Pope Francis died on Monday April 21, 2025. He was only the second pope to die on Easter Monday. 

Whether you are Catholic or not, you may find yourself touched by Pope Francis’s death. The impact of his service as Pope was far reaching – touching the lives of people all over the world. Not just Catholics – but those he championed across significant social issues. 

His death comes at a time when many feel the turmoil of the world. So, even though you didn’t know him personally, even though you may be just now learning about his life and career, even though you aren’t Catholic, you may find yourself deeply touched by his death. 

You may be discovering that your feelings of loss are right below the surface. 

I am neither Catholic nor have I followed a lot of Pope Francis’s work, but I have friends who happened to be visiting in Rome at the time of another Pope’s death. 

I vividly recall conversations about their experience. They happened to be in the Vatican City as tourists. Their travel experience was changed entirely as they observed and participated in the immediate aftermath of that Pope’s passing. As Catholics, it was a life changing event to have been there at that time. I’m sure, they are recalling that experience even as Pope Francis’s funeral has unfolded. 

You might be wondering how this touches me. While these friends remain alive and well, we have lost touch completely. Life circumstances changed the nature of our friendship. I was and remain saddened by this loss. They were the type of friends I thought I would be connected to for the rest of my life. 

Even in mourning a larger community (global in this case loss) you may also find yourself mourning the connection to other losses. Grief has a way of doing that – echoing across years and other experiences. The death of prominent public figures can touch us deeply. 

Public figures are part of our lives and consciousness. Even though we may not realize it, their presence in the world can seem like a constant – Pope Francis, Queen Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela…people who have left a seemingly unfillable void. It can be difficult to know what to do with grief after this kind of loss. 

Perhaps you are finding yourself surprised by feelings of loss over the death of Pope Francis. 

Like with other death losses, this is a time to be gentle with yourself. Give yourself time and space to recognize how Pope Francis’s death feels to you. Slow down if you are able. Find comfort in things like reading more about his life and work. Follow the ceremonies that have happened or are unfolding. Give yourself room to have feelings that come up. Consider how these feelings might be linked to other losses you’ve experienced too. 

This is a time to create your own ceremonies and remembrances. 

As you soak in your own feelings of loss consider lighting a candle in his honor, find and spend a few minutes reading Pope Francis’ writings. Look for other writing that resonates with you and read that. Pray, meditate or listen to meaningful music. These are just a few ways to honor Pope Francis as well as your own feelings in this time.   

As a grief coach I work with people navigating the spaces of loss. As a funeral celebrant, I join families in their worst days to co-create ceremonies of meaning. Making meaning is an essential navigational tool for moving forward in the messy emotions of grief. 

If you are coaching curious or simply needing a way to explore the questions of the moment, I invite you to sign up for the 45-minute Live the Questions offering. 

This is an effective way to learn about the co-collaborative process of coaching as well as gaining insight about your own grief needs and how coaching might support them.