Pope Francis Dies at 88, One Day After Easter Appearance
CLOSE Source: Vatican Pool / Getty
VATICAN CITY – On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the Vatican announced with deep sorrow the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88.
The first Latin American pontiff, born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, breathed his last at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
His death marked the end of a transformative and often challenging 12-year papacy focused on humility, justice, and reform.
Pope Francis ascended to the papacy in 2013, becoming the 266th leader of the Catholic Church.
From the start, he brought a fresh sense of approachability and simplicity, living in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the Apostolic Palace and forgoing traditional papal luxuries.
His leadership was shaped by his Argentinian roots, a devotion to the poor, and a commitment to addressing global social issues.
Throughout his tenure, Pope Francis championed causes often overlooked in traditional circles.
Take a look below at Pope Francis best moments:
He advocated for environmental stewardship through his landmark encyclical Laudato Si' , called for social equity, and extended compassionate outreach to marginalized groups, including migrants and the LGBTQ+ community.
His now-famous phrase, 'Who am I to judge?' resonated as a call for inclusion and mercy within the Church.
Pope Francis tackled monumental internal reforms, addressing financial transparency within the Vatican and making efforts to confront the Church's long-standing abuse scandals.
While these actions often drew praise, they also sparked criticism from traditionalists, leading to tensions within the Catholic hierarchy.
Despite challenges, his progressive vision left an impact on the Church as he prioritized dialogue and unity over division.
The Pope contended with health issues throughout his life, including a partial lung removal during his youth and recurrent respiratory ailments.
Earlier this year, he endured a 38-day hospitalization for double pneumonia, after which his health gradually declined.
On Easter Sunday, just a day before his passing, he delivered his final public blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, met with applause from thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Francis inspired millions beyond the Catholic faith with his profound humility and message of human fraternity.
He redefined the papal role as one rooted in service and compassion, emphasizing the Church's mission as a refuge for all.
His focus on social justice and care for the vulnerable will resonate far into the future.
The Vatican has announced that his funeral will be guided by simplified rites he personally approved, underscoring his commitment to a hu
SEE ALSO
Pope Francis Dies at 88, One Day After Easter Appearance was originally published on wibc.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
36 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: CAIR's national deputy director defends the group against L.A. Times op-ed
To the editor: Contributing writer Josh Hammer's recent column repeats bigoted, discredited conspiracy theories about American Muslims ('Label the Muslim Brotherhood's branches as terrorist organizations,' Aug. 15). Just as extremists once smeared Catholic and Jewish Americans as disloyal and accused Black civil rights leaders and Vietnam War protesters of being communist agents, Islamophobes today falsely claim that American Muslim institutions are part of a global terrorist conspiracy. The main target of Hammer's article was my civil rights group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations. For more than 30 years, CAIR has defended free speech, racial equality and religious liberty while consistently condemning all forms of bigotry — including antisemitism and Islamophobia — and unjust violence. We have spoken out against terrorism so often that ISIS once put a target on our executive director. Like other American Muslim institutions, CAIR is an independent nonprofit, not an agent of any foreign group. If Hammer's real grievance with CAIR is our advocacy for Palestinian human rights, polls show that most Americans oppose U.S. support for Israel's devastating war in Gaza. Does Hammer smear American Muslim groups because he fears our growing civic engagement will continue to reorient U.S. policy on Israel and Gaza in a more just, humane direction? Anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian activists are entitled to lash out, but the rest of us should not take their bigoted conspiracy theories seriously. Edward Ahmed Mitchell, Washington, writer is a civil rights attorney and the national deputy director of CAIR.
2 hours ago
Pope calls for peace in Middle East and Ukraine as he returns to Vatican
VATICAN CITY -- VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV asked people to fast on Friday to pray for peace and justice in the Middle East and Ukraine, issuing a special appeal as he returned to the Vatican from summer vacation. At the end of his weekly general audience Wednesday, Leo recalled that Friday is a special feast day dedicated to the Virgin Mary. He urged Catholic faithful to spend the day fasting and 'praying that the Lord grants peace and justice, and dries the tears of all those who are suffering as a result of the armed conflicts underway.' Leo has called for ceasefires in Gaza and Ukraine and for dialogue to achieve peace. Wednesday marked Leo's first day back at the Vatican after a period of vacation at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. Going forward, the pope has some important appointments including special audiences for the Vatican's 2025 Holy Year and the Sept. 7 canonization of the Catholic Church's first millennial saint Carlo Acutis. At the end of Wednesday's audience, Leo received a special gift: A Ping-Pong table decorated with his papal coat of arms. Leo, an avid tennis player, gamely picked up a paddle and bounced a ball on it, but the ball rolled into the net.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Pope calls for fasting and prayer for peace in Middle East and Ukraine as he returns to Vatican
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV asked people to fast on Friday to pray for peace and justice in the Middle East and Ukraine, issuing a special appeal as he returned to the Vatican from summer vacation. At the end of his weekly general audience Wednesday, Leo recalled that Friday is a special feast day dedicated to the Virgin Mary. He urged Catholic faithful to spend the day fasting and 'praying that the Lord grants peace and justice, and dries the tears of all those who are suffering as a result of the armed conflicts underway.' Leo has called for ceasefires in Gaza and Ukraine and for dialogue to achieve peace. Wednesday marked Leo's first day back at the Vatican after a period of vacation at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. Going forward, the pope has some important appointments including special audiences for the Vatican's 2025 Holy Year and the Sept. 7 canonization of the Catholic Church's first millennial saint Carlo Acutis. At the end of Wednesday's audience, Leo received a special gift: A Ping-Pong table decorated with his papal coat of arms. Leo, an avid tennis player, gamely picked up a paddle and bounced a ball on it, but the ball rolled into the net. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
