Pope Francis' 'compassion, humility, commitment to social justice will continue to inspire generations' - Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying "his legacy of compassion, humility, and commitment to social justice will continue to inspire generations."
President Mahama issued the statement in a social media post.
The world woke up to the sad news of Pope Francis’ passing. On behalf of my family and the people of Ghana, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Roman Catholic Church and all Catholic faithful in Ghana during this time of profound grief.
I fondly remember visiting the Vatican with my wife, Lordina, where we had the distinct honour of meeting Pope Francis. His legacy of compassion, humility, and commitment to social justice will continue to inspire generations.
His leadership and advocacy for the poor and marginalised resonate deeply. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
The world woke up to the sad news of Pope Francis’ passing. On behalf of my family and the people of Ghana, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Roman Catholic Church and all Catholic faithful in Ghana during this time of profound grief.
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) April 21, 2025
I fondly remember visiting the Vatican… pic.twitter.com/O2YfSmkIx9
Tributes have been coming in from around the world since The Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis, aged 88, on Monday morning,
Born in December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the son of Italian immigrants.
The pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on 14 February after battling a bout of bronchitis.
Francis took over from Benedict XVI, who became the first pontiff to resign from his post due to ill health in 2013.
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Here is the statement from King Charles III in full:
My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.
Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.
His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.
His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world.
Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.
The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.
We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
Conclave to select next Pope after Francis' death to take 15 to 20 days
The process for choosing a new pope - conclave - generally takes place between 15 and 20 days after the death of a pontiff.
The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died at the age of 88 on Monday.
He had suffered various ailments in his 12-year papacy, with severe complications in recent weeks.
Francis became pope in 2013. In recent years, the 88-year-old was forced to cancel some events, sometimes at the last minute, because of his health.
In the statement, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
At 9:45 AM [Vatican time +2hrs GMT]], 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 7:35am [Vatican time +2hrs GMT] 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 favour of the poorest and most marginalised. 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 was 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.
In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection.
As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass which has yet to be announced.
The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.
The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”
Bishop of Rome
The pontiff, who was Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, became pope in 2013 after his predecessor Benedict XVI resigned.
Francis had experienced a string of health worries in recent years and spent 38 days in hospital in February and March this year.
But he recovered enough to leave hospital and just yesterday was greeting crowds on Easter Sunday in St Peter's Square.
The process for choosing a new pope - conclave - generally takes place between 15 and 20 days after the death of a pontiff.
Recent hospital visits
In recent years, his papacy had been marked by several hospital visits and concerns about his health.
On 14 February, the Pope was admitted to hospital for bronchitis treatment.
In the days that followed, the Vatican said he had been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and that he had blood transfusions after tests revealed he had low levels of platelets in his blood, which is associated with anaemia.
On 22 February, it said the Pope was in a critical condition after a "prolonged respiratory crisis" that required a high flow of oxygen, and the next day the Vatican said Francis was showing an "initial, mild" kidney failure.
In the following days, thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square to pray for his recovery, as others went to the Rome hospital where he was staying to leave flowers and cards.
He remained in hospital for the rest of the month, with doctors saying that his condition remained "complex".
On 6 March, his voice was heard for the first time since being admitted to hospital in an audio message, in which he thanked well-wishers, before adding: "I am with you from here."
On Sunday, he greeted crowds at the Easter Sunday Service, a day after meeting US vice president JD Vance.
His 38-day hospital stay ended on 23 March when he made his first public appearance in five weeks on a balcony at Gemelli where he smiled and gave a thumbs up to the crowds gathered outside.
He returned to the Vatican, making a surprise stop at his favourite basilica on the way home, before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.
Doctors said Francis would have access to supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed - adding that while the pneumonia infection had been successfully treated, the pontiff would continue to take oral medication for quite some time to treat the fungal infection in his lungs and continue his respiratory and physical physiotherapy.
'People's Pope'
Born in 1936, Francis was the first pope from South America. His papacy was marked by his championing of those escaping war and hunger, as well as those in poverty, earning him the moniker the "People's Pope".
In 2016, he washed the feet of refugees from different religions at an asylum centre outside Rome in a "gesture of humility and service".
He also made his views known on a wide range of issues, from climate change to wealth inequality and the role of women in the Catholic Church.
His acceptance of the LGBTQ community was unprecedented - beginning with an unexpected remark to reporters on a flight back from Brazil about gay clergy.
He said: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge them?"
However, in April 2024 he appeared to reiterate the Vatican's staunch opposition to gender reassignment, surrogacy, abortion and euthanasia, by signing the text "Dignitas Infinita" (Infinite Dignity).
In the same year, his own liberal credentials were questioned after reports he used a homophobic slur behind closed doors.
Pope's health in recent years
As a young man in his native Argentina, Francis had part of one lung removed.
In the last few years of his life, Francis needed a wheelchair or a cane to get around and limited his public speaking while struggling with bronchitis and flu.
Francis first spent time in hospital as pope in 2021 for an operation to remove part of his colon.
In June 2023 he was admitted to hospital for an operation on his intestine. At the time, the Vatican said he had been suffering "recurrent, painful and worsening" symptoms caused by an abdominal hernia.
His recent health issues meant he was forced to miss significant events in the Roman Catholic calendar, including the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome's Colosseum last year.
In 2022, he hinted he might step down if his health deteriorated after he was pictured using a wheelchair due to mobility issues caused by a flare-up of sciatica - a nerve condition that causes leg pain.
His predecessor, the late Benedict XVI, became the first pope to resign in more than 600 years in 2013 instead of serving for life, and died in 2022.
The Pope's original name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio and he previously served as a bishop in Buenos Aires.
An estimated 1.4 billion Catholics across the world will mourn Francis' passing.
