Pope Francis Dies at Age 88
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- April 22, 2025
- 4:53 pm
- 43
- Trending
Pope Francis dies at age 88 on Monday, April 21, 2025. He passed away at 7:35 a.m. in his residence at Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. The Vatican confirmed that he died peacefully after a stroke. The stroke caused a coma and then heart failure.
His health had been a concern for many months. Earlier this year, he spent five weeks in the hospital. He was treated for double pneumonia and kidney problems. He was released recently. Despite his illness, he continued to work. He even appeared briefly on Easter Sunday. From his wheelchair, he gave his last “Urbi et Orbi” blessing. He smiled and waved to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis dies just a few years after leading major changes in the Catholic Church. He was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He became the first Latin American pope. He was also the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected in 2013, after Pope Benedict XVI stepped down. His papacy was marked by simplicity, reform, and care for the poor.
He chose not to live in the grand Apostolic Palace. Instead, he stayed in a modest guesthouse. He often carried his own briefcase. These simple acts made him a symbol of humility and change.
He focused on problems like poverty, climate change, and migration. He encouraged dialogue between different religions. He showed kindness to all people, no matter their background. He also tried to modernize parts of Church teaching. His words and actions brought both praise and criticism. But no one could deny his global influence.
Tributes Pour in from World Leaders
After Pope Francis dies, leaders from around the world expressed their sorrow. Tributes poured in from presidents, prime ministers, and religious figures alike.
Pakistan’s Response to Pope Francis' Death
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the death of Pope Francis. He said:
“Pope Francis will be remembered for his efforts in promoting peace, social justice, inter-faith dialogue, and the well-being of the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Pope Francis was a powerful voice for peace and justice, and his efforts to bring together communities of different faiths and promote mutual understanding will always be remembered.”
He continued: “The Pope’s passing is a great loss not only for Christians but for all those who valued peace and dialogue among religions. On behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Vatican and the entire Catholic community on this sad demise.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his grief, saying: “Pope Francis always guided billions of people to promote peace and love. Late Pope Francis was a symbol of inter-faith harmony, peace, and humanity.”
He added: “Under his leadership, the Catholic Church spread the message of affection, tolerance, and mutual respect worldwide. The message of Pope Francis was a source of inspiration for not only Christians but also the followers of all religions.”
The Prime Minister also recalled the Pope’s plea for peace: “Pope Francis’ recent statement on Easter calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Palestine, and an end to the human rights violations, reflects his peace-loving personality and love for humanity.”
He concluded: “His efforts to bring together communities of different faiths will always be remembered. His passing is an irreparable loss for the entire world, especially the Christian community. On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, I extend heartfelt condolence and sympathy to the Vatican City, the global Christian community, and his followers from around the world.”
International Tributes
US Vice President JD Vance said, “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday (Sunday), though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the… homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Pope Francis as a beacon of compassion and humility. He said, “Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage by millions across the world. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope. I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed admiration for Pope Francis, noting that he always advocated for the most vulnerable during times of war and crisis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences, praising the Pope’s efforts to promote dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. He said,
“Please accept my most sincere condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. Throughout the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See.”
Britain’s King Charles also expressed sorrow, saying, “My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry. His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”
Pope Francis’ Legacy and Funeral Arrangements
Pope Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, will lead the mass. The Vatican will observe the traditional nine-day mourning period known as novemdiales.
Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, following his personal request. This marks him as the first pope in over 100 years not to be buried in the Vatican.
Reflection on Pope Francis’ Impact
As the Catholic Church prepares for the next papal election, the College of Cardinals will soon meet in a conclave. Until then, the world reflects on the life and teachings of Pope Francis. His legacy of peace, humility, and reform will be remembered by millions across the globe.
