Pope Francis’s last message to the world: A word on peace, freedom and religion

Pope Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church and a figure who reshaped its voice on the world stage, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday. His death comes just a day after he delivered what would become his final public message – an Easter address that now reads like a farewell to the world.

Despite a long battle with pneumonia earlier this year, Pope Francis appeared unexpectedly robust during Easter Sunday celebrations, smiling and waving to thousands from the popemobile in St. Peter’s Square. His death early Monday stunned millions.

The pontiff’s last message, read aloud on Easter Sunday from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where Catholics and Orthodox Christians celebrated the resurrection together this year, was a powerful appeal for global peace and human dignity.

“There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for the views of others,” he said. “Nor is peace possible without true disarmament.”

He called specifically for an end to the war in Ukraine, urging all parties to seek a just and lasting peace. He also expressed deep concern for Myanmar, reeling from both conflict and a devastating earthquake, and offered prayers for African nations plagued by violence, especially the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Pope Francis’s message, filled with compassion and urgency, now resonates as a closing testament to a papacy defined by its embrace of the marginalised and its outspoken calls for peace, justice, and interfaith dialogue.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell confirmed the Pope’s death on Vatican television, saying, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, returned to the house of the Father.” The Vatican said his body would be placed in a casket Monday evening as part of the traditional rites leading up to his funeral. A date for the funeral has yet to be announced.

Pope Francis had made his first prolonged public appearance in weeks on Easter Sunday, following a 38-day hospital stay that ended in March. During the ceremony, an aide read the Easter address while the Pope watched from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

His passing has drawn condolences and tributes from around the world. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called him “a great man, a great shepherd.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised his humility and devotion to the vulnerable. East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta said Pope Francis “leaves behind a profound legacy of humanity, of justice, of human fraternity.”

US Vice-President JD Vance, who met the Pope briefly on Sunday, said, “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.”

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis was elected Pope on March 13, 2013. His papacy was marked by efforts to modernise and humanise the Church-reforming Vatican finances, appointing more women to senior roles, and speaking candidly about controversial issues. He lived simply, choosing a modest guesthouse over the traditional papal apartments, and often emphasised the Church’s duty to serve the poor and displaced.

Yet his tenure was not without strife. He faced pushback from conservative factions, criticism over his handling of clerical abuse scandals, and challenges from within the Church bureaucracy. He walked a tightrope between progressives who demanded faster reform and traditionalists who feared the erosion of doctrine.

Still, he emerged as a global moral voice, known for his empathy, humility, and unyielding focus on peace. With nearly 80% of voting cardinals appointed by him, Pope Francis has likely shaped the Church’s direction well beyond his lifetime.