Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church and the first Jesuit as well as the first Latin American to hold the office, passed away early Monday morning at the Vatican. He was 88 years old.
The Vatican, through Cardinal Kevin Farrell, confirmed the pontiff’s passing in an official statement:
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. 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 rose to the papacy in March 2013 following the surprising resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His leadership broke several precedents, not only in his background but also in his values. He focused the Church’s mission on social justice, compassion for the marginalized, and dialogue with other faiths.
Throughout his papacy, Francis worked tirelessly to reform outdated systems within the Vatican, championed the rights of refugees, and spoke boldly about climate change, poverty, and inequality.
His health had been a growing concern in recent years. Having had part of a lung removed in his youth, Pope Francis battled several conditions in his final years, including bronchitis, sciatica, and the flu. In February 2025, he was admitted to the hospital for bilateral pneumonia and anemia, undergoing multiple blood transfusions.
His last public appearance came during the Easter Sunday service, where he smiled and waved to the faithful. Just a day later, he passed away peacefully.
According to 9am News report, Francis addressed the public one final time from the balcony of Gemelli Hospital in March, giving a heartfelt message: “I am with you from here,” he said, expressing gratitude for the prayers and support received from Catholics around the world.
Following Catholic tradition, the College of Cardinals will convene a conclave within the next two to three weeks to elect the next pope. The world now watches closely as the Church prepares for this pivotal transition.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy defined by humility, courage, and unwavering compassion for humanity’s most vulnerable.
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