Pope Francis has died aged 88

Pope Francis has sadly passed away aged 88.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican State, which spanned 12 years from March 2013 to today, 21 April 2025.

He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first to take the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.

Pope Francis had many opinions on the current events in the world today, which sometimes ruffled the feathers of some politicians.

He was deeply committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of migrants. He often spoke out against the ‘globalization of indifference’ towards refugees and displaced individuals. His first trip outside of Rome was to Lampedusa, where he met newly arrived migrants; he also prayed for the migrant who died at sea.

Pope Francis believed that migrants are “brothers and sisters” deserving of compassion and support. He worked hard to provide aid and raise awareness about the struggles faced by migrants worldwide.

He cared greatly about other religions, including Islam, saying that “All religions have issues”; at the end of the day, no matter what religion you believe in, there is only one Creator. We are born on our own and we die on our own; that is all of us!

Pope Francis was the champion for the poorest in society and helped millions of people around the world. It is unknown what he thought of the current UK government’s attack on its own people.

He was very ill for a while and made his last appearance on Easter Sunday; he sadly died today from pneumonia.

With all Catholics and other religions in mourning today from around the world, lots of people paid tribute to him.

King Charles said:

“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church, and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”

US President Donald Trump said:

“Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May God bless him and all who loved him.”

PM Kier Starmer said:

“I join millions around the world in grieving the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.

His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the Church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.

Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden, and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution, and poverty. Yet he never lost hope of a better world.

That hope was at the heart of his papacy. His determination to visibly live out his faith inspired people across the world to see afresh the Church’s teachings of mercy and charity.

With his death, we are reminded once more of his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations, and beliefs.

My thoughts are with Catholics across the world and the Roman Catholic Church. May His Holiness Rest in Peace.”

Maybe PM Starmer and his Labour team could take a leaf out of Pope Francis’s book and actually stop attacking the most vulnerable in society and actively help them!

Pope Francis will now lay in state for three days, and his funeral is possibly on Friday or Saturday this week. You can see the Pope; however, expect mega-sized queues that could see you waiting much of the day. Travel to Rome won’t be affected, but getting accommodation could be an issue.

Pope Francis will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood.