Vatican City | Pope Francis is dead. The Holy Father died at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the House of Saint Martha in the Vatican. He was 88 years old. His pontificate, which lasted from 2013, forever changed the face of the Catholic Church, introducing a spirit of simplicity, mercy and closeness to the faithful.
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Pope Francis is dead. The pope from the end of the world has passed away
Judyta Swiatlowska in her article on wakcji24.pl highlights the uniqueness of the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as pope. She points out that he was the first pope from Latin America, symbolizing the opening of the Church to new perspectives. Swialowska describes his pontificate as a time of „mercy, proximity and reform,” in which the pope emphasized the Church’s presence among the poor and needy.
„Pope Francis has indicated from the beginning that he wants to be a shepherd of the Church of the poor and for the poor – writes Sviatlova. – „The Year of Mercy (2015-2016), he initiated, was a response to the spiritual needs of a world mired in individualism and fear. Francis did not so much proclaim doctrine as put it into practice: he visited prisoners, migrants, people living on the margins. He said: „The Church is not tax collectors of grace, but stewards of it,” – reads Catholic socio-economic portal wAkcja24.pl
Oscien and opoka-reflections-of-kristopher Kotowicz
Krzysztof Kotowicz, head of Diocesan News Agency, in his text „The Ring and the Opoka” on kotowicz.pl, portrays Pope Francis as an empathetic and open-minded figure. He emphasizes his ability to deal directly with people and his desire to neutralize conflicts. Kotovich also recalls the symbolic moment on March 27, 2020, when the Pope prayed alone in an empty St. Peter’s Square during the COVID-19 pandemic, which became the spiritual epicenter of the world. The author notes that Francis was both a „fetter,” a reminder of humility, and a „rock” on which the Church is built.
Writes Krzysztof Kotowicz: „The image I remember from the time of Francis’ pontificate is the evening of March 27, 2020, when a service was underway in a completely empty and rain-drenched St. Peter’s Square. I have a sense that it was on that evening that the apogee of Francis’ pontificate took place. For then we saw an empty square encompassed by the arms of St. Peter’s Basilica, and there the lone Bishop of Rome. He faced an onslaught of adversity of unknown magnitude”
Controversy-and-crisis
Judyta Swiatlowska of the wAkcja24.pl portal reminds us that Pope Francis has stirred up emotions, including negative ones. The author also notes that Francis has not shied away from controversial topics, such as giving Holy Communion to divorced people living in new relationships, which has sparked discussions among the clergy
„Francis’ pontificate has not been free of controversy. Particular tensions surrounded the publication of the exhortation Amoris Laetitia (2016), in which the Holy Father allowed the possibility of giving Holy Communion to divorced persons living in new relationships, after pastoral discernment. Although Francis has not changed Church teaching, his emphasis on mercy and accompaniment has sparked opposition from some conservative clergy. Some cardinals have issued formal dubia (doubts) to him, demanding clarification” – writes Swiatlowska.
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Pope Francis – Pope of the Synodal Church
Judyta Swiatlowska believes that the Church will no longer deviate from the synodal path on which Pope Francis has led.
One of Pope Francis’ most notable legacies remains his emphasis on synodality – that is, the entire People of God walking together. Launched in 2021 Synod on Synodality is not just an event, but a process that involves listening, discernment and shared responsibility by all the baptized. Francis did not see the Church as merely a hierarchy, but as a community in which the Holy Spirit speaks through various voices.
Although the process itself has not yet brought groundbreaking decisions, it has begun a profound change in the way the Church functions. Francis taught that it is not the answers that are most important today, but the right questions, posed in humility and community – states Swiatlowska.
Pope Francis – Inheritance and Future
Pope Francis has left behind a Church that is more open, aware of the challenges of modern times, and ready to dialogue with all people. His pontificate will forever go down in history as a time of bold reforms, deep spirituality and boundless mercy.”
The Church’s pontificate will be forever remembered as a time of bold reforms, deep spirituality and boundless mercy.
The future of the Church is pondered by Krzysztof Kotowicz:
„The 267th successor of St. Peter, whom, God permitting, we will know soon, will lead the Church further. Perhaps he will confront the Church and the whole world with the need to answer the questions that Pope Francis has enshrined in the encyclical „Dilexit nos”: Who I really am, what I am looking for, what meaning I want to give to my life, my choices or actions, why and for what purpose I am in this world, how I will judge my life when it comes to an end, what meaning I would like everything I experience to have, who I want to be toward others, who I am before God. The last phrase is important for „good morning” and for „good night”, it is the first and last question in the life of every person” – writes Krzysztof Kotowich, head of DAI.
Polish News / Culture /POK/ 21.04.2025
Article Pope Francis is Dead. The legacy of a pontificate that changed the face of the Church comes from Polish News Agency.