On April 21, 2025, the Roman Catholic Church and the world mourned the loss of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, who passed away at the age of 88.
His death marked the end of a transformative yet polarizing papacy that spanned over a decade, characterized by progressive reforms, global outreach, and persistent controversies, including ties to the World Economic Forum (WEF) and allegations of hidden agendas.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, in Vatican City. His passing followed a prolonged battle with severe health issues, including a near-fatal bout of pneumonia that required a 38-day hospitalization at Gemelli Hospital in Rome earlier that year.
The Vatican announced that Francis succumbed to complications from a microbial infection linked to his bronchitis, which had significantly weakened him. Despite a brief recovery that allowed him to make public appearances, including Easter Sunday events, his frail condition was evident. The Holy See press office noted that his death was abrupt yet anticipated given his declining health.
Details about who was with him at the moment of death are limited, as the Vatican has not released specific information. However, Francis was known to reside at the Domus Santa Marta, a Vatican guesthouse, and was likely surrounded by close aides and medical staff. On the day before his passing, he had a brief but significant meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, which was among his final public engagements.
Pope Francis has been pope since March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. As of today, April 21, 2025, he has been pope for 12 years.
Pope Francis’s Political and World Views
Pope Francis’s papacy was defined by a commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship, and inclusivity, often aligning with progressive ideals. As the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas, he brought a unique perspective shaped by his experiences in Argentina during economic and political turmoil. His political views emphasized care for the poor, migrants, and marginalized communities, often challenging global capitalism and nationalism.
He criticized policies that prioritized profit over people, meeting with corporate leaders like Tim Cook and Brian Moynihan while urging them to address inequality.
Francis was a vocal advocate for climate change action, issuing the encyclical Laudato Si’ to call for environmental responsibility.
His support for migrants was a hallmark of his papacy, exemplified by his 2016 visit to the Moria refugee camp in Lesbos and his condemnation of mass deportation policies, including those of the Trump administration.
In February 2025, he issued a sharp rebuke of U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s use of the Catholic concept of ordo amoris to justify restrictive immigration policies, stating, “The ordo amoris is the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception,” and citing the Good Samaritan to underscore universal compassion.
His progressive stances extended to Church reforms, such as appointing women to high-ranking roles, including Sister Raffaella Petrini as the first female governor of Vatican City, and opening discussions on inclusivity for LGBT+ individuals. However, these moves drew criticism from conservative Catholics who accused him of diluting Church doctrine.
Conspiracy Theories and WEF Ties
Pope Francis’s papacy was not without controversy, particularly regarding alleged ties to the World Economic Forum (WEF), a global organization criticized by some for promoting elitist agendas. Critics, notably Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, accused Francis of being an “enthusiastic collaborator” in the WEF’s “Great Reset,” a framework for post-pandemic economic recovery that Viganò and others claimed was a globalist plot to undermine sovereignty and Christianity.
Viganò, a former Vatican ambassador to the U.S., was excommunicated in 2024 for schism after repeatedly denouncing Francis as heretical and promoting conspiracy theories, including claims that the pope supported a “homosexual agenda” and COVID-19 vaccine deception.
The WEF’s initiatives, such as stakeholder capitalism, have been scrutinized for potentially prioritizing corporate interests over individual freedoms.
Critics argue its influence on global leaders fosters hidden agendas that erode national autonomy. However, Francis’s engagement with the WEF was primarily through dialogues on poverty and climate, aligning with his public priorities, though these ties fueled speculation among traditionalists about his motives.
Other conspiracy theories surrounding Francis included allegations of his involvement in a “deep church” promoting progressive ideologies and claims that he ignored sexual abuse cover-ups, notably raised by Viganò in a 2018 letter accusing Francis of protecting disgraced Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. A 2020 Vatican report largely cleared Francis but faulted Viganò for inaction, intensifying their feud.
The Meeting with JD Vance a Day Before The Popes Passing
On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, Pope Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Domus Santa Marta to exchange Easter greetings, a meeting that followed months of tension over immigration policy.
The Vatican described the encounter as “cordial,” noting discussions on religious freedom, migrants, and global conflicts. Vance, a Catholic convert since 2019, had defended the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans, prompting Francis’s earlier criticism. Despite this, the meeting was reconciliatory, with Francis gifting Vance three large chocolate Easter eggs for his children, a Vatican tie, and rosaries.
Vance expressed gratitude, saying, “I know you have not been feeling great, but it’s good to see you in better health. Thank you for seeing me.” He later recalled Francis’s warmth, noting, “I pray for you every day,” and “God bless you,” as he departed. Francis, weakened by illness, spoke softly but conveyed goodwill, emphasizing peace and compassion, themes reiterated in his final Urbi et Orbi blessing later that day.
Following Francis’s death, tributes poured in from global leaders and Catholics worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump, despite past clashes with Francis over immigration, posted on X, “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him.” Vance, reflecting on their meeting, wrote on X, “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis.
My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Francis “a great man, a great shepherd,” while Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who once labeled Francis “the devil’s representative,” mourned him as a compatriot. Jorge Garcia Cuerva, Buenos Aires’s archbishop, described him as “the pope of the poor, the pope of the marginalized.”
Who Does The Public Want as the Next Pope?
The selection of the next pope, to be determined by a conclave of cardinals within 15–20 days, has sparked widespread speculation.
Francis appointed nearly 80% of the cardinal electors, increasing the likelihood of a successor who shares his progressive vision.
Media and online discussions highlight several candidates:
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Known for his pastoral approach and alignment with Francis’s focus on the poor, Tagle is a leading contender favored by progressives for his global appeal.
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): The Vatican Secretary of State, Parolin is seen as a moderate with diplomatic experience, appealing to those seeking continuity with less polarization.
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy): A community-focused prelate, Zuppi is backed by liberals for his work on peace and inclusion.
Online sentiment on X reflects a divide, with progressive Catholics hoping for a “Francis 2.0” to continue reforms, while conservatives advocate for a traditionalist like Cardinal Raymond Burke to restore doctrinal rigor.
Some posts express skepticism, citing fears of external political influence, particularly from the U.S. following Francis’s clash with Vance in the past.
Pope Francis’s legacy is of compassion and contention. He canonized figures like the Martyrs of Otranto and emphasized the Church’s role as a “field hospital” for the wounded.
His reforms, including curbing clerical careerism and addressing clergy abuse (with mixed success), reshaped the Church’s global image. His outreach to non-Catholics and critiques of consumerism earned him admiration but also alienated traditionalists, who saw him as overly liberal.
His passing, just hours after blessing crowds in St. Peter’s Square and meeting Vance, underscored his resilience.
Mourners gathered in Vatican City, with one Roman pilgrim, Emanuela Tinari, saying, “He was a pope who brought so many people closer to the church.” As the Church prepares for a conclave, Francis’s vision of a more inclusive, merciful institution will shape the debate over his successor, even as his WEF ties and progressive policies remain points of contention.
Pope Francis leaves behind a complex legacy as a champion of the marginalized and a lightning rod for criticism. His death closes a chapter, but the questions he raised about faith, justice, and global responsibility will resonate for years to come.
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