The only time we are allowed to look down upon others, is when we are offering to help them up. – Pope Francis December 17 1936 – April 21 2025
The day after his balcony visit at the Vatican, Pope Francis passed away; cause of death was said to be from stroke and heart failure. Immediately accolades started pouring out from around the world. Former US President, himself a Catholic (the second Catholic US president), said of the Pope that he was “the most consequential leader,” and that he was a better person for having known him. On his part, the White House announced that current President Donald Trump will attend the Pontiff’s funeral set to be at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (also known as Basilica of St. Mary Major) in Rome, and will be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican, according to CNN news.
Pope Francis has a long list of firsts. His biography states that Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025). He was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 until his death in 2025. The Pope was the first pontiff from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order); he was the first Latin American; he was the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere; and Pope Francis was the first born or raised outside of Europe since the 8th-century Syrian Pope Gregory III. (Wikipedia)
Being a historian and current affairs commentator, as well as having many Catholic members of my family, it was pleasing for my sister Sylvia and me to watch Pope Francis appear at the balcony that overlooks St. Peter’s Square on Resurrection Sunday. As his custom, he delivered a special blessing called Urbi et Orbi (To the city and the world).
Earlier on Holy Sunday, Pope Francis had a brief audience with US Vice President JD Vance and his family. The vice president then held a meeting with a designated Vatican Official.
Upon his death, the accolades have been pouring on social and main media news outlets. In Malawi, pictures of Malawi leaders including President Chakwera and Malawi’s former and late Vice President Saulos Chilima. Among the international accolades are politicians, the entertainment community, and philanthropic community.
Former President Biden: Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time…. Above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope, and love.
Former Secretary of State (former First Lady) Hillary Clinton: In Pope Francis’s last public address, he preached care of the marginalized, vulnerable, and migrants, saying: “I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves.” May we heed his wish.
Senator Chuck Schumer: I join the world in mourning the sad news of Pope Francis’s passing. Pope Francis’s message of hope inspired people around the world – people of all faiths. His compassion and love for the less fortunate was felt in every corner. His papacy will be remembered as a beacon of light and hope against the darkness. My prayers are with the billions of people today who are mourning his loss.
Senator Cory Booker: My condolences to everyone in the Catholic faith and beyond who are feeling the loss of Pope Francis today. May his memory be a blessing.
Melinda Gates: By naming himself the patron saint for the poor, Pope Francis placed poverty at the center of the Gospel. With grace and love, he put faith in action. His Holiness used a healing hand to lift up the most vulnerable among us. Spending time with him was one of the honors of my life.
Whoopie Goldberg: He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ’s love enveloped believer and non-believer. He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real. Sail on Pope Francis with your love of humanity and laughter.
Eva Longoria: Rest in peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and for speaking up for the marginalized. Your compassion, kindness, and humility will always be remembered.
These and many accolades of the People’s Pope resonate with the life he displayed for all to see. One of his recent acts was washing the feet of migrants whose ships had washed ashore, saying these are our brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis will be laid to rest on Saturday April 26, 2025. Among the world leaders to attend the Pope’s funeral among others are ARGENTINA – President, BELGIUM – King and Queen, Prime Minister, BRITAIN – Prince William and Prime Minister, BRAZIL – President and First Lady, CROATIA – President, SPAIN – King and Queen, SWEDEN – King, Queen Prime Minister, SWITZERLAND – President, UKRAINE – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, UNITED NATIONS – Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and UNITED STATES – President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
While almost all European countries’ leaders will be present, there to date, no leader from Africa will attend the funeral.
The late Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina to parents that were immigrants from Italy.
May his soul rest in Jehovah God’s eternal loving peace,
