On April 21 Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 266th pontiff of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, entered into eternal repose at the age of 88.

Francis’ 12 year papacy was remarkable in several regards. Hailing from Argentina, he was the first non-European Pope to be elected since the Syrian Pope Gregory III almost 1,300 years prior; additionally, he was the first Pope elected from the Americas, and the first Jesuit Pope. His pontificate was defined from the very first day by his characteristic no-frills, simplistic approach; by equal turns conservative and radical, both exhorting the Church to rediscover its roots while urging it forward to address the emerging challenges of the new century.

Prominent in Pope Francis’ writings and messages were his social teachings; in “Laudato si,” his second encyclical, the Pope denounced rampant consumerism and unbridled capitalistic greed, and issued an exhortation to all people and nations to adopt a more conscious stewardship of God’s creation, “our common home”. As the political climate across much of the West shifted during the latter half of the 2010s, Pope Francis committed himself to peacemaking, continuing in the tradition of Saint John Paul II of seeking diplomatic solutions to problems others seemed eager to address with force. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis emphasized the needs of those so often marginalized in wider society: migrants, prisoners, the elderly, those suffering from mental illness, and young people whose voices are often overlooked in the life of the Church.

Pope Francis’ death begins the Novemdiales, a nine-day period of mourning and prayer for the repose of his soul. It is only when these days are at an end that preparations will begin for the election of a new Pope. During this time, we are called to join the faithful the world over in praying for the late Holy Father, that he may enjoy the just reward of his long service to Christ and His Church.