At the death of Pope Francis, some laughed, others said “Alhamdulillah,” and a few even condemned him straight to hell. How astonishing! A man of peace, a humanitarian, a lover of children is gone—and we celebrated?
This was the same man who raised his voice firmly against war, who stood unwaveringly for humanity. Even in the Muslim world, there is hardly a leader who speaks so consistently of interfaith harmony and human values as he did. So where do we stand now?
Just a day before his death, on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis called for an end to the war in Gaza. From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, he delivered a short but powerful message:
“Stop the war. Free the hostages. And stand with those hungry souls who long for a peaceful future.”
This message wasn’t a formality—it was a cry from his soul. At 88, he had refrained from attending the main Easter events due to his doctor’s advice, yet he still rose at the end to deliver his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message, roaring in defense of humanity.
He had repeatedly condemned the killing of children in Gaza. In December 2024, he described the situation in Gaza as “barbaric.” He also demanded the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Pope Francis was not just a man of words. In 2016, he personally brought 12 Syrian Muslim refugees, including six children, from the Greek island of Lesbos to the Vatican.
In 2015, the Vatican officially recognized Palestine as a state—an important and historic step.
He often said, “Those who sell weapons, want wars.” To him, the arms trade was a violation of humanity. He further asserted, “There is no religion greater than the protection of humanity.”
On April 21, 2025, Easter Monday, this great-hearted man bid farewell to the world. Those who could still laugh after his death—perhaps they no longer know when their own hearts had died. This joy, this hatred, marks a deep fall in our collective humanity.
From the perspective of history, heritage, and religion, we seem to have forgotten—Jesus Christ is our prophet Isa (A.S.). Both Christians and Muslims revere him. Then why such inhumane jubilation at the death of the Pope?
The world is gradually sinking into darkness. It is because of people like Pope Francis that a few glimmers of light still remain. Those who try to extinguish that light only prove their own unworthiness as human beings.
This world was never meant for such hatred—it was made for love. Pope Francis tried to teach us just that.
Author: Journalist
April 21, 2025