Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday. His passing occurred early in the morning, at 7:35 a.m. local time (0535 GMT), just one day after he made a heartfelt appearance at Saint Peter’s Square to bless the faithful during Easter Sunday celebrations.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo—a key figure responsible for administering the Vatican during the period between popes—delivered the somber news in a statement shared via the Vatican’s Telegram channel.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” the statement read. “This morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was devoted to serving the Lord and His Church.”
Despite recent health struggles, Pope Francis had surprised and delighted crowds by appearing on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday. He offered his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing—“To the City and the World”—urging peace, tolerance, and the freedom of thought. Just weeks prior, he had been hospitalized for a severe case of pneumonia, coming close to death on two occasions, and spending a total of 38 days in the hospital before his release on March 23.
Now that Pope Francis has passed, the Vatican will initiate long-established procedures for papal succession. This process will eventually lead to the gathering of a conclave—a council of cardinals—to elect a new pope. Until then, Cardinal Farrell will oversee the daily operations of the Vatican City state.
Legacy of Mercy and Reform
Elected in 2013 as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis—born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina—led the Church for 12 years. His papacy was marked by a strong emphasis on mercy, social justice, and outreach to the marginalized.
Francis was known for his advocacy on behalf of refugees, the poor, and the disenfranchised. He consistently challenged economic systems he believed contributed to inequality and poverty. Under his leadership, the Church made strides toward inclusiveness, with Francis extending pastoral care to divorced and remarried Catholics and showing openness toward the LGBT community. These progressive positions sparked criticism from conservative factions, particularly within the United States, who accused him of compromising traditional doctrine.
Health Challenges and Declining Mobility
Francis’s health had long been a concern. Decades ago, as a young man, he had part of his lung removed due to illness. In recent years, his physical limitations became more apparent. In 2022, he began using a wheelchair after suffering a torn ligament in his knee, and would sometimes walk with the aid of a cane. Consequently, he no longer celebrated Mass at the high altar in Saint Peter’s Basilica but presided from a side platform while delegating key parts of the service to cardinals.
The pontiff was hospitalized twice in 2023—once for a respiratory infection and again for abdominal surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia. Later that year, he canceled a trip to Dubai due to a severe case of bronchitis.
Yet, despite his ailments, Francis remained fearless and grounded. When asked during one of his international travels if he feared for his safety without a bulletproof popemobile, he famously responded, “At my age, I’ve got nothing to lose.”
From Buenos Aires to the Chair of Saint Peter
Born on December 17, 1936, to Italian immigrant parents, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the eldest of five children. Before entering the seminary, he worked as a nightclub bouncer and later trained as a chemical technician. In 1973, he took his final vows with the Jesuit order and served for six years as Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina.
He was consecrated a bishop in 1992 and became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. Recognized for his humility and deep spiritual insight, he was appointed cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
Pope Francis’s election in 2013 marked several historic firsts: he was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first to take the name Francis—after Saint Francis of Assisi, known for his embrace of poverty and peace.
As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, his legacy of compassion, humility, and reform will remain etched in the hearts of Catholics and non-Catholics alike. His death closes a transformative chapter in the history of the Catholic Church and opens a new one with the coming conclave.
