“He saw God in all his creatures.” Governor Newsom’s tribute resonated deeply after Pope Francis died. Around the world, parishioners and world leaders mourn a man who forever changed the heart of religion during his 12-year papacy. Now, even NBA legend Magic Johnson has stepped forward to honor the late pontiff.
Pope Francis suffered a fatal stroke on April 21. He passed away peacefully two hours later, surrounded by loved ones at home. Vatican press office cited doctors saying, “He died peacefully at home, without suffering.” Thousands queued for hours to view Francis’s body in St. Peter’s Basilica inside St. Peter’s Basilica. The turnout was so overwhelming, the Vatican kept doors open all night to let people say their goodbyes. And in a moment such as this, Magic Johnson’s latest tribute shows how one man’s life can reach from churches to basketball courts.
Francis’s 12-year papacy was nothing short of remarkable. Until his final day, Francis championed social justice, climate action, and inclusivity—redefining the papal office for a new era. Still, his leadership wasn’t without criticism. Critics argued his progressive stances sometimes outpaced Vatican tradition. But for Magic Johnson, that unapologetic drive to do what he believed was right? That’s exactly what he admired most.
So Magic Johnson headed to X (formerly Twitter) to pay his respects to the late pontiff in the most heartfelt way. He wrote, “We celebrate the life and legacy of Pope Francis, a man of the people who was beloved by all for being simple, approachable, and genuine… Pope Francis transcended religious barriers to promote peace and unity amongst all people and my prayer is that we try to live to the standards that he embodied.”
We celebrate the life and legacy of Pope Francis, a man of the people who was beloved by all for being simple, approachable, and genuine. He would lay hands on anyone in their time of need regardless of their background or situation and served with compassion, love, grace, and…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 24, 2025
Pope Francis may be gone, but his message of peace, unity, and compassion lives on in hearts around the world. And as Magic said, if we can live by even a fraction of those values, the world’s already a better place.
Magic Johnson celebrates 30 years of resilience, giving thanks to God for his unbreakable journey
Magic Johnson is celebrating 30 years of resilience, reflecting on the unbreakable journey that brought him closer to his faith. When Johnson was first diagnosed with HIV three decades ago, he thought it was a death sentence. His mind raced with all the things he stood to lose, his life, his wife, his unborn son, and his career in the NBA. But against all odds, Johnson didn’t lose any of them. Today, the virus is undetectable in his body, managed through daily medication.
What Johnson did gain, however, was a life-changing relationship with Christ. During the 30th anniversary of his diagnosis in November 2021, Johnson didn’t hold back in giving credit to his faith. He shared on X, “God has really blessed me! Today marks 30 years living with HIV so the message resonated with me in such a tremendous way. I thank the Lord for keeping me, giving me strength, and guiding me for 62 years but especially the last 30. ”
Now, Johnson dedicates much of his life to spreading that message of hope, faith, and resilience. After Pope Francis’ passing, you can imagine that moment hitting him harder than most.
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