Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien, former archbishop of Baltimore and retired grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher based at the Vatican, remembered Pope Francis as a leader whose years in office had a major impact.
Remembering Pope Francis
Pope Francis died April 21, 2025. See below for full coverage from the Catholic Review, Catholic News Service and OSV News.
Maryland Catholic Conference leader witnesses reflective, reverent mood settle over Rome
Pilgrims and tourists who had just one day earlier flocked to St. Peter’s Square awoke to the news that Pope Francis, who had greeted them there on Easter Sunday, had died. Pope Francis died at at 88, a few weeks after returning to his apartment at the Vatican following a five-week hospitalization for pneumonia.
‘Pope of the people’: Catholic leaders recall Pope Francis as champion of mercy, love
Calling Pope Francis “a modern-day prophet,” Kerry Alys Robinson said the late pope “read the signs of the times and awakened us to meaningful change in our behavior — within the Church and within the world.”
In final testament, pope asks for simple burial, prayed for peace
In his brief final testament, Pope Francis asked to be buried at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major and said he had offered his suffering for peace in the world.
Analysis: What Pope Francis brought to the church, and what he leaves behind
Pope Francis, history’s first pope from the global south and a maverick who often delighted the world, died April 21 after fighting pulmonary disease for the last few months.
Crowds gather to pray the rosary for repose of pope’s soul
Just as hundreds of people had gathered at the Vatican each night to recite the rosary when Pope Francis was hospitalized, throngs returned to recite the Marian prayer for the repose of his soul after his death.
Pope died of stroke, heart failure, coma, Vatican says
Pope Francis died April 21 after suffering a stroke and heart attack, said the director of Vatican City State’s department of health services. The pope had also gone into a coma.
Pastor mundial: De palabra y obra, el Papa predicó la misericordia y la solidaridad
El cardenal estadounidense Kevin J. Farrell, camarlengo de la Santa Iglesia Romana, anunció que el Papa Francisco había fallecido a las 7:35 de la mañana.
Precise rules govern what happens in period between popes
Centuries of experience dealing with the death, or occasional resignation, of a pope has left the Catholic Church with thorough instructions detailing who has responsibility for planning the funeral, preparing for the election of a new pope and taking care of essential business in the meantime.
Pope Francis’ pontificate: A timeline
Here is a timeline of some significant events in Pope Francis’ 12-year pontificate:
White House, U.S. political leaders react to death of Pope Francis
President Donald Trump, officials in his administration and other U.S. political leaders issued statements expressing condolences for Pope Francis after the pontiff’s death April 21 at age 88.
Archbishop Lori encourages Catholics to attend April 21 Mass in memory of Pope Francis
A special Mass remembering the late pontiff will be held April 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. Pope Francis died earlier that day at the age of 88.