Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pontiff and symbol of a more humble papacy, dies at 88

International

POPE Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the first pontiff from Latin America, died peacefully on Easter Monday, April 21, at 7:35 a.m. (Vatican time) in his residence at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City.

He was 88.

His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, who said in a statement:

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”

The Holy See has not released further details about the cause of death, though the pope had faced numerous health challenges in recent years, including respiratory problems and multiple surgeries.

The Archdiocese of Cebu, one of the country’s largest Catholic jurisdictions, joined the global Church in mourning.

In a statement on Monday, it invited the lay faithful, clergy, and religious to offer prayers and Masses for the eternal repose of Pope Francis, whose historic papacy began on March 13, 2013.

“May the Lord grant him the reward of his faithful service and welcome him into eternal peace,” the Archdiocese said.

Historic and transformative papacy

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis broke centuries of tradition when he became the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first pope from outside Europe in nearly 1,300 years.

The son of Italian immigrants, he rose from humble beginnings.

He worked as a janitor and nightclub bouncer in his youth, before joining the Society of Jesus in 1958 and being ordained a priest in 1969.

His election as pope in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, marked the beginning of a pastoral and reform-oriented leadership.

Embracing the papal name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, he immediately set the tone of his pontificate: “simplicity, humility, and a deep concern for the poor and marginalized.”

“My people are poor and I am one of them,” he once said in reference to his decision to live in a modest apartment and take public transport while serving as Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

As pope, Francis became a powerful moral voice in an increasingly polarized world.

He pushed for a “Church that goes forth,” advocating for dialogue over division, mercy over judgment, and accompaniment over exclusion.

Advocate for the marginalized

Francis often made headlines for his compassionate and sometimes controversial statements.

He challenged the Church to welcome everyone, including LGBTQ+ Catholics, saying, “The Church is open to all. Todos, todos, todos!” during a 2023 event in Portugal.

That same year, he approved blessings for same-sex couples, where he emphasized that people seeking God’s mercy should not be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis.”

While he firmly upheld Church teachings on abortion, calling it “homicide,” he consistently urged clergy to act as shepherds rather than judges.

“Communion is not a prize for the perfect,” he said, amid contentious debates over denying the Eucharist to public figures like U.S. President Joe Biden.

He also worked to increase the role of women in the Church, granting them the right to vote in synods for the first time and appointing women to senior Vatican positions.

He insisted that the Church must become more inclusive and synodal, involving both clergy and laity in decision-making.

Health and final days

Francis lived with a partial lung for most of his adult life, having undergone surgery in his early 20s due to a severe infection.

As pope, his health remained a concern. He was hospitalized in 2021 for colon surgery and underwent further treatments in 2023, including hernia repair and care for bronchitis.

Despite these challenges, he remained active and outspoken, often joking with reporters and maintaining a demanding schedule of international visits, interfaith meetings, and reforms inside the Vatican.

He continued working nearly until his final days, spending Holy Week 2025 in quiet prayer and reflection, according to Vatican sources.

Legacy of mercy and reform

Pope Francis will be remembered as a leader who sought to re-center the Catholic Church on the Gospel’s core message of mercy and compassion.

He pursued internal reforms, cleaned up Vatican finances, and confronted the clergy abuse crisis with an emphasis on accountability.

But his deepest legacy may lie in his efforts to bring the Church closer to the margins.

This was deeply felt during his 2015 visit to the Philippines, where he comforted Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Tacloban, urged families to pray and dream together, and inspired the youth to lead with humility and compassion.

Speaking to millions, he called on Filipinos to live their faith with joy, service, and solidarity, echoing the themes that defined his pontificate.

Over 12 years of leadership, Pope Francis authored landmark documents including Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Laudato Si’ on care for creation, and Fratelli Tutti on fraternity and social friendship, each calling Catholics to live the Gospel not only in word but in action.

As the Church enters another period of sede vacante, preparations are underway for a conclave to elect his successor.

Meanwhile, Catholics across the globe mourn a pope who embodied humility, courage, and faith.

Flags at the Vatican flew at half-mast Monday, while bells tolled in cathedrals worldwide.

In Cebu, local churches are expected to hold memorial Masses in his honor.

It is noteworthy that Pope Francis himself has said he wishes to be buried not in St. Peter’s Basilica or its grottoes, where most popes are laid to rest, but in the Basilica of St. Mary Major across town. This was because of his deep veneration for the Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People), an icon of the Virgin Mary housed there.(TGP)