Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America who reshaped the Catholic Church with a focus on humility, social justice, and outreach to the marginalized, has passed away at the age of 88. His death was confirmed Monday morning by Vatican officials.
In a solemn announcement from the Vatican, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo responsible for overseeing papal affairs during the sede vacante, shared the news of the Pope’s passing.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was devoted to the service of God and His Church,” Cardinal Farrell said.
The Argentine-born pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had been battling chronic health issues for several years, including a respiratory condition that stemmed from the removal of part of his lung during his youth. His final health struggle began on February 14, 2025, when he was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after experiencing acute respiratory distress. Diagnosed with double pneumonia, he remained hospitalized for 38 days — the longest admission of his 12-year tenure as head of the Catholic Church.
A New Era for the Papacy
Pope Francis made history in March 2013 when he emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI — an event that had not occurred in over six centuries. From the very start, he signaled a change in tone. His first words to the faithful were a humble and informal “Buonasera” (“Good evening”), setting the stage for a papacy that would prioritize simplicity, compassion, and reform.
Throughout his leadership, Francis championed the plight of refugees, criticized global inequality, and encouraged care for the environment — positions that made him beloved by progressives but drew sharp criticism from more conservative circles within the Church.
His encyclical Laudato Si’, published in 2015, boldly addressed the climate crisis, calling on world leaders to confront environmental degradation and protect the Earth for future generations. “The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth,” he wrote, igniting debate worldwide.
Controversies and Challenges
While Pope Francis earned praise for his openness and concern for the marginalized, his tenure was not without significant controversy. One of the most challenging moments came in 2018 during a papal visit to Chile, where his initial defense of a bishop accused of covering up clerical sexual abuse triggered outrage. Although he later admitted his error and launched an investigation, the episode reopened wounds from the Church’s ongoing abuse crisis.
He also faced resistance from traditionalist factions within the Church for his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics and his efforts to restrict the Latin Mass. Some critics accused him of straying too far from doctrinal orthodoxy, though Francis consistently emphasized the need for a more inclusive and merciful Church.
Despite the backlash, he remained firm in his belief that the Church must evolve. “Who am I to judge?” he famously responded in 2013 when asked about gay priests — a phrase that would come to define his pastoral approach.
A Pope for the People
Known for his approachable demeanor, Pope Francis rejected many of the trappings of papal luxury. He chose to reside in a modest Vatican guesthouse rather than the Apostolic Palace, often carried his own briefcase, and regularly mingled with the public.
His papacy coincided with one of the most tumultuous global periods in recent history. As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across continents, Francis became a spiritual anchor for millions navigating fear and uncertainty. In one of the most poignant moments of his papacy, he stood alone in a rain-soaked, empty St. Peter’s Square in March 2020 to deliver a blessing to the world.
“We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented,” he said. “But at the same time, important and needed — all of us called to row together.”
He also used the moment to call for sweeping societal reform, stating that the pandemic had exposed deep economic and social inequalities. “Let us not return to the false securities of political and economic structures that exploit the vulnerable,” he urged.
Legacy of a Reformer
Over the course of his pontificate, Pope Francis appointed more cardinals than any of his predecessors, shaping the future direction of the Church. Many of his appointees came from the Global South, reflecting his commitment to shifting the Church’s focus away from its Eurocentric roots.
His death marks the end of a deeply transformative papacy — one defined by empathy, outreach, and an unshakable commitment to social justice.
World leaders and religious figures have begun pouring in tributes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called Pope Francis “a moral compass in an era of crisis,” while U.S. President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, praised him as “a shepherd who walked with his flock.”
Catholics and admirers around the world are expected to gather in mourning, as the Vatican prepares for the funeral of a pope who redefined what it means to lead a global faith.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow.
