Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, following a stroke that led to cardiac arrest. His death occurred at his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, after a prolonged hospitalization for double pneumonia.
He was a benevolent soul whose life was marked with commitment towards the upliftment of marginalized communities, social justice, and the modernization of the catholic church.
In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, making him the first pope since 1903 to be interred outside the Vatican. His funeral is expected to take place within four to six days following his death.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was the first Jesuit to become pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff in over 1,200 years.
Pope Francis came from humble beginnings, starting his professional journey as a janitor, nightclub bouncer, and later a chemical technician. He was a revered man who guided the entire world and the Christian community with a clear vision of equality and love among the masses.
Apart from being a responsible international figure, Pope Francis also had an interesting and unbreakable relationship with the Arts, Music, Movies, and Entertainment Industry.
Here are a few interesting facts about Pope Francis and his contributions to the entertainment industry.
1. Pope Francis was the Only Pope to Appear in a Hollywood Movie
Pope Francis made a cameo in the Hollywood movie Beyond the Sun which was released in 2017. He was the first and only pope in history to have been in a movie. His appearance on the screen was for about six minutes, where he encourages children to talk to Jesus and read the Gospels.
The proceeds from the movie were donated and dedicated to charities supporting disadvantaged children in Argentina, his homeland.
2. Pope Francis Released a Rock Album
Yup, Pope Francis was an admirer of music. In 2015, Pope Francis released Wake Up!, an 11-track album blending his speeches and prayers with genres like prog-rock, pop, and classical music.
The album features tracks in English, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, aiming to convey his pastoral messages through contemporary music. The album contains words and prayers spoken in many languages set to pop, rock, and classical music
You can check out the Wake Up music album on the official youtube channel.
3. Subject of Multiple Documentaries
Pope Francis was a prominent voice in the global pedestal and an influential figure too. He was featured in several documentaries including Wim Wenders’ Pope Francis: A Man of His Word (2018), Francesco (2020), and the Netflix series Stories of a Generation. These films aimed to provide insight into his philosophy and the values he followed.
4. Pope Was a Music Enthusiast
You may find it surprising, but the beloved Pope Francis had an extensive collection of music. His personal collection boasted of over 2,000 CDs and 19 vinyl records. While predominantly classical, it also includes a 25-disc collection of Elvis Presley’s gospel songs, Argentine tango music by Astor Piazzolla, and works by artists like Édith Piaf.
Reflecting his Argentine heritage, Pope Francis expressed a deep fondness for tango
Fastest Instagram Account to 1 Million
Believe it or not, but Pope Francis’ instagram account has the record to reach one million followers in the shortest time. It only took the Pope 12 hours to have 1 million followers after he created his account in 2016, beating the record held by former footballer, David Beckham.
Pope Francis was a beloved and interesting figure, and his passing has left many in tears. However, it is important to remember that he was a man of compassion and loved music which is the universal binding force for all of humanity.
