Spain has declared three days of national mourning to honour Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The announcement was made by Spain’s Justice Minister, Félix Bolaños, during a televised address on Monday evening.
The death of the Argentine-born pope, who served as head of the Catholic Church for 12 years, has drawn emotional reactions from around the world, especially in Spain, a country with deep Catholic roots. Bolaños described Pope Francis as “a good man and a great pope” whose work and values earned him widespread admiration.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to become pontiff. Since his election in March 2013, he led the Catholic Church through a period of significant reform, pushing for openness, humility, and action on global issues such as poverty, climate change, and migration.
Minister Bolaños highlighted these achievements in his tribute, saying, “He dedicated his life to the weak, to those who have nothing… a pope characterised by his struggle against inequality, injustices, his fight against climate change and his concern for all those on the peripheries.”
Bolaños said the Spanish government has always supported the pope’s principles, especially his advocacy for peace, social justice, and care for the environment. “For that reason, the government of Spain has always felt close to his work and his values,” he added.
Spain, a historically Catholic nation, has had a longstanding relationship with the Vatican and the papacy. Though the country has become more secular in recent decades, the Catholic Church continues to play an important role in cultural and religious life.
Bolaños said the Spanish people held Pope Francis in high regard and embraced his leadership and message. “In Spain, we loved him and what his papacy meant,” he said. “With his papacy, the Church has started to travel a path which must continue.”
He noted that Francis’s highlights on compassion, inclusivity, and support for the poor deeply resonated with Spanish society and helped bring the Church closer to the people.
The official three-day mourning period declared by the Spanish government will involve the lowering of flags across public buildings and state institutions. It is also expected that churches and cathedrals across the country will hold special memorial services in honour of the late pope.
The Catholic Church in Spain has already begun preparations for national prayers and tributes. Religious leaders across the country have described Pope Francis’s death as a great loss to the global Christian community.
Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona and President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, described Francis as “a father figure who guided the Church with love and courage in a complex world.” He called on Spaniards to pray for the repose of the pope’s soul and to carry forward his mission of justice, unity, and compassion.
Leaders from across Spain’s political, religious, and civil society also joined in mourning the pope’s death. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on social media that Pope Francis “leaves behind a legacy of humility, dignity, and tireless service to humanity.”
Sánchez added, “Spain joins the rest of the world in mourning this historic figure. His leadership inspired many to work for a fairer and more caring world.”
Opposition leaders, governors, and mayors from various regions of Spain echoed similar sentiments, describing Pope Francis as a man who transcended religious boundaries and inspired hope during times of global crisis.
From Madrid to Seville, ordinary citizens lit candles and gathered at churches to pay their respects. Some recalled the pope’s pastoral visits to Europe and his messages during times of international tension.
Pope Francis’s influence extended beyond the religious world. He was known for his efforts to build bridges with other faiths, promote interfaith dialogue, and confront global issues such as inequality, racism, and environmental degradation.
In 2015, he released the historic encyclical *Laudato Si’*, calling on the world to act against climate change — a move that earned praise from environmentalists and world leaders.
He also played a significant role in peacebuilding efforts, such as helping to restore diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba and advocating for the protection of migrants and refugees across Europe and Africa.
His simple lifestyle — living in a guesthouse instead of the traditional papal palace and driving a modest car — won him admiration even among non-Catholics.
Pope Francis’s death marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the history of the Catholic Church. Vatican officials have announced that preparations for his funeral are underway, with dignitaries from around the world expected to attend.
As per tradition, cardinals will soon gather in Rome for a papal conclave to elect the next leader of the Church. The process could take days or weeks, depending on deliberations among the College of Cardinals.
Many observers believe that Francis’s successor will be expected to continue the reforms and values he championed — especially his focus on human dignity, social justice, and transparency within the Church.
For many in Spain, the death of Pope Francis feels personal. Though he was never a head of state in the political sense, his role as spiritual leader left a lasting impact on millions of Spanish Catholics and others who admired his compassion and courage.
In towns and cities across the country, bells rang out in solemn remembrance as churchgoers gathered for prayers. Social media was filled with messages of gratitude and farewell, with hashtags like #GraciasPapaFrancisco and #AdiósPapa trending nationwide.
As Spain begins its official mourning, many citizens are reflecting on the life of a man who chose simplicity over grandeur, service over power, and love over division.
In the words of Justice Minister Félix Bolaños, “His papacy will leave a legacy for history — one that reminds us to care, to serve, and to always stand with the weakest among us.”
