In a moment that has touched millions across the globe, Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

Vatican officials confirmed that the beloved pontiff died peacefully at 7:35 a.m. after a series of health complications.

His passing marks the end of a papacy defined by compassion, inclusivity, and a bold effort to modernize a centuries-old institution.

“Returned to the Home of the Father”
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo, announced the news in an emotional statement.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church... With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God.”

A Battle with Health in His Final Days

Pope Francis had long suffered from health issues, including losing part of one lung in his youth. In February, he was hospitalized with bronchitis, which led to double pneumonia and multiple respiratory crises. His stay at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital lasted 38 days — the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

Despite this, he made a public appearance on Easter Sunday, offering blessings to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, just a day before his passing.

From Buenos Aires to the Vatican

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina on December 17, 1936, the man who would become pope originally studied chemistry. A lover of tango, he danced in his youth before dedicating his life to the Church.

After a near-death experience with pneumonia at age 21, Bergoglio joined the Jesuits in 1958 and was ordained a priest in 1969. He rose through the ranks to become the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was appointed a cardinal in 2001.

A Papal First in Many Ways

Pope Francis made history in 2013 by becoming the first pope to:

Be born in the Southern Hemisphere

Come from the Americas

Be a Jesuit

Be born outside Europe since the 8th century

He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, known for his life of simplicity and care for the poor.

A Modern, People-Focused Pope

Pope Francis broke many traditions. He declined the lavish papal apartments and instead chose to live in the Vatican guest house. He was vocal against consumerism, unregulated capitalism, and environmental destruction.

He also used social media as a tool for outreach, amassing over 25 million followers on Twitter (now X) and nearly 10 million on Instagram.

Championing Compassion and Dialogue

While he remained aligned with many traditional Catholic teachings, Pope Francis was seen as a progressive voice within the Church. He showed empathy toward LGBTQ+ people, urging priests to exercise "pastoral charity" when approached about blessing same-sex unions.

He also supported women’s roles in Church governance and allowed laypeople and women to participate in the 2023 Synod of Bishops, a significant shift toward inclusivity.

Standing for the Voiceless

Francis made global headlines for his progressive views on climate change, issuing the encyclical Laudato si’ to declare climate justice a moral issue. He also stood firm against economic inequality and supported indigenous rights.

In 2018, he revised Church teachings to completely oppose the death penalty, calling it an attack on human dignity.

Touching Lives Far Beyond the Church

Francis gained admiration even outside religious circles. Celebrities including Bono, Leonardo DiCaprio, Katy Perry, and Aretha Franklin attended papal events. He even invited punk icon Patti Smith to sing at the Vatican’s Christmas concert, sparking debate among conservatives.

His openness also extended to filmmakers. In 2018, acclaimed director Wim Wenders released A Man of His Word, a Vatican-approved documentary giving unprecedented access to the pope.

Historic Firsts on the World Stage

In 2015, Francis became the first pope to speak before the U.S. Congress, delivering a powerful message of peace and unity. In 2019, he visited the Arabian Peninsula — another first — and met with Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb to promote interfaith harmony.

Leading Through Crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis canceled public appearances and encouraged Church officials to support frontline workers. He even advocated for universal basic income and declared vaccination a moral obligation.

However, his leadership wasn’t without criticism. Like his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, he faced backlash over the Church’s handling of sex abuse cases. Though he initiated investigations and accepted resignations, some believed he was too slow to act.

Final Words and Last Public Moments

In January 2025, just months before his death, Pope Francis gave a rare television interview criticizing President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, calling mass deportations a “disgrace.”

His final public message was a pre-recorded audio note from his hospital bed in March, where he thanked the faithful in Spanish for their prayers. It was broadcast in St. Peter’s Square — a poignant farewell from a pope who deeply understood the power of connection.

Remembering Pope Francis

Pope Francis is survived by his sister María Elena Bergoglio and niece Cristina Bergoglio. But his legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the values he championed — mercy, justice, humility, and love.

He may have passed on, but the world will remember him not just as a religious leader, but as a global voice of hope in a time of division.

“Let us not forget the tenderness of God. We are never alone.” — Pope Francis