On April 21, 2025, the Christian world lost one of its most compassionate spiritual leaders—Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his death followed a prolonged respiratory illness that culminated in a stroke and irreversible heart failure. Revered for his humble leadership and efforts to modernize aspects of the papacy, Pope Francis left behind a legacy rooted in compassion, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to social justice.

Five days later, on April 26, the Vatican held a solemn yet grand public funeral for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. True to his wishes, however, he was not laid to rest in the Vatican’s traditional papal burial site. Instead, he was interred in a modest tomb inside the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore—near an icon of the Madonna that held deep personal significance for him. Mourners gathered quietly outside the basilica as the procession passed, paying tribute to a man who had become a symbol of unity, humility, and moral courage.