Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 21, 2025
We join billions of people around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis.
The Holy Father, and head of more than two billon Christians passed away early this Morning in Rome (around 5.35 pm NZT).
The Pope’s death came less than 24 hours after he made an appearance at the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. He was in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to cheering crowds, wishing those gathered a ‘Happy Easter.’
A True Disciple of Lord Jesus
The announcement was made at the Vatican by Cardinal Kevin Farrell from the Chapel of Domus Santa Marta, where the Pope resided.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of God, One and Triune,” he said.
His passing was met with deep sorrow across the world, with bells tolling in Church Towers throughout Rome as the news was announced. Pope Francis had been battling double pneumonia, spending thirty-eight days in hospital, the longest stay of his Papacy. Despite his illness, he emerged on Easter Sunday, just a day before his passing, to bless thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square, offering them a final moment of connection and warmth.
The World mourns
The world in mourning reflects upon the passing of Pope Francis, a leader whose profound humility and unwavering dedication to humanity transcended borders, beliefs, and traditions.
As the first Pope to hail from Latin America, he brought with him not only the weight of history but an unyielding commitment to fostering kindness, understanding, and social reform. His tenure was marked by a relentless pursuit of justice, an embrace of the marginalised, and a deeply personal approach to faith—one that prioritised love over judgment, acceptance over exclusion.
From the moment he was appointed Leader of the Catholic Church in 2013, Pope Francis rejected the grandeur and ostentation that had long been associated with the papacy. He chose simplicity over spectacle, humility over hierarchy. Unlike his predecessors, he refused the trappings of lavish Vatican residence, opting instead to live in the modest guesthouse, closer to the people he served.
When asked how he should be addressed, he shunned formality with the simple reply: “Just Francis.” This was not a symbolic gesture, but a reflection of his deep-rooted belief that leadership was not about power but about service.
A Pope for the People
Pope Francis was more than just a religious figure; he was a beacon of hope for millions. His approach to the papacy was deeply personal, grounded in empathy rather than authority. He walked among the poor, embraced those whom society had cast aside, and listened, truly listened, to the struggles of everyday people. In his travels across the world, he met with refugees fleeing war-torn nations, visited prisoners languishing in isolation, and spoke to families devastated by poverty. He was never content to observe from afar; he immersed himself in the realities of the suffering, making their burdens his own.
For many, he was the first Pope who truly felt like a father, offering comfort, understanding, and unwavering support. He challenged the notion that faith should be rigid, instead advocating for a Church that was compassionate, inclusive, and open to dialogue. His words were not merely sermons; they were calls to action, urging individuals and institutions alike to be kinder, more generous, and more attuned to the pain of others.
Championing Social Justice
Perhaps one of the most defining aspects of Pope Francis’ leadership was his unrelenting advocacy for social justice. He condemned the widening gap between the rich and the poor, decrying economic systems that prioritised wealth over human dignity. His speeches often carried with them an urgency, a desperate plea for change, a call to awaken society to the injustices that had become so deeply ingrained in modern life.
His 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, was a groundbreaking statement on environmental stewardship, placing climate change firmly within the realm of moral responsibility. He called upon world leaders to act decisively, warning that the destruction of the planet was not merely an economic issue but a spiritual crisis. To him, protecting the earth was an extension of faith, a sacred duty bestowed upon humanity. His passionate appeals for sustainability resonated far beyond religious circles, influencing politicians, activists, and communities worldwide.
Embracing the Marginalised
Pope Francis recognised the struggles of those who had long been cast aside by religious doctrine –
divorced individuals, LGBTQ+ communities, and those who had found themselves alienated by traditional interpretations of faith. His response was always rooted in compassion.
He did not seek to rewrite theological principles, but rather to offer a more humane approach—one in which people were seen as individuals, not as categories or labels.
His now-famous words, “Who am I to Judge?,” spoken in response to questions about homosexuality, signalled a shift in the Church’s approach.
It was not an abandonment of doctrine but an acknowledgement that faith must evolve to reflect the complexities of human experience. To him, religion was not meant to be a tool of exclusion, but rather a means of embracing the fullness of humanity with kindness and understanding.
His ability to balance tradition with modernity was nothing short of remarkable. He did not seek to dismantle the foundations of the Church but rather to soften its edges, to make it a place of refuge rather than condemnation. His leadership offered solace to those who had felt distant from their faith, drawing them back not with dictates but with compassion.
Building Bridges Across Faiths
Pope Francis understood that unity transcended doctrine. He was a champion of interfaith dialogue, forging relationships with leaders from Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. He saw religion not as a dividing force but as a means of fostering connection, urging communities to focus on their shared values rather than their differences.
His historic meetings with Islamic leaders, including the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, paved the way for greater mutual respect and collaboration. His signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in 2019 was an unprecedented moment, a declaration of peace between faiths that set an example for nations across the globe. He reminded the world that religion should never be wielded as an instrument of conflict, but rather as a force for reconciliation.
A Legacy that will endure
The passing of Pope Francis is not merely the loss of a spiritual leader; it is the departure of a man who embodied the highest ideals of humanity. His teachings were not confined to the walls of the Vatican—they stretched across continents, resonating with millions, regardless of their faith or background. He was a Pope who refused to be distant, who refused to be unreachable. He walked among the people, embraced their struggles, and carried their burdens with a quiet strength.
His legacy will endure not in the grand halls of the Vatican but in the hearts of those he touched—the refugee he comforted, the family he blessed, the outcast he welcomed with open arms. His message was simple yet profound: love without judgment, serve with humility, and never allow faith to be used as an excuse for exclusion.
As the world mourns his passing, it also celebrates his life, a life that changed the course of history and reminded humanity of the boundless power of kindness. Pope Francis was not just a leader; he was a light in the darkness, a voice of reason in a divided world, and a guiding presence in times of uncertainty.
His words will continue to echo, his actions will continue to inspire, and his spirit will remain ever-present in the lives of those who seek a world built on compassion, justice, and unwavering love.
Our Lord, our Master, Our Saviour would certainly take Pope Francis into His Fold so that the Pontiff can continue to be with his people.
