Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88.
His death occurred at his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City, following complications from a stroke and irreversible heart failure. This came after a prolonged battle with double pneumonia, which had led to a five-week hospitalisation earlier in the year.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis made history in 2013 by becoming the first Latin American and Jesuit pope. His papacy was marked by a commitment to humility, social justice, and outreach to marginalized communities. He was known for his progressive stances, including welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics and reforming Vatican bureaucracy and finances.
Pope Francis’s relationship with Greece was a significant aspect of his efforts to bridge divides within Christianity. In December 2021, he visited Greece with the aim of strengthening ties between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches. This visit was part of a broader mission to heal the centuries-old schism between Eastern and Western Christianity.
During his time in Athens, Pope Francis met with Orthodox leaders and emphasized the importance of unity and mutual respect. He also addressed the issue of migration, urging European nations to show compassion towards refugees and criticising the rise of nationalist sentiments that hinder collective action.
The Pope’s visit was well-received by both Catholic and Orthodox communities in Greece. Catholics in the predominantly Orthodox country expressed hope that his presence would lead to improved ecumenical relations and greater understanding between the two branches of Christianity.
Global leaders have paid tribute to Pope Francis’s legacy. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. in a post on social media platform X, said Greece joins “Catholic Christians around the world in their grief for the loss of the religious leader of the Roman Catholic Church.” He called Francis “a moral leader who believed in peace, solidarity and friendship.”
Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called the pope “a spiritual leader who chose to be more than what his titles offered.” In a statement, Tsipras said Francis “became the voice of the voiceless – the poor and the persecuted,” and praised him for promoting “peace, solidarity and interfaith dialogue, even when it meant opposing powerful interests.”
Figures such as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have lauded his compassion, advocacy for the marginalised, and commitment to social justice. His efforts to promote inclusivity, address global issues like poverty and climate change, and foster unity among different faiths have left an indelible mark on the world.
In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, making him the first pope to be interred outside the Vatican since Pope Leo XIII in 1903. His funeral is expected to take place within six days of his death, followed by a conclave to elect his successor.
Pope Francis’s passing marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church, characterised by a focus on humility, inclusivity, and a relentless pursuit of unity among Christians worldwide.
