The world mourns the death of a shepherd, a world leader, a bridge-builder, a humble man who revolutionized the Church, Pope Francis. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis passed away at the age of 88 on Monday, April 21, 2025. And, while history will remember him as a great man and the first Latin American and Jesuit Pope, many of us will remember him as something far simpler: our pope.
There is something surreal about grieving someone you’ve never met, yet you somehow feel connected to. There was power in Pope Francis. He made the Church feel closer to home. His papacy was not built on fame and grandeur, but on simplicity, humility and compassion. Pope Francis taught that unwavering, unconditional love should be at the heart of everything we do. Francis was a man of peace, he worked tirelessly to unite countries and prevent war. But most importantly, he forgave, he always forgave.
Francis dared—he dared to step out into the world to meet the forgotten, the broken, and the wounded. He was a reminder that faith isn’t always loud. That leadership is about listening. That bravery is about holding someone else’s hand in silence. And that holiness is about unity. I never got the chance to shake his hand or to look into his eyes, but I’ve felt his presence in every call to be kinder and to stand up for the voiceless. Pope Francis was an inspiration and a push to continue helping others.
Pope Francis spoke my language, both spiritually and literally. As an Argentinian, there was great pride in having a person from my own country guide the Catholic Church. There was great comfort in seeing someone lead with such tenderness and conviction. As a kid I always heard about el Papa Francisco, and I admired him. I knew how important he was for the world and I saw the impact he had on others. In his words, I heard not just a pope, but a mentor, a grandfather, a friend.
His final years were marked by physical fragility, but his spirit was always strong. Even as he aged and got sick, he carried the cross of leadership with courage and grace. This resilience is what made Pope Francis so special. Now, his voice may be silenced, but his legacy will echo for generations.
I wish I had met him, I wish I could have thanked him. But in the end maybe, just maybe, his incredible gift was making us all feel like we had met him. Pope Francis, our pope, you changed the world. You changed us.
Descansa en paz.
Joaquín Martinelli is currently a senior at Immaculata-LaSalle High School in Miami, FL. He is involved in numerous clubs and activities including the Debate Team, Salesian Hearts Club, National Honor Society and National English Honor Society. He has participated in campus retreats and attended the Salesian Leadership Retreat in Stony Point, NY.