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Pope Francis’ Doctors Considered Letting Him Die in Peace Amid Health Crisis
Vice President JD Vance is remembering Pope Francis, one day after their Easter meeting.
Following the death of the pontiff (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio) April 21, Vance detailed his experience with the Catholic leader.
“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” Vance wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”
The 40-year-old continued, “I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”
The vice president included a link to the referenced homily, which Francis shared on March 27, 2020, addressing the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and the at-home isolation.
“For weeks now it has been evening. Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities,” the Pope wrote. “We find ourselves afraid and lost.”
Yet, in his prayer, the head of the Catholic Church also spoke to feelings of hope and togetherness amid such uncertain times.
“We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed,” Francis continued. “All of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat… are all of us.”
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Francis’ death was confirmed by the Vatican, just one day after Easter and two months after he had been hospitalized for respiratory issues.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a statement. "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and the marginalized."
During his tenure as Pope, which began in 2013, Francis established himself as one of the more progressive to have been given the position. Not only did he embrace the digital age—becoming the first Pope to have an Instagram and pen a New York Times op-ed—but he also took a more accommodating stance for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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As he told reporters in 2013, "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?"
And while he still affirmed the Catholic belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman, he expressed his belief that same-sex couples should have legal protections.
"What we have to create is a civil union law," Francis said in an interview from the 2020 documentary Francesco. "That way, they are legally covered."
For a closer look at some of the Pope’s final appearances before his death, keep reading.
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February 2025
In February, Pope Francis attended his weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican.
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February 2025
Later that month, the Pope delivered his homily during a Mass on the Jubilee of The Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel at St. Peter's Square.
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March 2025
After he was hospitalized for more than five weeks, the Pope gave a greeting from the balcony of the Gemelli hospital before being discharged.
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April 2025
Pope Francis greeted Cardinals at St. Peter's Square in a wheelchair at the end of Palm Sunday Mass on April 13.
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April 2025
Just hours before his passing, Pope Francis met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delegation at Casa Santa Marta on Easter Sunday in Vatican City, Vatican.
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