Pope Francis Dies on Easter Monday at 88: A Legacy of Humility and Reform

On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 in his residence at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced his death at 9:45 AM, stating, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”

A Historic Papacy

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Pope Francis became the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church in March 2013. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff in over a millennium. His papacy was marked by humility, choosing to reside in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta rather than the traditional Apostolic Palace, and emphasizing care for the poor and marginalized.

Advocacy and Reforms

Pope Francis championed social justice, addressing issues such as economic inequality, climate change, and LGBTQ+ rights. He called for the abolition of the death penalty and condemned the treatment of Indigenous students in Canadian residential schools, labeling it as genocide. His efforts to reform the Catholic Church included promoting transparency and addressing global sex abuse scandals

Final Days and Legacy

Despite longstanding health issues, including a hospitalization earlier in 2025 for pneumonia and kidney failure, Pope Francis continued his duties, delivering his final Easter blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica on April 20. His death occurred the next morning at his Vatican residence. World leaders and religious figures have paid tribute to his inclusive leadership and enduring legacy, recognizing his commitment to humility, compassion, and universal love.

Source: Vatican News