Divaldo Franco Death and Obituary – Divaldo Pereira Franco, one of the most influential figures in modern Brazilian Spiritism, passed away on May 13, 2025, in Salvador, Bahia, at the age of 98. His death was attributed to multiple organ failure, following a prolonged battle with bladder cancer diagnosed in November 2024. Franco’s death marks the end of an era in Brazilian religious and philanthropic history, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, service, and spiritual enlightenment.
Born on May 5, 1927, in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Franco displayed signs of mediumship from a young age. His spiritual sensitivity, initially misunderstood by his family, would later become the foundation of his life’s work. A transformative moment occurred in his youth when he reportedly witnessed the spirit of his sister Nair, who had committed suicide. This experience deeply shaped his spiritual path and reinforced his commitment to Spiritism.
Franco’s introduction to the Spiritist doctrine came through a personal healing experience. After being cured of paralysis by a medium, he recognized his own spiritual calling and moved to Salvador in 1945. There, he founded the Centro Espírita Caminho da Redenção, which would later evolve into the Mansão do Caminho (“Mansion of the Way”) in 1952. This philanthropic institution became a cornerstone of his mission, serving and sheltering thousands of vulnerable individuals, particularly children. Remarkably, hundreds of them were officially registered as his children, emphasizing his personal dedication to their wellbeing.
A prolific psychographic medium, Divaldo Franco attributed much of his work to the spirit Joanna de Ângelis, believed to have lived multiple lives, including as Clare of Assisi and Juana Inés de la Cruz. His first book, Messe de Amor (“Harvest of Love”), was published in 1964, featuring messages from Joanna. Over his lifetime, he published more than 250 books, said to be authored by 211 spiritual entities, including notable names like Victor Hugo and Rabindranath Tagore. His writings covered a vast range of topics—philosophy, psychology, history, and children’s literature—contributing significantly to Spiritist literature globally. All proceeds from his literary work were donated to charitable causes.
Franco’s influence extended beyond religious circles. He was often referred to as the “Paul of Tarsus of Spiritism” due to his tireless promotion of the doctrine. In 2022, he was awarded the Order of Rio Branco, recognizing his humanitarian efforts. However, his public life was not without controversy. His political comments, particularly his criticism of gender ideology and tacit support for former president Jair Bolsonaro, drew both criticism and support within the Spiritist community. Defenders argued for his right to personal expression without necessarily conflating his views with official Spiritist doctrine.
His life was dramatized in the 2019 biographical film Divaldo: O Mensageiro da Paz, where he was portrayed by Bruno Garcia and Ghilherme Lobo.
Divaldo Franco leaves behind a monumental spiritual and humanitarian legacy. His death is mourned by millions of followers and beneficiaries of his work, and he will be remembered as a beacon of charity, faith, and unwavering commitment to spiritual service.