Pope Francis dies at 88

Pope Francis Dies at 88 – born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, in his residence at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae.

His death was officially announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church:
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house.”

Francis had been battling several health issues in recent years, including a recent hospitalization for double pneumonia. Despite these challenges, he made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, delivering the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing from a wheelchair in St. Peter’s Square.

Elected in 2013 as the 266th pope, Francis was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff in over a millennium. His papacy was widely recognized for efforts to modernize the Catholic Church and promote social justice, compassion, and inclusion. He supported civil unions for same-sex couples, addressed global poverty, emphasized climate change, and condemned the treatment of Indigenous children in residential schools as genocide.

His tenure was not without controversy, particularly in the Church’s handling of clerical sex abuse scandals. However, Pope Francis remained a symbol of humility, reform, and service throughout his leadership.

According to his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, making him the first pope to be laid to rest outside the Vatican since Pope Leo XIII in 1903. His body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica beginning Wednesday, April 23, for public viewing.

A papal conclave to elect his successor is expected to begin between May 6 and May 11, 2025.

World leaders around the globe have expressed their condolences. French President Emmanuel Macron praised him as “a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and most fragile.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described him as “an advocate for the weak, a reconciler, and a warm-hearted person.” King Charles III noted his “compassion” and “tireless commitment” to people of faith across the world.

Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy as a transformative and deeply human leader who shaped the Church in ways that will be felt for generations.