On Monday morning, April 21, the world community learned of the loss of the spiritual leader of millions of Catholics — Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that the pontiff died at 7:35 a.m., the day after Easter.
“Francis has returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was devoted to serving the Lord and His Church,” — said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
The First Pope from Latin America
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known to the world as Pope Francis, became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first Jesuit pope. His election in 2013 was marked by several historic “firsts”: he became the first pope from South America, the first non-European in over 1,200 years, and the first Jesuit to hold the head of the Church.
He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi — the patron of the poor, peace, and nature. This choice reflected the pontiff’s vision: an open church for all, attention to the poor and marginalized, environmental protection, tolerance, and interfaith dialogue.
Pope of Change and Challenges
His pontificate will be remembered as one of the most progressive in the history of the Catholic Church. Francis:
- condemned social inequality and the impunity of capitalism;
- actively advocated for environmental protection, calling the planet “our common home”;
- apologized for sexual abuse within the Church, called for transparency and accountability for perpetrators;
- opened the doors to recognizing same-sex couples and accepting transgender individuals into the Church;
- elevated women to high positions within the Vatican;
The Last Years and Legacy
The final years of Francis’s life were marked by health problems: he underwent several hospitalizations, had issues with breathing, mobility, and nerve pain. In 2022, he hinted at a possible resignation, which sparked discussions within the Church about the future of the Papacy.
His death marked the end of an era of spiritual renewal and posed new challenges for the Vatican. However, Francis’s legacy — a pope who opened the Church to the world — will remain for a long time.
