The death of Pope Francis, which occurred on April 21, 2025, at 7:35 a.m. at Casa Santa Marta, deeply resonated across the globe. Leading international newspapers quickly updated their homepages with breaking news, analyses, and tributes, each highlighting unique aspects of Jorge Mario Bergoglio‘s pontificate, the first pope to come from Latin America.
In Argentina, Clarin headlined: “Pope Francis, the Argentine who transformed the Church,” expressing national pride for the first Latin American pope. The newspaper recalled his Jesuit upbringing, commitment to the poor, and strong desire to reform the Catholic Church in a more pastoral and people-centered direction. It was an emotional tribute infused with national affection, evoking his Buenos Aires roots, his love for tango and mate, and his humble pastoral style.
In Spain, El País described him as a “social agitator,” highlighting his fights for inclusion, the environment, and against abuse within the Church. The newspaper revisited key moments of his papacy: from the climate-focused encyclical Laudato si’ to the Synod on the Amazon, to his progressive positions on sensitive issues like homosexuality, migrant hospitality, and the need for a more synodal Church. It offered a narrative blending spirituality and civic activism, giving a voice to parts of Catholicism that had long felt marginalized.
In the United Kingdom, The Times chose solemn language: “a true disciple of the Lord Jesus.” It portrayed Francis as a revolutionary pope at the heart of tradition, one who reached out to the world’s margins and those alienated from faith. The article emphasized the contrast between his inclusive approach and criticism from the Church’s most conservative sectors, offering a reflection on the complex balance between modernity and doctrine.
The French daily Le Monde emphasized the historic weight of his election, headlining: “Pope Francis Dies, the First Non-European Pontiff in Over a Thousand Years,” underlining his geopolitical impact on the Vatican and his ability to restore moral authority to the Church during times of global crisis. The article also examined his stances on international conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, where Francis often acted as a mediator.
In the United States, The New York Times provided one of the most detailed and thoughtful reflections: “He defended the marginalized and clashed with traditionalists.” This phrase perfectly encapsulated a pontificate torn between the urgency for reform and the resistance of the Roman Curia. The article recalled his numerous travels, environmental encyclicals, the historic visit to Cuba, and his willingness to engage in dialogue with leaders of all religions. The pope was portrayed as a bridge-builder, committed to peace diplomacy and the protection of the most vulnerable.
Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a historic and respected daily, remembered Pope Francis as a “gentle yet determined reformer,” one who opened spaces of dialogue between faith and contemporary society, between the Church and the secular world. The piece dedicated significant space to his relationship with Germany, referencing his conversations with German bishops often at the forefront of debates on female ordination and same-sex union blessings. It also praised his role in the migration crisis, interreligious dialogue, and his modernizing of Church language.
In Russia, the news was swiftly disseminated by major outlets, accompanied by condolences from President Vladimir Putin, who described Francis as “an exceptional person” and praised his approach to dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church. His image was especially seen as a bridge between different religious cultures in a world marked by geopolitical tensions. Russian media notably recalled his historic 2016 meeting with Patriarch Kirill in Havana, the first of its kind since the Great Schism.
In China, however, coverage was far more reserved. State media, as is typical with religious topics, relegated the news to short notes, often buried deep in official websites. This reflected Beijing’s cautious stance toward Vatican-related issues, given the still-ambiguous and complex nature of their diplomatic relationship, underscored by the provisional agreement on bishop appointments. Nonetheless, on Chinese social platforms, messages of mourning were shared and some Catholic intellectuals expressed public gratitude for Francis’s openness toward the East.
The death of Pope Francis became global news, told in diverse tones yet with unanimous recognition of the spiritual, social, and geopolitical significance of his pontificate. His leadership left a deep imprint on the hearts of millions of faithful and on the headlines of the world’s leading media. His words and gestures will continue to inspire future generations, representing a living legacy within the Church’s history and the broader world.
#PopeFrancis #Bergoglio #Vatican #Clarin #ElPais #LeMonde #TheTimes #FAZ #NewYorkTimes #CatholicChurch #PopeDead
Instagram: @clarincom @elpais @thetimes @lemondefr @nytimes @faznet @vaticannews
Facebook: @clarincom @elpais @thetimes @lemonde.fr @nytimes @faz.net @vaticannews