Pope Francis Passes Away at 88: A Legacy of Reform, Compassion, and Controversy

By: Manoah kikekon 

Pope Francis 

Pope Francis, the charismatic reformer who captivated Catholics worldwide while challenging traditionalists, died Monday at the age of 88. His passing comes just a day after he made a joyful appearance before thousands of worshippers at the Vatican on Easter Sunday.  

The first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas, Francis—born Jorge Bergoglio—led the Catholic Church since 2013, championing social justice, migrant rights, and environmental protection. His tenure was marked by efforts to modernize the Church, including governance reforms and a stronger stance against clerical abuse.  

Despite battling health issues in recent years, including double pneumonia that hospitalized him for 38 days, Francis remained active until the end. His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he greeted crowds from St. Peter’s Basilica.  

Breaking with tradition, Francis chose to be buried not in St. Peter’s Basilica but in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore—the first pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside the Vatican. He also opted for a simple wooden and zinc coffin, rejecting the customary three coffins, in keeping with his image as a humble pastor.  

Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the news in a Vatican statement: "Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT), the Bishop of Rome returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church."

Francis’s papacy was not without controversy. While he inspired millions with his progressive vision—famously saying, "If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge?" —conservatives accused him of doctrinal ambiguity on issues like abortion and divorce.  

His final months saw growing tensions within the Church, particularly during the 2023 Synod, where debates over the Church’s future highlighted deep divisions.  

With Francis’s passing, the Vatican will now follow centuries-old protocols leading to the election of a new pope. In the interim, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, will oversee daily operations.  

Francis’s legacy as a pope of the people—a man who prioritized compassion over dogma—will endure. As the world mourns, one question lingers: Who will step forward to continue his unfinished mission of reform?  

(AFP)