By Ghazali Ibrahim 
As Christian’s all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and one of the most transformative religious leaders of the modern era, has been reported dead.
This is coming a day after the pontiff gave a short speech on Easter Sunday at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square, following his discharge from hospital last month, after five weeks of treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.
He passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed.
His death marks the end of a 12-year papacy that reshaped global perceptions of the Catholic Church, emphasizing mercy, humility, inclusion, and social justice.
Though no specific cause of death has been released, the Holy Father had been battling a number of health issues in recent years, including recurring respiratory problems and restricted mobility.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis was a historic figure long before his death.
In 2013, he became the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European to lead the Church in over 1,200 years.
He quickly became a global moral compass known not just for his gentle smile and humble spirit, but for his courageous voice in a world plagued by division and injustice.
He championed the rights of the poor, advocated for migrants and refugees, and became an outspoken defender of the environment through his landmark encyclical Laudato Si’.
Pope Francis’ call for a “revolution of tenderness” resonated deeply within and beyond the Catholic Church.
His second major encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, called for global solidarity and fraternity, urging the world to move beyond hatred, nationalism, and economic exploitation.
During his tenure, Pope Francis also undertook institutional reforms, including overhauling the Vatican’s financial systems and increasing transparency.
He initiated a more pastoral approach to divisive social issues, often repeating that the Church should be “a field hospital” for the wounded, rather than a tribunal of judgment.
Reactions to his passing have poured in from across the globe, with leaders, clergy, and faithful paying tribute to a man who many saw as a beacon of compassion and progress in a time of global uncertainty.
Flags fly at half-mast across the Vatican, and the tolling of bells from St. Peter’s Basilica echoes a deep sense of loss.
Preparations are now underway for a funeral Mass that is expected to draw millions of mourners and dignitaries from around the world.
The College of Cardinals will soon convene to begin the solemn task of selecting his successor in a conclave that will again draw the eyes of the world to the Sistine Chapel.
In condolence of the passing off of the pontiff, Juventus match against Parma has been called off.
