in the Sistine Chapel until a new pope is elected by a two-thirds majority.
A Legacy of Reform and Renewal
As the Catholic Church and the world mourn Pope Francis, his legacy of reform and renewal remains a work in progress. His efforts to decentralize Church governance, combat clerical sexual abuse, reform Vatican finances, and promote a “Church of the poor for the poor” faced resistance but undeniably changed the institution’s trajectory.
Perhaps his most enduring legacy will be his insistence on mercy as the core of the Christian message. “A little bit of mercy,” he once said, “makes the world less cold and more just.”
In a world increasingly divided by ideology, nationalism, and economic inequality, Francis’s voice—challenging, prophetic, and deeply rooted in the Gospel—will be profoundly missed. As the Church prepares to select his successor, the question remains: Who can fill the shoes of the pope who preferred not to wear the traditional red ones?