New Delhi: Pope Francis, the 266th supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and its first Latin-American leader, passed away on Easter Monday, 21 April, 2025, at the age of 88.
In a church long dominated by European hierarchy, the choice of a Latin American pope was a powerful symbol of the Church’s shifting global character.
His papacy marked a time of deep moral introspection. Pope Francis championed reform within the Vatican’s inner workings, pressed for accountability in the wake of clergy abuse scandals, tackled sensitive issues like divorce and interfaith relations, and famously called the Church a “field hospital” for a fractured world.
His life and leadership drew tributes from world leaders, faith communities, and people across the globe.
Reflecting on Pope Francis’s legacy, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell offered a warm tribute, saying the Pope’s teachings were lived through a life of humility and compassion. “This holy man of God was also very human…witty, lively, and full of warmth,” he said.
Among world leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his respects, writing in an X post that Pope Francis will be remembered as “a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage by millions across the world.”
Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the… pic.twitter.com/QKod5yTXrB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron praised his support for the vulnerable and his ability to bring joy and hope, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote, “The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere was ‘close to the people of Australia.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Francis was the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years and the first Jesuit to hold the office. His election in 2013 came after the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the first pope to voluntarily step down in nearly six centuries.
His death was confirmed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who announced that the Pope died at 7.35 am at his residence at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. Earlier this year, Pope Francis endured two serious health scares due to pneumonia, spending 38 days in hospital before being discharged on 23 March.
Just a day before his death, he made one last appearance on Easter Sunday, waving and offering a blessing from his wheelchair to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
In a post on X, Isaac Herzog, Israeli President, called Pope Francis a man of “deep faith and boundless compassion”. Noting the Pope’s commitment to peace and justice, Herzog affirmed that the Pope’s legacy will inspire generations.
I send my deepest condolences to the Christian world and especially the Christian communities in Israel – the Holy Land – on the loss of their great spiritual father, His Holiness Pope Francis. A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the…
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) April 21, 2025
Brazilian Prime Minister Jair M. Bolsonaro said, “For Brazil and the world, the figure of the Pope has always been a sign of unity, hope and moral guidance”. Meanwhile, The Prime Minister of Argentina, Javier Milei wrote that “despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his kindness and wisdom was a true honour for me.”
The Spanish PM, Pedro Sanchez, too, posted on X: “His commitment to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy.”
American Vice-President J.D. Vance extended his condolences to Christians worldwide, acknowledging the deep affection many held for Pope Francis.
I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days…
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025
As bells toll in mourning and flags are lowered around the globe, preparations commence for the conclave to elect a new pope, and the College of Cardinals will gather once more under the frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to choose a successor.
Sumedha Manhas and Suryansh Tripathi are interns with ThePrint.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
Also read: Francis: Outsider pope who humanised papacy, de-stigmatised homosexuality