Overview

• Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, as announced by the Vatican, marking the end of his transformative 12-year papacy.
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised Francis's dedication to peace, social justice, and support for vulnerable communities in a public statement of condolence.
• Cultural figures such as Antonio Banderas and Cristina Castaño shared personal tributes, with Castaño recalling a life-changing meeting with Francis in 2024.
• The Cathedral of Granada will hold a memorial Mass on April 24, led by Archbishop Gil Tamayo, while the Cathedral of Toledo will host a diocesan funeral Mass on April 28, presided over by Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves.
• María Luisa Berzosa, a Spanish Jesuit sister and close collaborator of Francis, highlighted his inclusive reforms and commitment to marginalized groups as defining aspects of his papacy.