Vatican City: The world gathered in sorrow and reverence today as the Catholic Church bid farewell to Pope Francis, a towering figure whose papacy reshaped the heart of the faith and touched millions beyond religious boundaries. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis led the Church from 2013 until his death on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
He was a man of many firsts: the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first pope born outside of Europe since Pope Gregory III in the 8th century. His election in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, marked a turning point — signaling a Church seeking humility, renewal, and deeper engagement with the modern world.
Born to a family of Italian immigrants, Bergoglio’s early life was shaped by modesty and resilience. After surviving a severe illness in his youth, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1958. Ordained a priest in 1969, he later became the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina and, in 1998, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. His elevation to cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001 set the stage for his eventual rise to the papacy.
Upon his election, Bergoglio chose the name Francis, honoring Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron of the poor and protector of the environment. From the outset, he rejected many of the traditional trappings of the papal office: he chose the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse over the Apostolic Palace, wore simple vestments devoid of rich ornamentation, and continued using the humble pectoral cross he had worn as a cardinal.
Throughout his twelve-year papacy, Pope Francis emphasized mercy over judgment, inclusion over exclusion, and service over privilege. He opened new paths for women’s roles in the Church, made LGBTQ individuals feel seen within the faith, and convened the Synod on Synodality, which many regard as the most significant Church event since the Second Vatican Council. His pontificate placed social justice and environmental stewardship at its core, notably through his encyclical Laudato Si’ and his passionate calls for action on climate change.
Francis also left a profound mark on global diplomacy. He played critical roles in the restoration of relations between the United States and Cuba, advanced dialogue with China regarding the appointment of bishops, and was a strong advocate for the rights of refugees and migrants. He condemned the rise of right-wing populism, decried the death penalty as inadmissible, and apologized for the Church’s role in the cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Despite his international influence, Francis remained deeply pastoral. His approach was always personal, favoring gestures of kindness over grand pronouncements. He knelt to wash the feet of prisoners and migrants, called for the protection of the environment as “a sacred duty,” and reminded the world that “the true power is service.”
In his final public appearance, during the Easter Sunday blessing on April 20, 2025, Pope Francis spoke movingly of peace, mercy, and hope. A day later, he succumbed to a cerebral stroke and cardiac complications, passing away peacefully.
Today, as 250,000 mourners filled St. Peter’s Square, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrated a solemn funeral Mass that reflected the pope’s lifelong dedication to simplicity. His body, placed in a plain wooden coffin lined with zinc, was interred at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, near the beloved icon of the Virgin Mary to which he often prayed.
Pope Francis leaves behind a Church forever changed: more humble, more open, more engaged with the struggles of humanity. His legacy of compassion, justice, and courage will continue to light the way for generations to come.
As the bells of Rome toll in mourning, the world echoes the final words often spoken by the man himself:
“Pray for me.”
