Vatican City – April 21, 2025:
Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday. The pontiff, who had been battling a prolonged illness and had recently been hospitalized, died at his residence in Vatican City.
In an official announcement, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis’s funeral will take place at Rome’s Saint Mary Major Cemetery, fulfilling his personal request for burial outside the Vatican grounds. This marks a historic departure, as it is the first time in over a century that a pope will be buried outside Vatican City.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. As the first Jesuit pope and the first pontiff from the Americas, his papacy marked a period of significant reforms and a focus on social justice, mercy, and interfaith dialogue.
Pope Francis was known for his advocacy of environmental sustainability, tackling economic inequality, and speaking out on issues like climate change and migration. He was also a staunch proponent of interfaith cooperation, peace, and human dignity, often reaching out to the marginalized and impoverished communities worldwide.
His papacy, which lasted 12 years, left an indelible mark on the Church and the world. The Vatican is expected to announce funeral arrangements and the upcoming papal conclave to elect his successor in the coming days.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan has expressed profound condolences to the Vatican and the Christian community globally. In his message from Islamabad, Sharif described Pope Francis’s passing as “an irreplaceable loss” for the world, especially for Christians. He praised the Pope’s leadership and his promotion of a message centered on love, tolerance, and mutual respect.
Sharif specifically acknowledged Pope Francis’s final message regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where he called for an end to the war and the protection of human rights during Easter. The Prime Minister lauded Pope Francis’s role as a beacon of peace, offering guidance on moral and ethical conduct that inspired billions of followers.
Church leaders and world leaders alike are reflecting on Pope Francis’s legacy as Catholics prepare for a period of transition in church leadership.
