On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis, the beloved head of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. His death was confirmed by the Vatican News and announced officially by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” said the Camerlengo, adding, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
The Pope had been battling double pneumonia since mid-February. Initially admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for bronchitis on February 14, his condition worsened over the following weeks, developing into bilateral pneumonia. Despite multiple medical interventions, including bronchoscopies and non-invasive ventilation, his health continued to deteriorate.
After spending five weeks in the hospital, he was discharged on March 23 and made a brief public appearance from a hospital window to bless onlookers. Just one day before his passing, he met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in what would be his final high-profile engagement.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis made history when he was elected in 2013 as the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to assume the papacy. From the beginning, his leadership style broke tradition.
Choosing to live in the more modest Casa Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace, Francis emphasized humility, service, and proximity to the people. His papacy was marked by a strong focus on social justice, environmental stewardship, and inclusion within the Church.
Pope Francis never shied away from controversy. He spoke out against economic inequality, denounced the mistreatment of migrants, and called for the Church to be more welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals. Under his guidance, the Vatican released groundbreaking documents addressing climate change, and he frequently challenged global leaders to act in the interest of the poor and marginalized.
Despite his progressive vision, Francis faced significant opposition within the Church. Conservative factions resisted many of his reforms, and debates around priestly celibacy, women’s roles in the Church, and doctrinal shifts continued throughout his tenure. Still, his influence reached far beyond Catholicism, earning him global admiration as a spiritual leader who bridged divides with compassion.
His health had long been a concern. In his youth, he suffered a severe lung infection that led to the removal of part of one lung. In recent years, he dealt with chronic knee pain, limiting his mobility, and underwent multiple surgeries, including one in 2021 for diverticulitis and another in 2023 for a hernia.
Pope Francis leaves behind a complex and impactful legacy—one of empathy, courage, and a relentless push for a more inclusive and compassionate Church. As Catholics around the world mourn his death, they also celebrate a life lived in service of faith, justice, and love.
