Pope Francis Dies at 88: A Defender of the Ezidi People and An Ally

Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), the first Jesuit and first Latin American pope, passed away on the morning of April 21, 2025 at the Vatican at the age of 88. Throughout his papacy he advocated for peace, poverty, and fraternity — and tirelessly defended the most vulnerable, including the Ezidi people.

From his election in 2013, Pope Francis shifted the Church’s focus to the margins: the poor, migrants, and persecuted minorities. In 2014, following the Islamic State’s invasion of northern Iraq, he strongly condemned the atrocities committed against the Ezidis, denouncing them as “unspeakable” crimes and openly recognising them as genocide.

Pope Francis also met with Ezidi delegations at the Vatican, listening to spiritual, religious, and political leaders. His meetings with Nobel laureate Nadia Murad were particularly symbolic, highlighting the pain and resilience of the Ezidi people. Moved by her testimony, he described her as the face of her people’s suffering and hope, and gifted her a personal rosary in a gesture of solidarity.

In 2021, during a historic visit to Iraq, Francis paid tribute to all victims of violence. In a heartfelt speech, he called for dignity and peace for the Ezidis, expressing his hope for a reconciled Iraq where minorities could live without fear.

The death of Pope Francis closes a deeply human chapter in the history of the Church. For the Ezidis, he will be remembered as a moral ally who gave voice to their suffering and stood with them on the international stage.