Pope Francis is greeted by hundreds in Vatican City (Photo by Ashwin Vaswani on Unsplash)
Pope Francis, the first Pope from the Americas and a transformative figure who sought to make the Roman Catholic Church more inclusive and responsive to modern issues, died early Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He passed away just one day after making his final public appearance on Easter Sunday and delivering a message that called for peace in Gaza and other conflict zones across the world.
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, announced that he will preside over a memorial Mass for the late pontiff at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St. The public is invited to attend, and the service will also be livestreamed at this link.
The death of Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, ends a more than decade-long papacy marked by bold social commentary, reform efforts, and resistance from within the church. Known as “the people’s pope,” he remained committed to themes of compassion, humility, and justice even as he battled poor health in recent years.
The Vatican News reported the cause of Pope Francis’ death has been identified as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification, and the Holy See Press Office released the report Monday evening.
In a statement, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson praised Pope Francis as “a faith leader who gave voice to the voiceless,” recognizing his lifelong advocacy for the poor, prisoners, migrants, and the marginalized.
“Guided by his deep faith in God and humanity, Pope Francis advocated for a world without war,” Johnson said. “His legacy will live on in the hearts of the millions of people throughout the world who took comfort in his message.”
Illinois leaders and advocacy organizations also reflected on his papacy, noting his focus on pressing global issues such as climate change and economic inequality. In a statement released Monday by Catholics for Choice, staff acknowledged the complex legacy of Pope Francis and the impact of his progressive stance on many modern challenges.
“It is undeniable that Pope Francis brought the church forward on a host of critical issues,” the statement read. “He eased tensions with Catholic sisters in the United States and paved the way for greater involvement of women in the church, especially in his Synod on Synodality.”
The statement also acknowledged criticism of the pope’s handling of issues related to gender and sexuality, including his remarks on the transgender community and abortion.
“For so many of us, Pope Francis embodied a church that is humble and capable of change,” the group said. “Pope Francis’ legacy is complicated, but we remain grateful for all that he taught and the example he set for the world. He was undoubtedly an agent of peace.”
Cardinal Cupich, who was personally appointed by Pope Francis and shares much of the pope’s pastoral vision, offered a heartfelt statement following the Vatican’s announcement.
“In this moment of profound loss for me personally and for the Church, I take this moment to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the gift of his papacy and to pray for the repose of his soul,” Cupich said. “As we mourn his passing, I ask that God comfort us, but also strengthen us to remain steadfast in carrying on the work of restoring our Church’s place in the world as a source of hope and an advocate for those in need.”
Internationally, world leaders began responding to the news of Pope Francis’ death with tributes reflecting his global influence as a spiritual leader and diplomat. As the first Jesuit pope and the first non-European pontiff in over a millennium, Pope Francis’ leadership marked a dramatic shift in tone for the Catholic Church, one that will be carefully evaluated as the College of Cardinals prepares to select his successor in the days ahead.
Funeral arrangements are pending in Rome, where millions are expected to pay tribute to the late pope. For Chicago-area Catholics and admirers of Pope Francis’ legacy, Wednesday’s memorial Mass offers a solemn opportunity to honor his life and teachings.