April 21, 2025 is a sad day for the Christian world, as the Vatican City announced that the spiritual leader of Catholic Christians, Pope Francis, has died at the age of 88. He died at 7:35 a.m. (PDT) on Monday, a natural end after a long illness. Pope Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Berrioglio, was born in Argentina and elected pope in 2013, the first Latin American and Jesuit priest to lead the Catholic Church. His death has sparked a wave of global grief and mourning, as he played a prominent role in protecting the poor, the oppressed, and the environment during his 12-year reign.
Pope Francis’ journey has been extraordinary since the beginning of his pontificate. He advocated for the church to be a “church of the poor for the poor”, which won the hearts of progressives, but also caused disagreements with traditional groups. His health affected his activities in his final years, especially after a severe attack of double pneumonia in February 2025, which could have been fatal for him. Nevertheless, he showed his courage by appearing in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Easter Sunday on 20 April and offering his prayers to thousands of devotees. His last meeting was with US Vice President J.D. Vans, where he also gave out chocolate eggs for children.
After his death, world leaders paid tribute to his services. French President Emmanuel Macron called him “a great man who stood by the poor”, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief. British King Charles III praised his efforts for religious unity and service to humanity. During his lifetime, Pope Francis called for a ceasefire in Gaza and spoke out for the rights of refugees, which were part of his revolutionary mission.
According to the Vatican, preparations have begun for his funeral, which will be simple, as he rejected the tradition of three coffins and chose a wooden and zinc coffin, reflecting his modesty. His burial will take place in the caves beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, where other popes are buried. At the same time, a meeting of cardinals will be held to elect the next pope, which will include 138 voting cardinals, most of whom were nominated by Pope Francis himself.
Pope Francis’ death is a great loss not only for the Catholic community, but also for world peace and interfaith harmony. He always spoke of hope and love in his messages, as he said: “God loves in all circumstances, no matter how wrong you are.” His legacy, his revolutionary actions, and his simplicity will continue to be a guiding principle for generations to come. Christians as well as people of other faiths are saddened by his passing, and his services will always be remembered.
