Verghese V Joseph –
At 9:45 AM on Monday, April 21, 2025, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, solemnly announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. His words marked the end of an era for the Roman Catholic Church:
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God”.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis was the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church. His papacy, which began in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, was characterized by a profound commitment to humility, social justice, and outreach to the marginalized. He chose his papal name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, reflecting his desire for a “poor Church for the poor.”
Francis eschewed many traditional papal luxuries, opting to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace. He famously rejected bulletproof popemobiles, insisting on closer contact with the faithful. His simple lifestyle and messages of compassion earned him the affectionate title “People’s Pope”.
Pope Francis’s health had been fragile for years. In his youth, he underwent surgery to remove part of a lung due to a severe respiratory infection, a condition that would affect him intermittently throughout his life. In recent years, he battled several serious ailments, including abdominal surgeries in 2021 and 2023, and persistent respiratory illnesses that forced him to cancel public engagements.
On February 14, 2025, Francis was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital after suffering from bronchitis. His condition worsened, and by February 18, doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia. Over the next 38 days, he received intensive treatment, including blood transfusions and respiratory support. Despite moments of improvement, his health remained precarious, and he was discharged to Casa Santa Marta on March 23 to continue recovery under close medical supervision.
In his final months, the Pope’s mobility declined significantly, and he increasingly relied on a wheelchair. His public appearances became rare and brief, though he remained spiritually engaged, delivering messages of peace and hope amid global conflicts.
In April 2024, Pope Francis approved a revised edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the liturgical book governing papal funeral rites. This updated rite reflects his wish for simplicity and pastoral focus rather than grandeur. Notably, the ascertainment of death now takes place in the chapel, and the Pope’s body is immediately placed in the coffin, emphasizing dignity and reverence.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, explained that the renewed rite aims to underscore the Pope’s role as a humble pastor and disciple of Christ, rather than a worldly figure of power. This approach aligns with Francis’s lifelong emphasis on humility and service.
Pope Francis’s 12-year papacy reshaped the Catholic Church’s global image. He was a vocal advocate for the poor, refugees, and victims of war, often challenging economic inequality and consumerism. His landmark encyclical on climate change, Laudato Si’, called for urgent environmental stewardship.
Francis also advanced reforms within the Vatican, promoting greater transparency and inclusion, including appointing laypeople to leadership roles traditionally held by clergy. His diplomatic skills helped thaw relations between the United States and Cuba, and he made historic visits to conflict zones, including Iraq.
His pastoral tone softened the Church’s stance on LGBTQ issues, famously stating, “Who am I to judge?” regarding gay individuals seeking God. However, he maintained traditional Church teachings on marriage, abortion, and euthanasia, balancing progressive outreach with doctrinal continuity.
The death of Pope Francis leaves the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics in mourning. His passing on Easter Monday, a day symbolizing resurrection and hope, adds profound spiritual significance to this moment of loss.
The Vatican now enters the sede vacante period, overseen by Cardinal Farrell, who will manage the Church’s temporal affairs until a conclave elects a new pope. The faithful worldwide await details of the funeral Mass, which will follow the simplified liturgical guidelines set by Francis himself.
Pope Francis’s death marks the close of a papacy defined by humility, courage, and a relentless focus on the Gospel’s call to serve the least among us. His legacy will endure in the Church’s renewed emphasis on mercy, social justice, and dialogue with the modern world.
As the Catholic Church prepares to choose its next leader, the memory of Pope Francis’s example as a true disciple of Christ will inspire millions around the globe.
