Pope Francis, the beloved spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 7:35 AM local time.
The Pope died at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican, where he had been recovering after a long illness.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.” “His entire life was dedicated to the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poor and marginalized.”
said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
A Long Health Battle
Pope Francis was hospitalized at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on February 14, 2025, after suffering from bronchitis which later developed into bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days of treatment, he was discharged to continue his recovery at home. Despite initial signs of improvement, his health deteriorated.
The Pope had long struggled with respiratory issues. At age 21, he underwent a partial lung removal in Argentina due to a severe infection, and later in life, he frequently faced lung inflammation, even cancelling several international visits.
His Pastoral Touch in Southeast Asia
Despite declining health, Pope Francis embarked on a historic apostolic journey to Southeast Asia in September 2024—his longest and most ambitious trip in years. He visited Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore, traveling over 32,000 kilometers in just 11 days.
- In Indonesia, he was warmly welcomed by Muslim leaders and Catholic faithful alike, emphasizing interfaith dialogue and religious harmony in the world’s third-largest democracy.
- In Timor-Leste, a deeply Catholic nation, massive crowds greeted him in the capital Dili. The Pope praised the country’s enduring faith and called for peace rooted in justice.
- In Singapore, the Pope met with diverse communities and highlighted the value of multicultural unity and compassion across faiths.
For many in the Philippines, the Pope’s death brought back memories of his landmark 2015 visit, when more than 6 million gathered for Mass in Manila—the largest papal gathering in modern history.
A Humble Legacy
Pope Francis will be remembered for his humility, reform-minded leadership, and unwavering compassion. From the outset of his papacy, he championed causes for the poor, immigrants, the environment (Laudato Si’), and the Church’s spiritual renewal.
Before his passing, Pope Francis had approved the second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, which reimagines papal funeral rites with simplicity and focus on resurrection hope—aligning with his personal wish that his funeral reflect the faith of a servant, not the status of a worldly ruler.
The Church Looks Ahead
With the passing of Pope Francis, the Church now enters a period of sede vacante. A conclave will soon be held at the Vatican, where cardinals will gather to elect a new Pope.
As the world mourns, Catholics and non-Catholics alike remember Francis not only as a Pope—but as a shepherd whose life embodied the Gospel he preached.
