Pope Francis (1936-2025)

Pope Francis waving with his coat of arms and birth and death dates

Pope Francis, the Catholic Church’s 266th pope, has died at the age of 88. The announcement was made at 9:45 a.m. (3:45 a.m. in Maine) on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” the cardinal announced.

Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 years. Then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, was chosen as pope on March 13, 2013. He was the first pope from the Americas, the first non-European chosen as pope in modern times, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to take the name Francesco or Francis. Pope Francis said he chose the name, thinking of St. Francis of Assisi and his deep concern for the poor.

“For me, he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, a man who loves and protects creation,” the pope said, when explaining why he chose the name.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis never wavered in his commitment to the poor. He encouraged priests and bishops to go among the people, asking them to be shepherds with the “smell of the sheep” (Chrism Mass, March 28, 2013). He visited and spent time with refugees, the homeless, and prisoners, making it a tradition to wash the feet of inmates on Holy Thursday, even doing so in 2024, despite already suffering from health problems.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church. 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,” said Cardinal Farrell, in announcing the pope’s death.

“He reminded us of the importance of mercy and encouraged us to image God as a merciful father. He encouraged us to be mindful of the poor and marginalized. He called us to greater responsibility in our stewardship of 'our common home,’ the earth. He taught and modeled the importance of listening, dialogue, and fraternity. I’ll never forget watching the livestream of him alone in the drizzling rain outside of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome at the height of COVID, praying before the crucifix and interceding for a world that was filled with fear and uncertainty. Our spiritual father has died. The Church mourns,” said Bishop James Ruggieri.

"In his ministry and across his writings, he has continuously called us to deeper faith and to a more generous participation in the boundless compassion of God. He has challenged us to turn away from selfish impulses and towards communion with others and respect for God’s creation," said Archbishop Richard Henning of Boston.

"As the vicar of Christ and successor of Saint Peter, Pope Francis has shepherded the Church with humility, courage, and a tireless devotion to the Gospel. His passing marks a moment of profound loss and reflection for us all," Father Philip Clement, pastor of the Hancock County parishes in Bar Harbor, Bucksport, and Ellsworth, shared with his parishioners.

God's mercy was such a central focus of Pope Francis' papacy that he proclaimed an extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy from December 8, 2015 - November 20, 2016.

Period of Mourning and Prayer

The Catholic Church is now in a period known as “sede vacante,” Latin for “empty seat” or “vacant seat.” Beginning on the day of the pope's funeral, Saturday, April 26, there was a period of nine days of mourning, known as Novemdiales. Several parishes around the diocese celebrated Masses to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, including Masses at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland and the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul in Lewiston, which were celebrated by Bishop James Ruggieri. [Cathedral Mass.] / [Basilica Mass]

Funeral and Burial

A Mass of Christian Burial for Pope Francis was held in St. Peter's Square on Saturday, April 26. An estimated 250,000 people filled the square for the Mass and thousands more lined the route to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where Pope Francis asked to be entombed due to his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. He asked to be buried “in the earth, simple, without particular decoration” and with the inscription only reading "Franciscus," his name in Latin. (Testament of the Holy Father Pope Francis)

Harvest magazine article on Pope Francis's funeral

Prayer for Pope Francis

O God, immortal shepherd of souls,
look on your people's prayers
and grant that your servant Pope Francis
who presided over your Church in charity,
may, with the flock entrusted to his care,
receive from your mercy
the reward of a faithful steward.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever

(Source: Pope's Missions)

Pope Francis’ Early Years

Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936. He was the son of Italian immigrants. His father was an accountant for the railways, while his mother remained at home caring for her five children.

Following high school, the future pope first pursued chemistry, earning a master’s degree. He then chose the priesthood, entering the Seminary of Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires. He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1958 when he was 21 and was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969.

He made final vows with the Jesuits in April 1973 and three months later was appointed provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, a position he held for six years.

While in Argentina, he also held several distinguished teaching positions and served as a seminary rector.

In May 1992, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and five years later was named coadjutor archbishop. The following year, on February 28, 1998, he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

He was also appointed to several administrative positions in the Roman Curia serving on the Congregation of Clergy, Congregation of Divine Worship and Sacraments, and the Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Life, among others. He participated in the conclave in 2005 during which Pope Benedict XVI was elected.

Parishes/Masses

Schools

Giving

Pope Francis (1936-2025)

Period of Mourning and Prayer

Funeral and Burial

Prayer for Pope Francis

Pope Francis’ Early Years

Remembering Pope Francis

Pope Francis' Encyclicals

Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortations

Contact the Diocese

Follow the Diocese