Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced early Monday morning. His death occurred at 07:35 local time on Easter Monday, just a day after he appeared in St. Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of faithful. As the first Latin American, the first Jesuit, and the first non-European in over a millennium to lead the Catholic Church, his papacy marked a profound turning point in the Church’s long history.
Elevated to the papacy in 2013, Pope Francis was a figure of remarkable humility and reform. Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, he worked tirelessly to shift the Church’s focus toward compassion, social justice, and care for the marginalized. Even as he navigated complex theological issues, his human warmth, and unmistakable “contagious smile” captivated millions around the world, from devout Catholics to secular admirers.
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to a Man of Compassion and Peace
World leaders from every corner of the globe have paid heartfelt tributes to Pope Francis, praising his unwavering commitment to peace, tolerance, and human dignity. French President Emmanuel Macron called him a “man of humility,” while Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof hailed him as “a man of the people.” Their sentiments echoed across continents, a testament to Francis’s universal appeal beyond religious boundaries.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola noted how his “contagious smile captured millions of hearts worldwide,” and Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised his “boundless compassion.” Meanwhile, Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter referred to him as “a great spiritual leader, a tireless advocate for peace,” and Scottish First Minister John Swinney described him as “a voice for peace, tolerance, and reconciliation.” The global outpouring of affection underscores the rare, bridge-building role Pope Francis played in an increasingly divided world.
A Simpler Farewell: Pope Francis’s Final Wishes
In keeping with his lifelong commitment to simplicity and humility, Pope Francis had approved plans to simplify the papal funeral rites. Unlike previous popes, who were buried in three nested coffins and laid on a public catafalque, Francis requested a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc. His body will not be displayed on a raised platform but will remain inside the coffin with the lid removed for mourners to pay their respects.
In another historic first, Pope Francis will be buried outside the Vatican, at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, one of the city’s four major papal basilicas. This choice reflects his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and his desire to remain close to ordinary believers even in death. His funeral is expected to draw millions, both in person and around the world, who will gather to honor a pontiff whose leadership reshaped the modern Catholic Church.
A Bridge Builder Among Faiths: Tributes from Other Churches
The acting head of the Church of England, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, shared an emotional tribute, recalling Pope Francis’s remarkable ability to unite Christians and reach across religious divides. “Francis showed us how to follow Jesus and encouraged us to go and do likewise,” he said, highlighting the late pontiff’s deep compassion for the poor, migrants, and the planet itself.
Cottrell, who had met Pope Francis in 2023, remembered him as “a holy man of God who was also very human.” He emphasized the Pope’s wit, liveliness, and profound interest in others, qualities that made him beloved across denominations. “In their humility and focus on those at the margins, his actions, his whole life, were instantly recognizable as those of one who followed Jesus,” the Archbishop noted, offering a poignant reminder of Francis’s profound spiritual legacy.
Legacy of a Transformative Pontiff
Pope Francis’s legacy will be remembered for generations. Born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, he was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969 and rose through the Church ranks to become Cardinal of Buenos Aires in 1998. Throughout his ministry, he combined theological orthodoxy on sexual matters with a passionate advocacy for social justice, environmental stewardship, and outreach to society’s most vulnerable.
During his pontificate, he continued the work of modernizing the Church while carefully balancing tradition and reform. His papacy followed that of Benedict XVI, who had retired—a rare act in Church history—and for nearly a decade, the Vatican Gardens were home to two living popes. Despite facing challenges from both conservatives and progressives, Pope Francis remained a guiding light, urging the faithful to walk alongside the poor, the forgotten, and the excluded. His death leaves a profound void, but his spirit, teachings, and example will endure, inspiring generations to come.
