Grammy-award winning reggae artist Shaggy pays tribute to Pope Francis early this morning, simply writing, “Walk good, Pope Francis”—a Caribbean sendoff for a leader who preached compassion, inclusion, and mercy across the globe.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, Vatican officials confirmed. The news was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who declared, “The Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father… We commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God.”
The 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Francis’ 12-year papacy was marked by bold gestures, modern communication, and a deep concern for the world’s most vulnerable. He was the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to take the name “Francis” after St. Francis of Assisi, a patron of the poor and protector of nature—values that defined his tenure.
A Pope for the People
From his refusal to live in the Vatican palace to his critiques of consumerism, climate destruction, and rigid orthodoxy, Pope Francis redefined papal leadership for the 21st century. He used platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to reach tens of millions, and in 2025, released a bestselling memoir titled Hope, now published in over 80 countries.
Though he upheld traditional teachings on marriage and abortion, Francis signaled openness in tone, calling for “pastoral charity” toward LGBTQ Catholics, elevating lay voices in church leadership, and revising the Church’s catechism to reject the death penalty entirely in 2018.
He was also a fierce advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental justice, penning the landmark 2015 encyclical Laudato si’, which framed climate change as a moral and spiritual crisis caused by global inequality and exploitation.
A Pontiff with a Pop Culture Pulse
Francis was no stranger to the arts. He invited Patti Smith to perform at the Vatican, welcomed Bono, Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio, and even shared the stage with Aretha Franklin in Philadelphia during the 2015 Festival of Families.
He inspired the 2018 Cannes-selected documentary A Man of His Word by Wim Wenders, sat with Martin Scorsese to discuss Silence, and didn’t shy away from confronting powerful figures—calling Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan a “disgrace” in one of his final TV appearances earlier this year.
Final Days and Legacy
Francis had long battled respiratory issues, having lost part of a lung in his youth. His final health battle began in February with bronchitis and worsened into pneumonia. He was hospitalized for 38 days—his longest stay since becoming pope—and delivered a final Easter Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Square before passing the next morning.
He is survived by his sister María Elena Bergoglio and niece Cristina Bergoglio.
