After serving for 12 years as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis died of a stroke after his cardiovascular system collapsed on the morning of April 21.
At the age of 88, the Pope took his final breath after years of reforming the Roman Catholic Church to be more inclusive.
Francis was the first Jesuit Pope and the first Pope from Latin America, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Elected in March of 2013, he became the 266th Pope.
Francis believed in helping and recognizing the underprivileged, preventing climate change, advocating for migrants, aiding victims of sexual abuse and reaching out to alienated LGBTQ Catholics. His actions and beliefs showed his devotion to following the morals of the Catholic Church. In the wake of sexual abuse cases within the Catholic Church, Francis expertly addressed the issues in order to rebuild the Church’s reputation.
Francis was an advocate, a world traveller and a pacifist. He often travelled to other countries, met with leaders and urged them to solve their internal issues without violence. Even in his last years, Francis travelled to places such as South Sudan, speaking with authoritative figures to encourage the end of conflicts.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance was one of the last leaders to have a discussion with Francis before his death. They met briefly on April 20 at the Vatican during the Easter Sunday mass. Francis warned Vance about the Trump Administration’s recent deportations and gave his opinion on the matter. Their meeting only lasted a few minutes but Vance left Francis by telling him “I pray for you every day.”
In recent years, Francis used a cane and wheelchair due to his weakening health and physical conditions. After an intestinal surgery, developing a bad knee and suffering from respiratory ailments, Francis’ condition became increasingly worse. This did not stop him, however, from preaching around the world, speaking out and advocating for his beliefs.
Francis was able to give one final speech on Easter Sunday.
“Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness and truth over falsehood. Forgiveness has triumphed over revenge. Evil has not disappeared from history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer has the upper hand; it no longer has power over those who accept the grace of this day,” said Francis.
Francis’ will was simple and he is to be buried in a tomb in Rome. Throughout the world, many are mourning the death of the Pope. With his passing, the Church searches for a successor –- one who will carry on Francis’ legacy of compassion.
