Pope Francis, the Argentine pontiff who led the Catholic Church since March 2013 with a reformist agenda that inspired devotion while challenging traditionalists, died Monday morning at the age of 88.
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“Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell stated in an official Vatican announcement. “This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.”
The pontiff’s death came just a day after his Easter Sunday appearance at St. Peter’s Basilica, where he had delighted crowds of worshippers. Francis had recently spent 38 days being treated for double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli hospital before being discharged on March 23, apparently on the road to recovery.
Born Jorge Bergoglio, Francis made history as both the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. His papacy marked a sharp contrast to his predecessor Benedict XVI, who had become the first pope since the Middle Ages to resign from the position.
Throughout his tenure, Francis worked to create a more open and compassionate Church, advocating strongly for social justice, migrants’ rights, and environmental protection. He implemented governance reforms and took steps to address clerical sexual abuse scandals. Critics, however, accused him of creating doctrinal confusion and failing to defend traditional Catholic positions on issues like abortion and divorce.
Francis’s independent spirit was evident even in his final arrangements. Breaking with tradition, he chose to be buried not in St. Peter’s Basilica but in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica—becoming the first pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside the Vatican. He also rejected the customary three coffins for popes, opting instead for a single coffin made of wood and zinc to reflect his commitment to simplicity.
Despite significant health challenges, including a partial lung removal during his youth and recent hospitalisations for respiratory infections and surgeries, Francis maintained a rigorous schedule. He resisted calls to step down even as he visibly struggled with mobility issues that required him to use a wheelchair.
Francis’s death activates centuries-old traditions culminating in a conclave of cardinals who will gather to elect his successor. In the interim, Cardinal Kevin Farrell will serve as camerlengo, overseeing the day-to-day operations of Vatican City.
The pope’s passing marks the end of a papacy that drew enormous crowds worldwide, a testament to his popularity and human touch, qualities reflected in his weekly tradition of concluding Sunday Angelus prayers by urging followers to pray for him and to “have a good lunch.”
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