Death of Pope Francis

As faithful from around the world mourn following Pope Francis’s death at age 88 on Easter Monday morning, Canada’s Catholic educators and theologians are reflecting with gratitude on his life of compassionate, justice-driven faith.

In his death, Jesuits are claiming Pope Francis as one of their own, despite a complicated history with the religious order that formed him.

Days into Pope Francis' papacy in 2013, Massimo Faggioli remembers thinking that the new pope was "going to be the biggest story in the Catholic Church for this decade."

To the chanting of Christ's promise, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live," the mortal remains of Pope Francis were carried into St. Peter's Basilica by 14 pallbearers.

A sombre silence fell over the crowded pews of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in downtown Toronto this afternoon, as Cardinal Francis Leo joined with faithful from across the archdiocese to pray for the soul of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis was a pastor first, "so consistently, so spontaneously and with such deep conviction," that it will remain a gift to the Catholic Church, said Cardinal Michael Czerny.

Pope Francis' final moments were peaceful, and he managed to give one last farewell to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, before slipping into a coma early April 21, Vatican News reported.

How fitting – how Francis! – that the Holy Father’s final day on earth was spent in part meeting with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance to press the case for Christian charity toward migrants and refugees.

Cardinals already present in Rome and those who were able to get to the city after Pope Francis' death April 21 held their first meeting at the Vatican April 22.

In his brief final testament, Pope Francis asked to be buried at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major and said he had offered his suffering for peace in the world.