Remembering Pope Francis: A Legacy of Love Amid Ongoing Racial Justice in the Catholic Church

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a fierce advocate for the marginalized, passed away at 88 on Monday, announced Cardinal Kevin Farrell from the Domus Santa Marta. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome returned to the home of the Father," Farrell stated. Despite battling pneumonia since mid-February, he appeared on Easter Sunday. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he rose through the ranks, elected in 2013. His papacy, marked by reform, faced U.S. resistance despite his calls for compassion and social justice. As the Church pivots, his legacy remains a topic of reflection.