Sojourner #038: Pope Francis Dies At 88 - The Risen King Still Reigns

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness', has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)

By now, the world has heard the news resound across the airwaves, echo from pulpits, and list in headlines in every language and in every place: The Pope has died.

On Monday morning, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome, passed away at the age of 88 inside the Casa Santa Marta, the historic guesthouse near St. Peter’s Basilica, according to an official statement from the Vatican.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the humble Argentinian reigned as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church for thirteen years, elected by the College of Cardinals following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013. Pope Francis was the 266th Pontiff to hold the office, a position all Roman Catholics revere as being the successor to the Apostle Peter and the very Vicar of Christ Himself on earth.

Millions have paused in sincere reverence, not only Roman Catholics, but people from diverse faith traditions and continents who are shaken by the death of the Pope. Global leaders have offered their statements and countless individuals have shared their memorials to the faith leader on their personal pages and in their homes and communities.

As the world grieves the loss of the Vatican’s sovereign, the Church of Christ the Victor is presented with a remarkable opportunity to speak faithfully and truly about the Kingdom of God and the realities of Heaven in light of the painful loss of Pope Francis.

Though his life was marked by piety, good works, and real compassion for the poorest and most destitute people in need of the love of God, Pope Francis was still a man - finite, not without error, and in need of the same saving grace he often spoke of. And like every man one day will, he has now faced the unalterable appointment spoken of in the Scriptures: “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes the judgement” (Heb. 9:27). A sobering thought to reckon with.

As those who belong to Christ Jesus, we mourn and weep with those who grieve - yet, we do not grieve without hope that springs eternal. Our earnest prayer, even now, is that Pope Francis - beneath all his many titles, vestments, and tradition spanning the centuries of time - truly trusted, by faith alone, in Christ alone as the only Savior of sinners. For there has never been, nor will there ever be, any pope, priest, preacher, or person justified by their works of the law or by their ecclesiastical status on earth. Salvation is ever found only by grace, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 5:1

May this moment of clarity, found in the midst of our grief, sharpen our resolve in the truth of the Scriptures:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not rest upon any line of human succession but upon the divine resurrection of the true and final Sovereign. Christ is the only head of His Church, the only Cornerstone, the only risen and reigning King - He alone holds the authority to forgive sins and grant eternal life to those who trust in His name by faith.

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” - 1 Timothy 2:5

Though we mourn the loss of Pope Francis, we would do well to consider our own life in light of eternity - to face the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to ask ourselves the hard questions:

Are we trusting in Christ alone? Have we turned from our sins in repentance and faith? Are we following the King, or have we set our hope in religious tradition and ceremony? 

As the reign of an esteemed global faith leader draws to a close, and Rome prepares to select his successor, a greater question presses in on each one of us: Are we prepared to stand before the King of kings?

The Scriptures are clear. The Way is open, the gate is narrow - not found in Rome, but in the cross and tomb now empty - our salvation eternally accomplished the finished work of Jesus Christ the Righteous.

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” - John 3:36

May we remember and honor the life of Pope Francis as much as we can, as much as we are able, but more than anything: May we remember the true Gospel of the King who reigns and rules forever and ever. 

Editor’s Note: Christ Above All Earthly Powers

The death of the Pope is no small moment in human history. It stopped me in my tracks this morning. Looking at my phone, a single message read across the screen: The Pope is dead.

Instantly, the weight of that reality began to set in. His death brings with it immense historical, spiritual, and personal implications. Like many of you, I have watched the Pope’s gradual decline in recent years with quiet sorrow, praying that he would come to understand the Truth. 

Known across the earth and esteemed by all who knew him, he now, like all of us who have walked beneath the heavens one day will, has entered into eternity - whatever titles he bore in life of no help to him now, as he presently stands before the greatest throne - before the judgement seat of Christ the King. Where he will be judged, with perfect judgement - by the perfect judge that reigns above all earthly powers and dominions.

