Pope Francis: The Humble ‘People’s Pope’ Who Took Selfies and Publicly Cried

On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. According to Vatican officials, the beloved pontiff passed away at 7:35 AM in his humble residence at Casa Santa Marta. Born to Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis earned the nickname ‘the People’s Pope’ and ‘the Pope of the Poor.’ Known for his humility, he famously rejected the luxurious papal apartments, opting instead for a modest room in the Vatican guesthouse. He replaced the ornate papal throne with a simple white chair and emphasized reaching out to people rather than waiting for them to come to the church. In 2022, during his first televised interview, he revealed his childhood dream of becoming a butcher due to the allure of moneybags in the market. Later, he embraced chemistry and medicine but ultimately answered God’s call. His emotional side was evident when he publicly cried over Ukrainian children affected by war in December 2022. Additionally, in September 2023, he playfully boxed with Sylvester Stallone during a Vatican meeting. Notably, Pope Francis became the first sitting pope to publish an autobiography, titled ‘Hope,’ reflecting on his life and legacy.