Francis, the Shepherd of the Marginalized, Dies in Vatican After 12-Year Pontificate
By Richard Luthmann
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas, died Monday at the age of 88.
The Vatican released a brief statement announcing his death: “With sorrow in our hearts and hope in the Resurrection, we announce that His Holiness Pope Francis has returned to the house of the Father.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became a global religious leader known for his humility, his fierce commitment to the poor, and his call for mercy in the modern age. His pontificate marked a shift in tone for the Church—less about condemnation, more about compassion.
From his first words as pope—“Buona sera”—to his final days, Francis remained deeply connected to ordinary people. He shunned luxury, chose simple vestments, lived in the Vatican guesthouse instead of the Apostolic Palace, and often slipped away from security to visit the sick and marginalized.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi said, “He was a shepherd who smelled of his sheep. That was his greatest legacy.”
Francis’ death marks the end of a historic papacy that began on March 13, 2013. The first Jesuit pope and the first non-European in over 1,200 years, Francis was one of the most influential moral voices on climate change, migration, and economic inequality.
“He showed us the face of Christ in the poor,” said Sister Norma Pimentel, who worked closely with the pope on refugee issues. “He didn’t just talk about mercy—he lived it.”
But Francis also stirred controversy. His outreach to LGBTQ Catholics, calls for synodality, and criticism of unfettered capitalism drew fire from traditionalists. Still, he remained unmoved by critics.
“Who am I to judge?” became one of his most quoted lines.
Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Monday to pray and mourn. Many wept. Others sang hymns of hope. Bells tolled across Rome.
The White House expressed condolences by posting “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis” on social media, along with images of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump meeting with the Pope in 2017, and Vice President JD Vance’s recent meeting with him.
They acknowledged the profound impact of Pope Francis on millions of Christians worldwide.
A funeral Mass is expected later this week, with world leaders and faithful from every continent attending. In keeping with his wishes, he will be buried in a plain cypress coffin, just as St. John Paul II was before him.
Francis is gone—but his call for love, mercy, and justice echoes still.
Leave a Reply