It is with that understanding that I write, not as a theological rival, but as one who has long loved the Roman Catholic Church. I do not write today with distance or hostility towards Rome. The story of Rome is woven, deeply intertwined, into the story of the West, into the lives of friends and family whom I hold great affection for, and into my own heart’s long struggle with the truth of the Scriptures, in more ways than one. Their cathedrals and traditions and community shine in my eyes with a beauty that is historic and heartfelt. Standing in the halls of their basilica’s I find my eyes drawn to Christ alone, for not even their radiant beauty can replace the all-sufficient light of Christ Himself - the very light of heaven.

But it is because I love, because I care for Rome as I do - that I must use my voice to tell the truth plainly to my friends who belong to the Roman Catholic Church:

There is only one Gospel, and it is found, not in tradition, but in the Word of God alone. Our hope of salvation is not in the Church, nor in the sacraments, nor in papal succession, but in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. No other works, save Thine, can ease our weight of sin - Christ’s atonement alone can save the sinner, no other work will do.

“By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” - Ephesians 2:8

“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12

This is not just my opinion. The Scriptures themselves speak with final, self-attesting authority non dependent upon my interpretation. The living voice of the King declares through the whole council of God as revealed in Scripture: Christ is enough, His blood alone atones for sin, His righteousness alone justifies, and His cross alone bridges our great divide. None of our works may be added to the account that Christ has paid in full, nor would they be accepted as sufficient.

My plea to you is not made in anger, it is made with love and care for you. Never do I rejoice in the death of any man, and I do not presume to know the state of Pope Francis’s soul - but do I know the faith that God has once, for all, delivered to the saints. Furthermore, I know that this Gospel has often been obscured and veiled by tradition, priestly claims of divine power, and the meshing of grace with merit-based works of human effort.

There is a better path, a simpler Way. Though it indeed is narrow, it is opened freely to all who call - to children, to the poor, to the weary and forgotten, to the prideful, to the one lost in sin, to you. His name is Jesus, and He bids us to look to Him by faith alone, and find salvation - not in part, but the whole.

“Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” - Acts 10:43

“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” - Romans 10:4

Today, as we join the world in reflecting on the life of a man who shaped the world in many ways, I implore you, by faith, to lift your eyes to the heavens. Fix your hope on Jesus.

His Word is true, His reign is eternal, and His grace is offered freely to you who would come to Him now, in repentance and faith.

Let the death of the Pope remind you that one day, you too will stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Will you offer Him your works that cannot save, or will you cling to His cross alone? You cannot hold on to both - not now, not ever. Do not let this moment pass without examining your life - not your Church, not your works - but whether or not you belong to Christ, the only Savior.

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” - John 3:36

To my friends in Rome, and around the world:

Christ is sufficient. Christ is the Way. Turn to Him today, and live - for His glory and for the good of many.

Editor-In-Chief, Sojourner Magazine

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PRAYER GUIDE: In the Wake of the Pope’s Death

“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” - Hebrews 9:27

In moments like this, the world stops—and wonders. The passing of such a global figure stirs reflection, grief, reverence, and questions. As we mourn, we pray. We pray not as those without hope, but as those clinging to the One who is our only hope: Jesus Christ, the Risen King.

① Pray for Those Who Mourn

• That the Lord would comfort Catholics around the world.

• That grief would lead to questions, and questions to the Scriptures.

• That those mourning the Pope would seek the true Shepherd.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” - Matthew 5:4

② Pray for the Roman Catholic Church

• That God would bring a renewed hunger for His Word.

• That the Gospel of grace through faith in Christ alone would break through centuries of tradition.

• That leaders, priests, and laypeople would encounter the sufficiency of Christ.

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” - John 17:17

③ Pray for the Nations

• That many around the world, seeing this moment, would consider eternity.

• That evangelists, missionaries, and pastors would speak the truth boldly in love.

• That the death of one man would point to the death and resurrection of the God-Man.

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” - Acts 3:19

④ Pray for the Church

• That we would not gloat, but grieve and speak with compassion.

• That we would proclaim the Gospel with clarity and kindness.

• That we would remember our own calling: to lift up Christ above all.

“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” - Ephesians 4:15

⑤ Pray for Yourself

• That your heart would be softened toward others and shaped by Scripture.

• That your hope would not rest in religious systems or human titles, but in Christ alone.

• That you would live boldly, because your King is alive.

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” - 1 Corinthians 2:2

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