VATICAN CITY — A heartbreaking moment for the world: Pope Francis, the gentle and courageous shepherd of the Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that the Holy Father died peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.
The first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit to hold the papacy, and a beloved father to the faithful, Pope Francis was more than a religious leader — he was the beating heart of compassion in a fractured world.
He walked with the poor. He gave voice to the forgotten.
He broke barriers with love and reminded humanity that mercy, not judgment, is the truest form of faith.
His passing leaves a silence — deep and aching — across the globe. Churches have begun tolling their bells, candles are being lit, and prayers are whispered through tears. The man who once said, “The Church is a field hospital after battle,” now leaves behind a legacy of healing and humility.
As the world mourns, we remember him not only as Pope Francis, but as Papa — a tender father, a fearless voice, and a humble servant of God.
️ Go in peace, Holy Father. You have finished the race. The world is forever changed because you loved us so well.
