Pope Francis Dies at 88, Easter Monday After One Day
Pope Francis, the globally admired head of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at age 88. His passing sealed an historic and extremely momentous papacy of over a decade in which he sought to redefine the Church as a mission-driven institution striving to be humble, socially just, and universally accepted.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Francis was chosen as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church in March 2013. His choice was historic on a number of fronts: he was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European to lead the Church in more than a thousand years. His selection followed the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and marked the start of an era of reform and renewal.
During his reign, Pope Francis was noted for his modesty, often preferring to reside modestly and avoiding much of the ceremonial nicety of the papacy. He was regularly referred to as the "People's Pope," a nickname earned by his determined focus on tending to the poor, environmental causes, and on demanding mercy and compassion over stringent dogma.
Francis innovated with vision and words of action. He was a supporter of gay civil unions, talked of the need to face climate change head-on, and challenged global economic disparities. In 2015, he wrote the encyclical Laudato Si', a passionate plea for environmental responsibility that resonated far beyond the Catholic fold. He also placed great emphasis on interfaith dialogue, working to reconcile Christians, Muslims, Jews, and those of other religions.
Despite his global popularity, Francis's papacy was not smooth sailing. He faced internal opposition within the Vatican from more traditional elements opposed to his policy of reform. He also battled on with the persistent clergy sex abuse scandal and implemented new procedures to try to achieve accountability and transparency—although others felt those actions were insufficient.
In the weeks leading up to his death, Pope Francis's health had visibly declined. He was hospitalized multiple times in early 2025 due to complications from pneumonia and respiratory infections. But he did get out for one final public appearance on Easter Sunday, reading his usual Urbi et Orbi blessing from a wheelchair in front of an estimated tens of thousands who had assembled in St. Peter's Square. It was his last.
The Vatican said Pope Francis died peacefully in his sleep during early Monday morning, a day following the holiest of Christian holidays. That he died one day after Easter Sunday impressed many believers with a feeling of religious symbolism, reminding everyone of his image as a pope who was solidly based on the word of Christ's resurrection and hope.
In the early stages of the shock, condolences poured in from leaders around the globe. Heads of state, spiritual leaders, human rights activists, and millions of ordinary citizens remembered Francis as a courageous, humble reformer who attempted to bring the Church closer to the people. National authorities in his native Argentina declared a week of mourning in his honor.
Pope Francis requested to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he often prayed beforehand for great travels. His funeral is expected to draw millions of pilgrims and dignitaries from across the world.
As the Catholic Church grieves, attention now turns to the conclave that will select his successor. But Pope Francis's legacy will certainly shape the Church's destiny for generations to come. His humility, openness, and rock-solid commitment to social justice imposed an indelible mark—not only on Catholicism, but on the moral conscience of the world.
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Pope Francis Dies at 88, Easter Monday After One Day
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