A Saint Among Us Returns to Heaven: The Passing of Pope Francis With hearts heavy with sorrow yet uplifted in faith, we bid farewell to one of the greatest souls to have graced this earth—His Holiness, Pope Francis. Like a flickering candle whose light touched the darkest corners of human suffering, he has returned to his Maker, leaving behind a world forever changed by his boundless compassion, humility, and love.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Argentina, he was a shepherd of the people long before he ascended the Throne of St. Peter. From the streets of Buenos Aires to the grand halls of the Vatican, he walked as Jesus walked—with the poor, the broken, and the forgotten. As the 266th Pope of the Holy Church, he redefined the very essence of spiritual leadership, bringing warmth to the rigid, tenderness to the wounded, and hope to the forsaken.
Pope Francis was more than a pontiff—he was the living embodiment of Christ’s mercy. He opened the doors of the Church to all, regardless of past sins or broken paths. His heart bled for the oppressed, his voice thundered for justice, and his arms stretched wide for the homeless, the refugees, the lonely, and the lost.
Through “Laudato Si’”, he reminded us that we are mere stewards of God’s creation, calling us to protect our fragile Earth as a sacred duty. He carried the burdens of humanity upon his frail shoulders, and in doing so, he became one with Christ, crucified in spirit yet resurrected in love.
In his final days, though his body weakened, his soul burned ever brighter. Even as illness crept upon him, he remained unwavering—his prayers rising like incense, his faith unshaken, his gaze fixed upon eternity. And now, as heaven’s gates open to welcome him, angels rejoice, and the saints embrace their own.
We mourn him not as one lost, but as one glorified. God has called back His most faithful servant, for his mission on earth is fulfilled. The Pope of the People, the Holy Father of the poor, and the most Christlike shepherd of our times now rests in the arms of the Divine.
Yet, in our tears, we shall find strength. His legacy is not in stone but in our hearts, in every act of kindness, in every embrace of the forsaken, and in every whisper of love.
Rest in peace, Holy Father. Your love lingers, your light shines on, and your spirit shall guide us forever.
Dr. K.M. George
Secretary General, Global Millets Foundation
Director, Sustainable Development Forum-21st April 2025