After a two month struggle with his health, Pope Francis passed away in his residence in the early hours of Easter Monday, Apr. 21st, 2025.
On St. Valentine’s Day, Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital for bronchitis, later being diagnosed with pneumonia. After being in the hospital for nearly 40 days, he was able to go home and start recovery there.
His death was a shock to some; his health was seemingly beginning to decrease, and he was healthy enough to meet with United States Vice President JD Vance just the day before.
Theology teacher Ms. Jeffries shared that she, “was very sad to learn of the death of Pope Francis…I really thought after he went home from the hospital we would have more time with him as our leader.”
Students at Bishop Gorman are also mourning the death of Pope Francis, by reflecting on how much of a leader he was for the Catholic Church. “He was a servant of people from all walks of life, to see him pass away is certainly a shift in the Catholic Church,” Keith Paredes ‘27 said.
Currently, Church leaders are in the process of electing the next pope, but for now, members of the Church are reflecting on the life and legacy of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis was a pope who spread hope and love throughout not only the church, but the world. Ms. Jeffries said, “Pope Francis gave people hope: hope for today, hope for our future, and hope for the Kingdom of God.”
The late pope was an amazing example of good and just leadership. Gianna Latina ‘28 said, “I think that Pope Francis taught the church how to lead by love; that loving others is the most important thing in our church.”
Pope Francis was an amazing example of humility and lived a more simple life compared to other people with his amount of power. Latina shared, “he wanted to help the people and he led by example. He didn’t want special treatment just because he was the pope.”
He stood out from popes before him in many ways. As Father Jacob said, “he was the first pope from outside of Europe in over a thousand years,” and he was the first pope from a Latin American country in Church history.
He was a pope who wanted to help the whole world and challenged Catholics to live in a way that would help the world, and fully live each day as Jesus would. Father Jacob said, “he points us to a Church that is compassionate and hears the cry of the poor, that is welcoming, that is joyful and merciful, that is close to the lives of the ordinary and especially those who have no voice.”
It is important to remember the long-lasting legacy of Pope Francis and recognize the impact he has on the world, and to pray for the future of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis led the church well for the past 13 years, and he has left big shoes to fill. Over the course of the next few weeks, a Papal Conclave will commence and decide who the next pope will be.
