by HFC Staff
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, sadly passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, at age 88.
The Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced “with deep sorrow” that the pope died at 7:35am local time. The Vatican said the pope died following a stroke and irreversible heart failure.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis was hospitalized due to a severe health crisis but recovered a few weeks later. During Holy Week the pope was seen in public multiple times, with an appearance at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome for Easter Sunday, April 20, despite his poor health.
Shocked and grieving by the sudden news of the Pope’s passing, communities around the world honor Francis’ 12-year legacy as the Pope.
“Pope Francis was a beacon of compassion, humility, and service,” said Hawaii Governor Josh Green. “His unwavering commitment to the marginalized and his call for global solidarity have left an indelible mark on the world. Hawai‘i joins the global community in mourning his passing and honoring his profound legacy.”
President Donald Trump posted a message on social media platform Truth Social: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
Philippine President Bongbong Marcos described Francis as “the best pope in my lifetime.”
“A man of profound faith and humility, Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten. By example, Pope Francis taught us that to be a good Christian is to extend kindness and care to one another. His humility brought many back to the fold of the Church,” said Marcos in a Facebook post.
Filipinos in Hawaii share their deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis. To Filipinos, Francis is affectionately known as “Lolo Kiko.” Lolo means Grandpa while Kiko is a Filipino nickname for Francis.
For Teresita Bernales, Kailua, Lolo Kiko’s love and solidarity with Filipinos were evident.
“Lolo Kiko showed profound love and solidarity with Filipinos, notably during his 2015 visit when he comforted survivors of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) and urged the nation to reject social structures that perpetuate poverty, ignorance, and corruption. His genuine presence in the Philippines, braving rain during Mass and meeting with the poor and marginalized, left an indelible mark of hope and compassion,” she told Hawaii Filipino Chronicle.
“Pope Francis’ dedication to the Filipino people and his call for mercy and justice continue to inspire millions. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of love and service live on in the hearts of Filipinos and the world.”
Raymund Liongson, Ewa Beach, shared that the pope is a symbol of what a Christian life should be.
“Pope Francis had demonstrated what a Christian life is — a life of humility, of compassion. and of kindness. He embraced the virtues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Time and again, he preached love for the marginalized, the poor, and the immigrants. He reached out to the exploited and oppressed and became a voice for justice. He lived a life cloaked by the spirituality of truth rather than the glitter of wealth. He was an example of a Christian who lived what he preached. He was a paragon of a good and decent man who showed that the papacy is not a position of material entitlement but an imposition of a great responsibility,” Liongson said.
For Dory Villafuerte, Makakilo, the pope truly embodied Saint Francis of Assisi.
“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Pope Francis. He will be remembered as a man of compassion, down-to-earth, and cares for the downtrodden. He embodied the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi as his namesake for his dedication to the poor, openness to interreligious dialogue, and peace,” she said.
California resident Socorro Maniquis said Pope Francis was his favorite.
“Pope Francis is my favorite pope. For one thing, he is a chemist like me. I like that he is humble and inclusive. He wants us to think of the poor, the immigrants, and the people marginalized in society. May he rest in peace,” said Maniquis.
From Father Jorge to Pope Francis
Bergoglio was born and raised in Argentina by Italian immigrant parents. He was the first pope from the Americas and the Western Hemisphere. He is also the first Jesuit pope.
As a young man, Bergoglio used to be a bouncer and a janitor. He then graduated with a degree in chemical technician’s diploma and spent years working in the Hickethier-Bachmann Laboratory.
In 1960s, he officially became a Jesuit and obtained a licentiate in philosophy. Bergoglio taught literature and psychology at a high school and college level in Argentina.
During his priesthood journey, Bergoglio championed theological studies and spent several years studying at several institutes in Buenos Aires, Ireland, and Germany.
He became a bishop in 1992, then an archbishop in 1997. Pope John Paul II made Bergoglio a cardinal in 2001. When he became pope in 2013, Bergoglio chose the papal name Francis in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, who cares for the wellbeing of the poor.
During his papacy, Pope Francis called for the world to address global warming, poverty reduction, refugee-migrant and women’s rights. He was critical of the increasing global income inequality and warned about consumerism.
Under his leadership, Pope Francis addressed multiple issues in the Church that champion inclusivity and justice. He held a summit to address clerical sexual abuse. He opened the Catholic discussion body to involve lay members and women. He called for the Church to pay greater attention to the plight of the poor and environmental degradation.
He has repeatedly called for peace between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, and other war-torn nations in the world.
Two days before his death, Pope Francis made his final call to Father Gabriel Romanelli, the paster of Holy Family Church in Gaza. For over 19 months, the pope was in contact with Romanelli to check up on Gaza.
“He told us he was praying for us, blessed us, and thanked us for our prayers on his behalf,” Romanelli told Vatican News, summarizing their last call.
“He was concerned about how we were doing, whether we had eaten, and about the children. Pope Francis is a pastor who loves and follows this small community of ours. He prays and works for peace.”
Mourning Pope Francis
Pope Francis’ body laid in state in St. Peter’s Basilica where the general public paid their final respects to the late pope. His body remained in the basilica until his funeral and burial on Saturday, April 26.
Alongside thousands of worshippers, several world leaders attended the funeral such as President Trump, former president Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Philippine President Bongbong Marcos, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Pope Francis was laid to rest in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.
In the Philippines, churches held vigils to honor the life of beloved Lolo Kiko. Around the world, worshippers prayed and held masses to remember the pope.
Selection of the new pope
As the world grieves the passing of Pope Francis, camerlengo Cardinal Farrell will oversee the Vatican until a new pope is selected. He is in charge of organizing the conclave and the voting ceremony, during which the College of Cardinals will appoint a new pope.
The papal conclave will be held in Rome and it will start on May 7.
During the voting period, the cardinals are cut off from the outside world, including access to their phones, newspapers, and the internet. They are housed in a five-story guesthouse within the Vatican complex. The election is held inside the Sistine Chapel.
A new Pope is selected when a candidate has the majority of votes. This may take several rounds.
Each voting round is announced to the outside world through the Sistine Chapel’s chimney when ballot papers are burned. Black smoke means no one got the majority of the votes. White smoke means a new pope has been chosen.
Several cardinals are currently eyed as the next possible pope. Some of the contenders are:
– Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who has experience in Middle East affairs
– Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was made secretary of state by Pope Francis
– Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, who is one of the nine members of the Council of Cardinals
– Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who accompanied Pope Francis to his trips to Asia and shares similar values in valuing the poor and those in need
– Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who was appointed to the key role of envoy for Ukraine matters
– Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, who is considered an astute diplomat for building connections with Catholics and other religious groups in Latin America and Africa
As the world awaits the start of the conclav, it is clear that believers agree that Pope Francis’s legacy will continue to whoever will be named pope and leader of the Church.
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