Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a transformative figure in the modern Catholic Church, died today at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that he passed away peacefully in the early hours following complications from a stroke and heart failure.
A Life of Firsts
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he joined the Jesuit order in 1958 and was ordained a priest in 1969. His early life was marked by health struggles—most notably, the removal of part of his lung due to severe pneumonia in his youth. These challenges shaped his deep empathy and grounded spirituality.
He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was elevated to cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. In a historic moment on March 13, 2013, he was elected as the 266th pope, making history as the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European to lead the Church in over a millennium.
A Papacy of Simplicity and Social Justice
Pope Francis quickly became known for his break from tradition. He declined the lavish papal apartments in favor of a modest guesthouse. He rode in a modest Ford Focus instead of the traditional Popemobile, and often carried his own luggage.
His message was clear: the Church must serve the poor, embrace humility, and become a home for all—especially the marginalized. His first major apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, set the tone for a papacy focused on mercy, social justice, and care for the planet.
A Pontiff Who Stirred the Waters
Francis was not without controversy. His critiques of capitalism, calls to action on climate change (Laudato Si’), and support for civil unions for same-sex couples drew both admiration and ire. Conservatives within the Church accused him of diluting doctrine, while others saw him as a visionary unafraid to confront uncomfortable truths.
He opened new dialogues on divorced Catholics receiving communion, pushed for a more decentralized Church, and recently approved blessings for same-sex couples—historic moves that would have been unimaginable under previous pontificates.
Health Battles and Final Days
In recent years, the pope’s declining health led to fewer public appearances. He suffered from chronic knee pain, underwent intestinal surgery in 2021, and had been hospitalized multiple times for respiratory and cardiac concerns.
On April 20, 2025, he slipped into a coma after suffering a stroke. The Vatican reported his death the following morning at 7:35 a.m. Rome time.
Legacy and Farewell
Pope Francis requested a simple funeral and will be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, rather than in the traditional papal crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. This final gesture aligns with the humility that defined his life and papacy.
He leaves behind a Church more open to dialogue, more conscious of the world’s wounds, and still grappling with the reforms he began.
Sources:
Reuters: Pope died of stroke and heart failure
AP News: Key moments in the life of Pope Francis
Britannica: Pope Francis Biography
People: Pope Francis’ Life in Photos
The Times: Obituary: Pope Francis
