21-04-2025
People Gather to Mourn, and Honor, Pope Francis
The world is mourning Pope Francis, who died on Monday at 88.
Church bells tolled in Vatican City, Manila, Paris and beyond as a tribute to the pontiff, a progressive reformer from Argentina. Catholics mourned as world leaders penned tributes.
Now, as the church prepares for the complex process of naming a successor, many are celebrating Francis's legacy as a champion of the poor who spoke his mind. He urged compassion for migrants, pushed for a frank conversation about the climate crisis and condemned the devastation in Gaza. Within the church, he also advocated for more inclusivity and worked to address its sexual abuse crisis.
'I am not a believer but what Francis said always touched my soul,' said Susanna Almonti, 60, who had come to St. Peter's Basilica after the news of Francis' death on Monday. She wept, adding, 'I felt his humanity even as a layperson.'
Here are some scenes of the reaction to his death. Credit... Todd Heisler/The New York Times
Reverend Canon Grzegorz Stasiak arranges flowers at the altar at St. Rose of Lima Church in Brooklyn on Monday. Credit... Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Cecilia Kim, 65, praying for the late Pope Francis at Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea. 'The pope even completed the Easter Service before the last moment,' she said. 'I am so sad.' Video
People lighting candles at Myeongdong Catholic Church in Seoul, South Korea, in memory of Pope Francis. Credit... Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
Outside Saint-Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy, on Monday. Video
Singing at the Cathedral and Sanctuary of Adoration in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, after the Easter Monday Mass. Credit... Guerchom Ndebo for The New York Times
Praying After Easter Monday mass at the Cathedral and Adoration Shrine in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Credit... Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press
People photographing a poster in Naples honoring Pope Francis that says in part, 'Thank you for everything … Naples greets you.' Credit... Eric Lee/The New York Times
Reverend Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, talking with the media about Pope Francis' legacy. Credit... Sarah Pabst for The New York Times
Parishioners at the Basílica de San José de Flores in Buenos Aires, the church where Pope Francis worshiped in his youth, following the news of his death, on Monday. Credit... Brendan Hoffman for The New York Times
A man praying Monday at the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Alexander in Kyiv.
