Pope Francis Leaves for Heavenly Abode at 88, Check His Top 5 Achievements, PM Modi Expresses Grief

Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 88, Vatican officials confirmed. The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo responsible for overseeing Church matters during the interregnum. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” he said, remembering the Pope as a man who lived the Gospel with courage, compassion, and unwavering service to the poor and marginalised.

His death marks the end of a transformative papacy and sets in motion a sacred transition process within the Church. The College of Cardinals will now convene in Rome for the papal conclave, the traditional and highly secretive meeting held inside the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope. As of April 2025, 137 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, surpassing the ideal limit of 120—a discretionary move made by Pope Francis himself.

PM Modi Expresses Grief

Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the… pic.twitter.com/QKod5yTXrB

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Pope, calling him a “beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage.” In a heartfelt post, PM Modi recalled their past meetings and lauded Pope Francis’s tireless service for the poor and his unwavering belief in inclusive development. “His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace,” Modi wrote.

What Happens Next: The Conclave

The papal conclave follows strict tradition and secrecy. All voting cardinals take an oath to protect the sanctity and confidentiality of the process, and any violation results in automatic excommunication. The length of the conclave varies—from a few hours, as in 1503 with Pope Julius II, to nearly three years, as with the election of Pope Gregory X in 1271. The last two conclaves, in 2005 and 2013, ended within two days.

Top 5 Achievements of Pope Francis

First Jesuit and Latin American Pope – Breaking centuries-old tradition, he became the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church.

Champion of Climate Action – His encyclical Laudato Si’ was a bold stance urging world leaders to take environmental protection seriously.

Advocate for the Poor – From refusing luxurious papal apartments to embracing the homeless, he led by example in humility.

Bridging Interfaith Dialogues – Pope Francis strengthened ties with other religious communities, including Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism, advocating peace and coexistence.

Progressive Stances on Social Issues – He opened conversations within the Church on topics like LGBTQ+ inclusion, divorce, and migration, stressing compassion over condemnation.

As the world mourns the loss of one of the most influential spiritual leaders of our time, the Catholic community prepares for the election of his successor—while holding dear the legacy of love, reform, and simplicity that Pope Francis leaves behind.