Pope Francis, the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church, passed away early Monday at the Vatican at the age of 88.
His death was confirmed in a statement from Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, who manages the affairs of the Church during the interregnum between papacies.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Farrell stated.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected to the papacy in March 2013 following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
His papacy marked a departure from tradition, as he focused on social justice, interfaith dialogue, and compassion for the marginalized, particularly the poor.
His tenure as pope reshaped the direction of the Church, with a clear emphasis on mercy and reform.
Pope Francis had faced significant health challenges throughout his life, notably a lung surgery in his youth due to an infection.
In recent years, his health issues became more pronounced, culminating in a series of hospitalizations.
In February, he was admitted to the hospital with bronchitis, which later escalated into bilateral pneumonia.
Vatican doctors later reported that he underwent blood transfusions to treat anemia-related low platelet counts, and his condition deteriorated into a “prolonged respiratory crisis,” which put him in critical condition.
In the final years of his life, Pope Francis’s mobility was increasingly limited, with the pontiff relying on a wheelchair or cane.
He reduced his public appearances as he contended with bronchitis, sciatica, and the flu.
On March 23, after a 38-day hospitalization, the Pope made a brief appearance from the balcony of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, giving a thumbs-up to the crowds below.
Though his health had been declining, he still addressed the faithful in an audio message, thanking them for their prayers and expressing, “I am with you from here.”
Due to his health, Pope Francis missed several major religious events, including the 2024 Good Friday procession at the Colosseum.
His final public appearance occurred just one day before his death during the Easter Sunday service, where he greeted the faithful and met briefly with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.
According to Church tradition, the conclave to elect his successor will take place within the next 15 to 20 days.
