Pope Francis, whose papacy drew attention to climate change, the plight of refugees, and other social issues, died Monday morning at age 88.
Francis “returned to the house of the Father” at 7:35 a.m. Monday, said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announcing the pope’s death.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized,” Camerlengo said. “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and True God.”
Francis had been recovering from pneumonia in both of his lungs after spending five weeks in the hospital in February and March.
In his final public appearance, Francis blessed crowds from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday. Later that morning, he also met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis was history’s first ever Latin American pope and the first pope from outside of Europe since the 8th century. He served as pope since March 13, 2013.
En route to a 2015 visit to Washington, D.C., Francis briefly spent time in Maryland when his plane landed at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County. There, he was greeted by Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Archbishop William Lori. Marylanders traveled to D.C. to see the pope during Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Francis’s papacy was viewed by many as transformative for the Catholic church, with the pope allowing women to give Communion, read during Mass and perform other tasks that had previously been reserved for men. (Women still cannot become priests under the Catholic Church.)
He spoke out against the United States’ deportation of migrants; described “sin against ecology” and advocated for efforts to protect the environment and address climate change; and condemned both Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel as well as Israel’s violence against Palestine.
Still, for many, the changes to the church fell short.
Although Francis said same-sex couples should have the right to have children, and that parents should not cast out their LGBTQ+ children, he also characterized acting on same-sex attraction as sinful. The Vatican also said the Church could not bless same-sex marriages and unions.
Catholic leaders in Maryland mourned the pontiff’s death while highlighting his contributions to the church community and the world.
“Throughout the years of his pontificate, Pope Francis manifested his love for the poor and marginalized,” said Archbishop of Baltimore William Lori in a statement. “He lifted up the plight of migrants and refugees, victims of injustice, the sick and elderly, and global poverty. He elevated the voice of the Church in places considered ‘remote’ in major population centers. He called for the protection of the environment as God’s gift and as humanity’s common home.”
During one of the occasions in which Lori was able to visit with Francis, he recalled seminarians from the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2019 presented the pope with a Baltimore Ravens jersey that had been customized with Francis’s name. The jersey bore the number of quarterback Lamar Jackson, and was signed by Jackson and Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh. Known to many as an enthusiastic sports fan, Francis was gifted jerseys and other memorabilia from a variety of teams over the years.
“Pope Francis goes home to God just as the Church celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, his victory over sin and death,” Lori said. “In the coming days, I shall offer a Mass for the Holy Father and it is my plan to attend his funeral.”
In his first greeting after being elected in 2013, the pope made a request: pray for him.
“Before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop. Let us make, in silence, this prayer: your prayer over me,” Francis said in 2013.
He concluded his 2013 greeting, saying “Pray for me and until we meet again. We will see each other soon.”
Lori reminded parishioners of that request, which he continued to ask of visitors throughout his papacy.
“Often the Holy Father would ask visitors to pray for him,” Lori said. “I am sure he would want us to pray for him now that he may rest in peace of the Risen Lord.”
The Archdiocese of Baltimore will hold a Mass in remembrance of the pope at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, located at 5200 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21210.
Local parishes expressed their condolences and prayers.
“With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Pope Francis. May God’s infinite love embrace him and grant him eternal peace in His kingdom,” wrote St. Casimir Catholic School in Canton.
“Eternal memory, may God rest them!” wrote St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canton.
“Eternal rest grant unto thee, Pope Francis, and thank you,” wrote Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Essex.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel officials also quoted Francis himself, who said “It is not enough to say we are Christians. We must live the faith, not only with our words, but with our actions.”
Also quoting Francis, St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Little Italy shared, “From my point of view, God is the light that illuminates the darkness, even if it does not dissolve it, and a spark of divine light is within each of us.”
