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Pope Leo Offers Thanks for 'great Gift' of Francis, One Year on From His Death
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 21, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 21, 2026
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Pope Leo, en route to Equatorial Guinea, honored the late Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his death, recalling Francis’s humility, reformist zeal, and global impact. He praised Francis’s authentic brotherhood message and the Church continues to commemorate his legacy.
Pope Leo Pays Tribute to Pope Francis One Year After His Death
Pope Leo Honors the Legacy of Pope Francis
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT, April 21 (Reuters) - Pope Leo paid respects on Tuesday to his predecessor Francis on the anniversary of his death last year, remembering the first pontiff from the Americas as someone who gave the 1.4-billion-member Church "so much with his words and his witness."
Pope Francis’ Papacy and Values
Over his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis "promoted an authentic respect for all men and women... that we are all brothers and sisters," Leo said in comments aboard his flight to Equatorial Guinea for the final leg of his four-nation Africa tour.
"We pray that he is already enjoying the mercy of the Lord and we thank the Lord for the great gift of Francis' life to the Church and the whole world."
The Life and Passing of Pope Francis
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, died of a stroke one year ago on the morning of April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 after surviving a serious bout of double pneumonia.
Reforms and Controversies
As pope, he sought to reform the global Church in ways that often attracted the ire of conservative Catholics, who worried he was watering down the faith's strict doctrinal teachings.
Relations with World Leaders
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has recently criticized Leo after the current pope emerged in recent weeks as an outspoken critic of the Iran war, also took issue with Francis.
The two disagreed publicly in 2016 over the president's plans to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Francis suggested Trump's hard-line anti-immigration policies were unchristian, after which Trump called the pope "disgraceful."
Pope Francis’ Humble Lifestyle and Burial
Francis, known for his simple style, never moved into the ornate apartments meant for the pope and lived instead at a Vatican hotel.
His burial on April 26, 2025, was humble for a leader of the Church, with the pope asking to be interred in a simple, zinc-lined wooden coffin.
Final Resting Place
He was the first pope in more than 100 years to be buried outside the Vatican, choosing Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major as his final resting place. His tomb there is marked with a simple inscription of his name in Latin: "Franciscus."
The Basilica is due to hold a Mass in his honour later on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet, Alexandra Hudson)
Key Takeaways
- •Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025 at age 88, from a stroke leading to irreversible heart failure, following a hospitalization for double pneumonia. (aljazeera.com)
- •Francis was the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, serving from March 2013 until his death; his papacy was marked by humility, outreach to the poor, and impactful reforms. (time.com)
- •He requested a simple burial outside the Vatican's usual protocol—at Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore—becoming the first pope buried outside the Vatican since 1903. (en.wikipedia.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Pope Leo offers thanks for 'great gift' of Francis, one year on from his death
1When did Pope Francis die?
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
2How did Pope Leo honor Pope Francis on his death anniversary?
Pope Leo offered gratitude for Francis' life and legacy during comments aboard his flight to Equatorial Guinea.
3Where was Pope Francis buried?
Pope Francis was buried at Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major in a humble, zinc-lined wooden coffin.
4What was Pope Francis known for during his papacy?
Pope Francis was known for promoting authentic respect for all people and living a life of humility.
5Did Pope Francis and Donald Trump have public disagreements?
Yes, they publicly disagreed in 2016 over Trump’s immigration policies and border wall plans.
