Born in Argentina, and being the first Latin American elected as Pope in over 1,300 years, Pope Francis made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy. Across his 12 years of service, he was constantly vocal on the issue of migration further advocating for fairer and better migration policies, human dignity and upholding of human rights.

The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta with these words:

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

 

The Pope had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days. Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.

After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery, where later on after delivering his Easter Message Sunday, he passed away on Monday.

Pope Francis and Migration Advocacy

Born in Argentina, and being the first Latin American elected as Pope in over 1,300 years, Francis made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy.

Across his 12 years of service, Pope Francis was very vocal on the issue of migration further advocating for fairer and better migration policies.

In March 2024, Pope Francis sent a message to a group of migrants gathered in Lajas Blancas, Panama, referring to migrants as “the face of Christ”, whom the Church lovingly offers “relief and hope.”

 

In a letter dated March 21,the  Pope addressed the migrants in Lajas Blancas, where he spoke of wanting to accompany them personally, and expressed his understanding for their situation.

“I too am a child of migrants,” he said, “who set out in search of a better future.”

He thanked the bishops and pastoral workers who take his place in serving them.

The Pope said they represent “the face of a mother Church who walks with her sons and daughters, in whom she discovers the face of Christ and, like Veronica, lovingly offers relief and hope on the Way of the Cross of migration.”

The Holy Father added that migrants “represent the suffering body of Christ when they are forced to leave their country, to face the risks and tribulations of a difficult journey, when they find no other way out.”

He appealed to the migrants to never forget their human dignity, and not to “be afraid to look others in the eye,” as they are “not disposable.”

He reassured them that they “are also part of the human family and the family of God’s children.”

In the US

During the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops last year (2024), Pope Francis urged for global solidarity, safe migration pathways and efforts to combat human trafficking during his general audience on August 28.

He stated categorically that working to turn migrants away from the prospect of peace and security in a new country was “a grave sin.

“It needs to be said clearly: There are those who systematically work by all means to drive away migrants, and this, when done knowingly and deliberately, is a grave sin,” Pope Francis said.

Just days before he was hospitalized in February 2025, Francis blasted the US deportation plans, warning that they would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity.

 

In a letter dated 10 February 2025, and addressed to his brothers in the episcopate, Pope Francis acknowledged the work of U.S. bishops in standing alongside migrants and refugees, further expressing support for efforts to uphold the fundamental dignity of every human person and highlighting the importance of pastoral accompaniment for those facing displacement.

In his letter, the Pope recalled the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt and drew a parallel between their experience and that of many migrants today. Their journey, he noted, shined the light on “the phenomenon of migration as a decisive moment in history” and reaffirms “not only our faith in God but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person.”

Upholding human dignity

In his 10-point letter referenced above, the Holy Father said that he had “followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations” and commended the bishops’ efforts stressing that Christian love demanded recognition of the dignity of all people, regardless of legal status.

Since taking office on 20 January, President Donald Trump has announced a series of immigration-related executive orders that pave the way for a widespread effort to crack down on undocumented migrants in the US. In more than 21 actions, Trump has moved to overhaul parts of the US immigration system, including how migrants are processed and deported from the US.

The Pope acknowledged the complex realities surrounding U.S. migration policies but reminded the bishops that the measure of a just society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.

“The legitimate regulation of migration must never undermine the essential dignity of the person,” he wrote.

The Pope also expresses appreciation for the bishops’ advocacy against narratives that criminalize migrants and emphasized their role in ensuring that policies respect human rights.

“God will richly reward all that you do for the protection and defense of those who are considered less valuable, less important, or less human,” he said.

Pope Francis will be remembered for many humanitarian causes and advocacy among them human rights, better migration policies, upholding human dignity, humility and a just, fair and Godly leadership by all world leaders.