Pope Francis
Remembering Pope Francis
On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected in the conclave to become the first pope from the Americas. As the 265th successor to Saint Peter, he was the first pope to take the name of Francis, a name chosen in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi because he wanted “a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.”
Source: USCCB
To read his full biography, please visit the Vatican website.
Pope Francis passed away on the Monday of the Octave of Easter, April 21, 2025, at 7:20 am (Vatican Time). The cause of Pope Francis’ death has been identified as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification, and the Holy See Press Office released the report on Monday evening.
According to the medical report, the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes.
Pope Francis’ funeral is set for Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Source: VaticanNews.com
For more information, please click the links below
- Statement on the Death of Pope Francis from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Letter from Bishop John Noonan
- Pope Francis Biographic Timeline
- Liturgical Notes and Musical Resources for Use Upon the Death of Pope Francis
O God, faithful rewarder of souls,
grant that your departed servant Pope Francis,
whom you made successor of Peter
and shepherd of your Church,
may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven
the mysteries of your grace and compassion,
which he faithfully ministered on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.