Pope Francis Dies at 88: Tributes Pour in for the Beloved Pontiff

Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church and a strong voice for the poor and vulnerable, has died at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his death early on Easter Monday. Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the news from Casa Santa Marta, near St. Peter’s Basilica, saying that Pope Francis passed away peacefully around 7:35 a.m.

“His whole life was for God and the Church,” Cardinal Farrell said. “He taught us to live the Gospel with love, courage, and kindness, especially for the poor and forgotten.”

Health Struggles Before His Death

The Pope had been facing health problems for some time. He was taken to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14 for bronchitis, which later developed into double pneumonia. Though he was released and seemed better, his condition worsened in the following weeks.

Despite this, Pope Francis appeared publicly on Easter Sunday, greeting thousands from the popemobile and offering his Easter blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Just hours before his death, he posted on social media: “Christ is risen! These words show us that we were not made for death, but for life.”

Reaction Around the World

The world has reacted with sadness and respect. The White House posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis,” along with photos of his meetings with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Also read: Good Friday 2025: Powerful Good Friday Messages and the Story of Jesus’ Love and Easter Hope

JD Vance, who met Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, shared his grief: “He was clearly unwell, but I was grateful to see him. I’ll always remember a homily he gave during COVID. It was deeply moving.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the nation was saying goodbye to a “great man and great shepherd,” and praised his wisdom and strength even during hard times.

Stephen Cottrell, the acting head of the Church of England, said Pope Francis helped build peace between different religions. “He was funny, warm, and very human,” Cottrell added.

A Pope for the People

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis made history in 2013 as the first Latin American pope and the first non-European pontiff in over 1,000 years. He chose the name Francis to honor St. Francis of Assisi and led the Church with humility and focus on social justice.

Even with part of one lung removed as a young man, he never stopped working. His time as pope was filled with messages about peace, helping migrants, and protecting the planet. He often criticized world leaders, including U.S. immigration policies under Trump.

Francis also worked to modernize the Church by softening its stance on topics like homosexuality, the death penalty, and women’s roles. However, he faced challenges, especially in addressing the Church’s long-standing sex abuse crisis.

Football Games Paused in Italy

Following the Pope’s passing, Serie A postponed all four Easter Monday football matches out of respect.

What Happens Next?

Now that Pope Francis has died, cardinals from around the world will come to Rome to choose a new pope. This period is a time of mourning but also a moment for the Church to decide its future path.

Pope Francis will be remembered as a humble and brave leader who stood with the poor, spoke for peace, and tried to bring change during difficult times. His legacy lives on in the hearts of millions of Catholics around the world.