Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and Latin American pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88. His death was confirmed on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 7:35 a.m., at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
The news was shared by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who described the moment with solemn reverence:
“With deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church… We commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis was elected to the papacy in March 2013, following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI—the first pope to voluntarily step down in nearly six centuries. Francis’s election marked a radical shift in the Church’s history: he was not only the first pope from the Global South and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years, but also the first Jesuit to lead the Church.
Over the course of his 12-year papacy, Francis championed humility, social justice, and care for the poor, emerging as a moral leader beyond Catholicism. He consistently advocated for the marginalized, migrants, and the environment, and called for a Church that is “bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets.”
His pastoral approach, openness to interfaith dialogue, and calls for reform made him a beloved yet sometimes polarizing figure—welcomed by many for his inclusivity and criticized by some traditionalists for the same.
Though often seen as a reformer, Pope Francis upheld doctrinal continuity in key areas, navigating a careful balance between tradition and progress. His ability to remain accessible—often speaking plainly, engaging directly with the faithful, and embracing modern media—solidified his image as a “people’s pope.”
Just months before his passing, in September 2024, Pope Francis completed an Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania, where he was seen engaging warmly with journalists aboard his return flight from Singapore to Rome, showing no visible signs that the end was near.
As the world mourns his death, tributes pour in from leaders of faith, politics, and civil society who remember Pope Francis not only as a head of the Church but as a symbol of compassion, simplicity, and global conscience.
The Vatican is expected to announce funeral and succession plans in the coming days.
