The world lost one of the most revered and venerated religious leaders in the Catholic faith on Easter Monday, the much loved and highly respected Holy Father, Pope Francis.

The globally known religious leader, who devoted his entire life to serving Jesus Christ, entered The Gates of Heaven on April 21, 2025 after recovering from a lengthy illness which eventually lead to the 88 year old passing.

In a statement released by the Vatican, Pope Francis, died due to a cerebral stroke which led him into a coma that eventually caused irreversible heart failure.

The Pontiff suffered from chronic lung disease and was first admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy on Feb 14, 2025 for a respiratory crisis and spent 28 days being cared for by top doctors and medical staff. Millions of Catholics and religious leaders around the world set up vigils and all night prayer sessions for his recovery.

The mass global appeal that the Pontiff had achieved was not only due to his life long devotion to Jesus Christ, but also because he resonated with millions of people who came from humble beginnings like himself.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Argentina to a middle class family, Francis was always drawn to religion and serving Jesus. In his early years, Francis suffered severe lung infections and had part of his lung removed in his early 20s. He felt a strong calling to the priesthood early on and was ordained a priest in 1969.

President Trump has directed flags flown at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis and along with First Lady Melania will be attending the Pope’s funeral in Rome in front of the St. Peter’s Basilica on April 26.

World leaders including France President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine President Zelenskyy will be attending the funeral along with other world dignitaries and politicians.

As the world gets ready for the funeral of Pope Francis, millions of faithful Catholics and religious people around the world will forever remember the famous words of the Holy Father which will resonate with them forever

“Death is not the end, but a new beginning.”

The journey on earth for Pope Francis has ended but his new one in eternity has only just begun.

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