Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced in a video statement on Monday. His death came after he recently overcame a serious bout of double pneumonia.
“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, on the Vatican’s television channel. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013. His rise to the papacy surprised many, as the Argentine cleric, known for his deep concern for the poor, was seen as an outsider. From the outset, he chose simplicity over tradition—refusing to live in the ornate papal apartments and opting instead for a modest residence in a communal setting, citing his “psychological health.”
Francis inherited a Church rocked by child sex abuse scandals and internal power struggles. He was chosen to restore order and begin reform. While he tried to steer the Church in a new direction, his tenure was marked by division. Conservatives accused him of dismantling tradition, while progressives lamented his reluctance to go further with reforms.
Despite internal resistance, Pope Francis emerged as a global moral voice. He championed interfaith dialogue, spoke out for the marginalized, and became known for his support of migrants and his calls for peace. His international visits attracted massive crowds and widespread attention.
For much of his papacy, Francis shared the Vatican with his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 but remained in residence until his death in 2022. The presence of two popes—one active and one retired—was unprecedented in modern Church history.
By February 2025, Francis had appointed nearly 80% of the cardinals eligible to elect the next pope, significantly shaping the future of the Church. While his progressive vision stirred strong opposition, it also set the stage for a potential continuation of his legacy.
With inputs from Reuters