Pope Francis, the widely admired spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday. At the time, he was 88 years old and had recently suffered a stroke. He died barely a day after he had shown the first signs of rehabilitation by appearing in public at St. Peter’s Square on 27 March. There, he gave an Easter address to thousands of worshipers observing the holy day. This explains why tributes to the pontiff’s passing have poured in from leaders around the world. The Spanish Royal Family expressed their profound respect for his life and work as well.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936. In 2013, he was elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He became known for his emphasis on love of neighbor, fraternity, and social friendship, which resonated with many across the globe. His progressive approach and commitment to addressing social issues earned him respect far beyond ecclesiastical circles.
The Spanish Royal Family enjoys particularly close relations with the Holy See, deriving from their personal affinities with Pope Francis. His distant kin, their majesties King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, had a chance to meet with him in Vatican City in 2014. Their exchange underscored the royal couple’s appreciation for his courageous leadership and commitment to his faith. In the wake of his death, King Felipe honored the late pope, saying,
“Our most heartfelt condolences to the figure and personality of His Holiness, Pope Francis, who transcends the ecclesiastical dimension; and our total admiration and respect for his total dedication to the evangelical task until the last breath of his life.” – King Felipe
Funeral arrangements for Pope Francis will take place at the Vatican. Many other world leaders and royals are planning to attend, as they pay their final respects. Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia will be in attendance. Their presence serves to emphasize the deep historical ties between the Spanish monarchy and the head of the Catholic Church.
As word of his passing circulated, tributes and expressions of shock came flooding in from across the world. So far, over 292,000 individuals have written in praising Pope Francis. They’re aware that his teachings and actions have deeply influenced the course of millions of lives.
