Remembering 2025’s Losses: Pope Francis

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This is an interesting, and completely unplanned, thing. Both people today that I’ll remember in looking back at 2025 have the name Francis. Can’t make that up! Here’s one of the biggest losses of last year. Pope Francis I’m not Catholic, but it’s a big deal when a pope dies. He’s not only a religious leader, he’s a world leader. And, in many ways, he’s the conscience of the world. (American celebrity religious leaders are “buy my book,” not “pray for peace.”) Elected in 2013 upon the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI, Francis became the first pontiff from the Americas, and the first pope from the Jesuit order of priests. His twelve-year rule was marked by humility and simplicity (he never wore papal robes and didn’t live in the Vatican palace where most other popes resided). Pope Francis’ health had been declining for some time, but he mustered the strength to deliver the traditional Easter Sunday blessing on April 20, 2025. He died the next day. Of course I don’t agree with everything he did, but he provided humble guidance that we all can appreciate. Pope Francis Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, December 17, 1936, Buenos Aires, Argentina Died April 21, 2025, Vatican City (stroke) (age 88) A tribute to the pope from a news outlet: