Breaking news from Al Jazeera: Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has pᴀssed away. Despite facing serious lung infections and using a wheelchair in his final years, Pope Francis remained dedicated to his mission until the very end. From surprise hospitalizations to heartfelt reflections by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, this is the moving story of the pope’s last years and the church’s mourning.

The world was deeply shaken on April 21, 2025, when news broke that Pope Francis had died. More than a religious figure, he was a global icon known for his humility, compᴀssion, and unwavering concern for the poor and marginalized. As the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas in over a millennium, Francis broke many traditions, yet endeared himself to millions with his austere lifestyle and efforts to make the church more welcoming.

Tributes poured in worldwide, from presidents to everyday churchgoers. Social media overflowed with messages honoring his legacy, while churches held special mᴀsses and flags flew at half-mast. Even non-Christian leaders praised him as a peacemaker and bridgebuilder. Inside the Vatican, the atmosphere was solemn. Among the many who mourned him was Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a close confidant and respected voice within the church.

Tagle, known for his warmth and deep faith, had worked closely with Pope Francis for years. His silence in the days following the pope’s death heightened expectations. When he finally spoke, his words were heartfelt and profound—a tribute not just to the man but a call to continue his vision of mercy, unity, and social justice.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis came from humble beginnings. The son of Italian immigrants who fled fascist Italy, he grew up in a working-class neighborhood and initially trained as a chemical technician. A transformative moment at a church confession led him to join the Jesuits in 1958. Despite early doubts, he was ordained in 1969 and rose through the church ranks with a reputation for humility and dedication to the poor.

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he was known as the “slum bishop” for his work in impoverished neighborhoods. Elevated to cardinal in 2001, he maintained a simple lifestyle—riding public buses, living modestly, and preparing his own meals. He narrowly missed becoming pope in 2005 but was elected in 2013, ushering in a papacy marked by reform and outreach.

Pope Francis’s health, however, declined over the years. A lung infection in youth had left lasting effects, and by the 2020s, he struggled with respiratory illnesses, knee pain, and mobility issues, often appearing in a wheelchair. Despite rumors of resignation, he persisted, though hospitalizations became more frequent. In early 2025, a severe lung infection and kidney failure led to critical care, but he showed remarkable resilience, returning to public appearances before his pᴀssing.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, born in the Philippines in 1957, emerged as a leading figure in the church and a close ally of Pope Francis. Known affectionately as “Asian Francis,” Tagle shares the late pope’s pastoral approach, emphasizing compᴀssion, social justice, and inclusivity. Elevated to cardinal in 2012 and appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 2019, he is widely regarded as a potential successor.

Tagle’s relationship with Pope Francis was marked by mutual respect and shared vision. Their collaboration symbolized a shift toward a more universal, humble church. Tagle’s recent eulogy honored Francis’s legacy and urged the faithful to carry forward his mission of love and mercy.

With the papal seat now vacant—a period known as “sede vacante”—the Vatican enters a time of transition. The College of Cardinals will convene in a conclave to elect the next pope, a process steeped in tradition and secrecy. Tagle is among the frontrunners, viewed by many as a bridge between conservative and progressive factions within the church.

As the Catholic world mourns, hopes rest on leaders like Tagle to guide the church through challenges ahead. Pope Francis’s final years, marked by physical suffering yet spiritual strength, inspired many—especially those facing disability and hardship—to find dignity and faith in adversity.

In his moving tribute, Cardinal Tagle described Pope Francis as a shepherd who bore his cross with courage and love. The pope’s pᴀssing closes a historic chapter, but his vision for a more compᴀssionate, inclusive church lives on through those who carry his torch.

This moment of reflection and hope resonates deeply across the global Catholic community as it prepares for a new era without its beloved pope.