Pope Leo XIV honors Francis a year after his death: ‘His words remain in our hearts’

Pope Leo XIV paid homage to the late Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his death, calling on the world to follow the legacy of his predecessor. “On the first anniversary of the birth into heaven of our dear Pope Francis, his words and actions remain written in our hearts,” Leo said in a message posted on his social media accounts posted during his trip to Africa. “We carry on his legacy by always proclaiming the joy of the Gospel, announcing God’s mercy, and promoting fraternity among all men and women,” he added. On the first anniversary of the birth into heaven of our dear #PopeFrancis, his words and actions remain written in our hearts. We carry on his legacy by always proclaiming the joy of the Gospel, announcing God’s mercy, and promoting fraternity among all men and women.— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) April 21, 2026 Pope Francis, born in Argentina in 1936, became the first head of the Catholic Church from the American continent in 2013. His papacy went on until his passing on April 21, 2025, at 88 years old. Leo XIV has vowed to continue Francis’ line within the Catholic Church, which includes a focus on the vulnerable and some progressive measures such as increasing women’s participation. You may also be interested in: ‘Make some fuss’ — the legacy of Pope Francis The pope’s message on Francis was read during a mass at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major — where he is buried — in Vatican City. Several homages are scheduled for Tuesday in the Vatican as well as in the late pope’s home city of Buenos Aires.  Pope Leo XIV remembers Francis Pope Leo XIV also spoke fondly about Francis with journalists who were flying with him on his trip from Angola to Equatorial Guinea, the final leg of his trip to Africa. According to Vatican News, the pontiff said that Francis “left so much” and “gave so much to the Church through his life, his witness, his words, and his gestures” by “truly living closeness to the poorest, to the least, to the sick, to children, and to the elderly.” Pope Francis, he added, sought to “promote authentic respect for all men and all women, promoting a spirit of fraternity, of being brothers and sisters.” “Let us pray that he is already enjoying the Lord’s mercy,” Pope Leo XIV said. A mass was also carried out at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican’s guesthouse where Francis lived during his years as pope, after having refused to take residence at the Apostolic Palace in 2013. “I am sure that Pope Francis grew fond of this house, and we grew fond of him,” Cardinal Angelo Acerbi said during the homily. “We still feel him close to us.” Commemorations in Argentina There are several masses and homages scheduled for Tuesday across Argentina. The main event will be a mass at the Basilica of Luján, in Buenos Aires province, held by Monsignor Marcelo Colombo at 5 p.m. National and local government officials were invited, and the main authorities of the Catholic Church in Argentina will attend. The national government delegation will be led by Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni, given President Javier Milei is visiting Israel. Several ministers and governors, as well as Vice President Victoria Villarruel, are expected to attend. The Episcopal Conference, which organized the mass, called in a statement to carry on his spiritual legacy and “his permanent calling for a Church that is more approachable, missionary, and committed to those most in need.” The mass will be livestreamed on YouTube. At 8 p.m., Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva will lead a mass at the Basilica of San José de Flores. The place had a special significance for Francis, as that was the church where he decided he would become a priest, located in the neighborhood where he was born and raised. At that same church at 6 p.m. there will be a concert inspired in Francis’ story There will also be a march and a caravan with torches in downtown Buenos Aires to pay homage to him throughout the afternoon. At 8 p.m., the Buenos Aires City government will do a mapping on the Obelisco with his  phrase “No one saves themselves alone,” which will go on until late at night. The homage to Francis began on Saturday when Buenos Aires was revolutionized by a singular show: Portuguese priest Guilherme Peixoto hosted a free electronic music show at Plaza de Mayo — located right in front of the Buenos Aires Cathedral, where Francis, at the time Jorge Bergoglio, carried out his work as archbishop. The show combined electronic sounds, religious messages, and footage of Francis, with over 100,000 attendees that included both Catholics and music fans alike.