REST IN PEACE, POPE FRANCIS: A LEGACY OF COMPASSION, HUMILITY, AND GLOBAL IMPACT
By Daniel Okonkwo, Profile International Human Rights Advocate
"Though your earthly journey has ended, your legacy of faith and service will continue to inspire and guide us."
"The passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, marks a remarkable chapter in the history of the Catholic Church and the global Christian community." The 88-year-old pontiff passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. local time (05:35 GMT), a moment officially announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican Camerlengo: "This morning at 07:35 local time, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father."
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the first pope from the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order), the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years—since Pope Gregory III, a Syrian, in the 8th century. His papacy began on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and spanned over twelve transformative years.
Throughout his life, Francis was floating light of humility, spiritual dedication, and progressive thought. From his early years as a Jesuit priest—ordained in 1969 and later becoming the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina (1973–1979)—to his elevation as Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and his creation as a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II, Francis's journey was marked by an overwhelming commitment to the marginalized and the teachings of Christ.
In the days leading to his passing, Pope Francis battled a severe respiratory illness, including double pneumonia and complications from chronic lung disease—a condition he had lived with since the age of 21 when part of one lung was removed. Admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, he remained under medical care for 38 days, the longest hospitalization of his pontificate. Despite his illness, he continued to meet with visitors, hold private audiences, and even made a surprise popemobile appearance on Easter Sunday, waving to crowds in St. Peter’s Square—his final public appearance.
Tributes have poured in from around the world as leaders, clergy, and the faithful reflect on the life of a man who reshaped the papacy with grace, courage, and inclusivity. Cardinal Farrell, in a moving tribute, said: “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love—especially for the poorest and most marginalized.”
Francis’s papacy was groundbreaking. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, a symbol of poverty, humility, and care for creation. Known for his informal and approachable demeanor, Pope Francis declined to live in the ornate Apostolic Palace, choosing instead the modest Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse.
His leadership was marked by profound teachings and actions:
Inclusion and Compassion: He advocated for greater acceptance of the LGBTQ community, allowing individuals to be blessed, though not in a liturgical context.
Church Reform: He appointed women to key roles within the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, advancing gender representation in Church governance.
Global Advocacy: A staunch critic of unbridled capitalism, he challenged global powers on consumerism, overdevelopment, and environmental neglect, making climate action a central theme of his teachings.
Social Justice: He spoke against the death penalty, calling it "intrinsically evil," and championed migrants' rights, referring to their protection as a "duty of civilization."
Global Diplomacy: His tenure saw consequential moments such as the restoration of U.S.-–Cuba diplomatic relations, a historic agreement with China on bishop appointments, and moral confrontations with populist, anti-immigration policies—including those of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Reconciliation: In 2022, he issued a historic apology for the Church’s role in the cultural genocide of Canada’s Indigenous peoples.
Synod on Synodality: He launched the most significant ecclesiastical process since the Second Vatican Council, emphasizing listening, communion, and mission to renew the Church.
Despite his ailing health in later years, Francis remained active, often seen using a wheelchair, walker, or cane. Even in his final months, he continued to inspire and connect with the faithful, embodying the spirit of service to the very end.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy that transcends continents and ideologies. As the spiritual leader of an estimated 1.5 billion Catholics worldwide, he revitalized the Church with his steadfast dedication to mercy, justice, and humility.
As we bid farewell to one of the most transformative figures in modern religious history, we join millions in mourning his loss and celebrating his monumental legacy. May his soul rest in the eternal embrace of the Lord.
"We are grateful for the example of a leader who lived and loved as Christ commanded"
Requiescat in pace, Papa Francisco.
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| REST IN PEACE, POPE FRANCIS: A LEGACY OF COMPASSION, HUMILITY, AND GLOBAL IMPACT |
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