Early in the morning of April 21, 2025, the Holy See released an obituary stating that Pope Francis died peacefully at the age of 88 on the Monday after Easter (7:35 a.m. local time) at the Vatican’s Basilica of St. Mary’s. The passing of the Catholic leader, who was revered by the world, marks the end of an era. According to the death certificate released by the Vatican, the Pope fell into a coma due to a sudden stroke and eventually died of irreversible cardiac arrest.
Pope’s life: from the streets of Argentina to the top of the Vatican
Pope Francis, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a family of Italian descent. Pope Francis joined the Jesuits in 1958 and went on to further his studies in Chile and Germany, where he was a learned, linguistically proficient cleric who lived a simple life.
On March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Benedict XVI, Bergoglio was elected the 266th pope, the first pope from Latin America in the history of the Catholic Church, the first pope of Jesuit origin, and the first non-European-born pope since Pope Gregory III (reigned 731-741).
Contributions during his tenure
In his more than 12 years as pope, Francis is known for his humble, pragmatic, and reform-minded leadership. He has proposed that “the Church is not a palace, but a field hospital,” emphasizing care for the poor, immigrants, and marginalized. He is a strong advocate of environmental protection, and in 201,5 he issued the encyclical “Blessed art thou,” which for the first time formally included the issue of climate change in the Church’s doctrinal discussions.
In addition, Francis has actively promoted transparency and governance reforms within the Church, strengthening the mechanism for dealing with sexual abuse scandals, overhauling the Holy See’s financial system, and working to improve the Vatican’s relations with other religions and countries, including pushing for the normalization of China-Vatican relations.
Last days: easter mass becomes farewell
Francis’s last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, when he celebrated Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square and delivered the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City of Rome and the Whole World”). Despite his illness and limited mobility, he attended in a wheelchair and sent warm greetings to the faithful around the world.
The night before his death, Francis also met briefly with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to discuss global migration policy and the humanitarian crisis, according to sources inside the Vatican. The meeting became the last diplomatic contact he had during his lifetime, reflecting his end-of-life concern for world affairs.
Funeral arrangements and wishes
Pope Francis’ body will be laid to rest in St. Peter’s Basilica for the faithful to venerate from April 23-25, according to the latest official announcement from the Vatican. The state funeral service will be held in St. Peter’s Square at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, and will be presided over by Giovanni Battista Ray, prefect of the College of Cardinals.
Tellingly, Francis left a clear wish during his lifetime that he would not be buried in St. Peter’s Grounds, but in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. This is a break with the tradition of previous popes and demonstrates the simplicity and humility he has always shown.
Religious and political leaders from around the world pay their respects
The death of Pope Francis has led to widespread mourning around the world. UN Secretary General Guterres said Francis “was a spiritual leader committed to peace and justice”; Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued an official eulogy, saying he “set an example of religious tolerance in the world”; and U.S. President Harris said he was “an example of religious tolerance in a time of global instability”. U.S. President Harris called him “a beacon of light for the conscience of mankind in a time of global instability”.
In addition, memorial Masses were celebrated by Catholic churches around the world. The Cathedral of Buenos Aires held seven days of remembrance, and the Argentine government declared three days of state mourning.
Challenges and global attention for the successor
The Holy See has announced that it will convene a conclave of cardinals (secret synod) in early May to select a new pope. Analysts generally agree that the next pope will face a complex set of challenges, including the aftermath of sex scandals, the secularization of the faith, religious extremism, and foreign relations with non-Western countries.
Meanwhile, the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics are also watching: Will this successor continue Francis’ path of reform? And how will he face an increasingly diverse and volatile world?
The end of a pope, the memory of a world
The life of Pope Francis is an expression of faith, courage, and responsibility. He was not a spiritual leader in the traditional sense of the word, but a “street pastor” who was willing to bow his head and wash his feet, and reach out to the poor.
Now he is gone, but his legacy will continue to have a lasting impact on the Catholic Church, the global religious ecology, and the hearts and minds of millions of ordinary people of faith. His death is not only a change of heart within the Holy See, but also a coordinate on the spiritual map of all humankind that will always be remembered.
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