Pope Francis, who was elected as head of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, died Monday morning, April 21, 2025.
Pope Francis was the first Pope to have originated from Latin America, and the last Pope to have come from outside of Europe since 741. Francis was also the first Jesuit to hold the position of Pope.
News broke from the Vatican of Pope Francis’ death a few hours later after his passing, declaring the Pope suffered a cardiocirculatory collapse after being put into a coma from a stroke. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican, verified the cause of death.
“I hereby declare that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above,” Arcangeli said.
Conner DeCoursey, a first-year student at Seattle Pacific University majoring in political science, philosophy and economics (PPE), was one of many at SPU who were left in shock upon hearing the news.
“It was just heartbreaking and so unexpected. I was aware of his health issues and his chronic lung disease. However, he looked so healthy the day before, and not to mention that he had a speech on Easter Day. And the fact that he was able to do that speech on Easter and make it through that whole day just shows how strong and compelling of a Pope he was and how passionate he was about filling his responsibility,” DeCoursey said. “I give so much props to him because we truly don’t understand how much he was going through at that time. The self sacrifice was immeasurable for all Catholics.”
Tiffany Blanco, a junior majoring in music voice performance, found herself to have many feelings about Pope Francis’ passing.
“I think knowing that he won’t be here for the rest of the Jubilee Year is sad. But also, there was almost like a joy in my tears too, because I’m like, Okay, he’s meeting the Lord and this is what he’s been preparing his whole life for,” Blanco said. “It was like a mix. It was like a deep love, sorrow, and joy that he’s finally meeting his Creator.”
Pope Francis’ death follows a string of health issues that the Pope was recently facing. Pope Francis was released from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, less than a month earlier on March 23, after being admitted there on February 14, due to bronchitis, a respiratory illness. The Pope’s condition worsened while at the hospital with doctors noting the Pope had double pneumonia, an illness in a person affecting both lungs.
During and after Pope Francis’ hospitalization, DeCoursey hung a painting of the Pope outside his dorm in the hopes for the Pope’s good health and healing.
“I drew that portrait around a month and a half ago, when I knew he was not doing too well in the hospital. He was going in and out of cardiac arrest [and] lung failure,” DeCoursey said. “He was named in critical condition many times, but every single time he came out of it.”
The Office of Student Life on Wednesday sent out an email to all students announcing Alexander and Adelaide Chapel is open for everyone who needs prayer or to pray. The email also contained prayers for those who may want to pray for the Catholic Church and Pope Francis.
Blaco was surprised by the email and found the message to be very thoughtful from the university.
“I thought that was really kind,” Blanco said. “I thought that was really sweet.”
The funeral for Pope Francis is scheduled to occur on Saturday, April 26, with his body lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday, April 23, until then.
