Pope Francis returned to his father's house

Abstract from an article by Gerard O'Connell, published in the Catholic weekly America Magazine (United States) on April 21, 2025. Freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata project.

When, on the evening of March 13, 2013, the Cardinals elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio as 265th successor of St. Peter, few would have imagined the scope of his pontificate. First Latin American pope and first Jesuit to rise to the papal throne, the 76 -year -old Archbishop of Buenos Aires surprises the world since the first moment choosing a name never adopted before: Francesco.

A choice that announced a papacy full of novelties, which lasted For 13 years and ended On april 21, 2025 with his death.

The news of the death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Vatican Camerlengo: “At 7:35 this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francesco, returned to his father's house.

His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church. "The bells of the churches of Rome played as a sign of mourning.

Suffering from a chronic lung disease and with a part of a lung removed in his youth, Francesco had been hospitalized on February 14, 2025 at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for a respiratory crisis evolved into bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days of hospitalization, the longest period of his pontificate returned to Domus Santa Marta, where he died.

Since his first view from the central balcony of the Basilica of San Pietro, Francesco showed a humble and direct approach, asking the people to pray for him before imparting his blessing. This gesture, never seen before, marked the beginning of a pontificate focused on mercy, simplicity and inclusion.

During his ministry, Francesco promoted a "outgoing" church, attentive to the existential and geographical suburbs. He underlined the importance of Divine Mercy, establishing an extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy and opening the Holy Door to Bangui, in the Central African Republic, rather than in Rome.

His commitment to the poor was constant. he transformed The apostolic alms into an active and present office, entrusting it to Mons. Konrad Krajewski, then appointed cardinal. He installed showers for the homeless under the colonnade of San Pietro and has often shared meals with the needy.

During his pontificate, Pope Francis made significant steps towards a greater welcome of LGBTQ+ people in the Church. The most iconic moment of this opening took place in July 2013, when, during the return flight from Brazil, a journalist asked him information about a priest accused of homosexual behavior. Francesco replied: "Who am I to judge a gay person looking for God sincerely?"

That phrase went around the world and was welcomed as a historical turning point with respect to the language and tone used previously by the ecclesiastical hierarchy.

Over time, Pope Francis reiterated this most inclusive position. In January 2023, in an interview with the Associated Press, he said: "Being homosexuals is not a crime", adding, however, that it is still "a shame", in the sense in which every lack of charity is. However, he clarified that the absence of mercy is also a shame. With these statements, he intended to distinguish between sins and crimes, and encouraging the bishops and civil governments not to criminalize homosexuality.

In addition, in December 2023, Francesco approved a dicastery document for the doctrine of faith that allowed the possibility for priests to bless couples of the same sex, while specifying that this blessing should not be equated to a sacramental marriage.

The decision, contained in the document confidence, was accepted with great favor by many LGBTQ+ Catholic people and their supporters, but also aroused strong criticism by the most conservative sectors of the Church, with some episcopal bishops and conferences that declared that they would not have applied the Vatican directives in their territories.

Pope Francis, although aware of the tensions that these openings could have generated, has always preferred to underline the merciful love of God for each person. He invited the Church not to exclude anyone and to "walk together" even with those who find themselves in situations considered "irregular" by the doctrine.

Francesco also showed attention to transparency and internal reform. He started a revision of the Roman Curia, simplified the canonical procedures, promoted greater responsibility in the government of the Church and worked to make the fight against corruption more effective.

Pope Francis left an indelible imprint in the history of the Church, embodying a model of pastoral journey, empathic close to his people. His inheritance will continue to inspire faithful and not all over the world.

Original text: Pope Francis, trailblazing Jesuit with a heart for the poor, dies at 88