Pope Francis Dies at 88 A Look at His Life and Legacy

Pope Francis Dies at 88: A Look at His Life and Legacy

Pope Francis, the beloved leader of the Catholic Church, passed away at age 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.

The Vatican confirmed his death at 7:35 a.m. at his residence in Casa Santa Marta. The cause was linked to a severe battle with double pneumonia and kidney failure, following weeks of health struggles.

His passing has sparked global mourning and tributes for a pope who reshaped the Church with his humility and heart for the poor.

Who Was Pope Francis?

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Francis became the first Latin American and Jesuit pope in 2013.

He chose the name Francis to honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the poor. Known as the “People’s Pope,” he won hearts with his simple lifestyle—like taking the bus as a cardinal and living in a modest Vatican guesthouse instead of the grand papal apartments.

Over his 12-year papacy, he championed the marginalized, criticized greed, and pushed for action on climate change. His warm smile and viral social media moments, like joining Instagram in 2016, made him a global icon.

A Life of Service

Francis led the Church through tough times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and clergy abuse scandals. He was a vocal advocate for refugees, prisoners, and the environment.

His 2015 speech to the U.S. Congress, a first for any pope, tackled immigration and religious freedom. Despite health challenges, including having part of a lung removed as a young man, he stayed active, blessing crowds in St. Peter’s Square just a day before his death on Easter Sunday.

What Happens to His Body?

Following Vatican tradition, Pope Francis’ body will be prepared with care. The Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, officially verifies the death by calling the pope’s baptismal name, Jorge, three times.

The body is then dressed in a white cassock and moved to a private chapel for prayers. Unlike past popes, Francis requested a simpler funeral. His body will lie in a plain wooden coffin lined with zinc, not on an elevated platform, reflecting his humble style.

The public can view him at St. Peter’s Basilica, but he chose to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, not the usual Vatican grottoes. A nine-day mourning period begins, followed by a conclave to elect a new pope.

Global Tributes Pour In

World leaders and fans mourned the loss. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met Francis the day before his death, called him a “beautiful soul.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised him as a “great shepherd.” On X, fans shared heartbreak, with one calling him “the most forward-thinking pope of my life.”

His death marks the end of an era for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, but his legacy of compassion lives on.

The Vatican now enters a “sede vacante” period, meaning the papal seat is empty. Cardinals under 80 will gather in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel to choose the next pope.

White smoke will signal a new leader for the Church. For now, the world remembers Pope Francis as a man who brought hope and humanity to the Vatican.

Share This Post: