Photo Credit: Long Thi&ecirc;n,&nbsp;Creative Commons&nbsp;Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic, wikimedia commons
The Vatican confirmed on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, that the 88-year-old pontiff passed away peacefully at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, following complications from a prolonged health crisis.
The official announcement was made early Monday morning by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
&ldquo;Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,&rdquo; Cardinal Farrell said. &ldquo;At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.&rdquo;
He continued:
&ldquo;He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God.&rdquo;
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas. His election in 2013 marked a turning point for the Church, ushering in a papacy defined by radical simplicity, social justice, environmental advocacy, and interfaith dialogue.
Despite persistent health challenges in recent years&mdash;including a respiratory illness that required hospitalization at Rome&rsquo;s Gemelli Hospital&mdash;Francis remained a steady and inspiring presence. Just one day before his passing, he made a brief but poignant appearance from the balcony of St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica to deliver the traditional Easter blessing, drawing cheers from thousands gathered in the square.
Though he did not preside over this year&rsquo;s Holy Week or Easter liturgies, he remained active in his final days, including a heartfelt visit to a Roman prison on Holy Thursday and a stop at St. Peter&rsquo;s Cathedral the following Saturday evening.
Pope Francis&rsquo;s voice&mdash;often described as a moral compass in a fractured world&mdash;now falls silent. Yet his legacy of mercy, inclusion, and fearless advocacy for the dignity of every human being will continue to echo through the Church and beyond for generations.
A Life of Humble Beginnings and Global Impact
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. The eldest of five children, he often reflected on the deep influence of his family, particularly his grandmother Rosa, whose devotion and storytelling shaped his early spiritual life.
His family history included a dramatic tale of survival: his grandparents narrowly avoided a deadly shipwreck while emigrating from Italy to Argentina. That story, passed down through the years, became part of the foundation for his later commitment to defending the dignity and rights of migrants around the world.
At 16, a profound moment during confession changed the course of his life, inspiring him to pursue the priesthood. He first entered a diocesan seminary before feeling a deeper call to join the Society of Jesus&mdash;the Jesuits&mdash;an order known for its intellectual rigor, global outreach, and emphasis on social justice.
His leadership qualities quickly became apparent. In 1973, at just 36 years old, he was appointed Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Argentina, guiding the order through a politically volatile era marked by dictatorship and repression. Known for his humility and refusal to seek status, Bergoglio chose to live simply, often cooking his meals and taking public transportation.
He later became Archbishop of Buenos Aires, then a cardinal, before being elected pope in March 2013. From the moment he stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica, his tone was clear:
&ldquo;Let us pray for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity.&rdquo;
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis lived by those words. He championed the poor and marginalized, emphasized mercy over judgment, and sought to build bridges with people of all religions and backgrounds. He addressed climate change, condemned injustice, and spoke boldly on issues that challenged both the Church and the world.
Francis chose to live modestly even as pope, residing not in the grand Apostolic Palace but in the simple guesthouse of Casa Santa Marta. His vision of the Church was one not of power, but of service.

On Air Now

Non-Stop Music

You May like

Schedule

Non-Stop Music