Pope Francis, the first pontiff from South America and a figure widely known as the “People’s Pope,” has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has confirmed.
The announcement came early this morning, Monday, from Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who said, “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35am 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.”
Francis passed away in the Vatican following a prolonged period of illness. His final months were marked by serious health complications including bilateral pneumonia, kidney issues, and a fungal lung infection, which had required extended hospitalisation and ongoing treatment.
A Transformative Papacy
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis became the 266th pope in March 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI after his historic resignation. As the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope, Francis brought a new tone and direction to the papacy, focusing heavily on humility, social justice, and outreach to marginalised communities.
He quickly gained a reputation for his simple lifestyle, warm demeanour, and outspoken views on issues such as migration, climate change, economic inequality, and interfaith dialogue. He also broke ground with his pastoral approach toward the LGBTQ+ community, famously asking in 2013, “Who am I to judge?” when referring to gay clergy.
Francis frequently placed the poor and displaced at the centre of his mission. In a notable gesture in 2016, he washed the feet of Muslim, Hindu, and Christian refugees at an asylum centre near Rome, symbolising his message of inclusivity and humility.
Declining Health and Final Years
Francis’ health had been a growing concern in recent years. As a young man, he had part of one lung removed due to an infection, and in the final years of his life, he often used a wheelchair or cane due to mobility issues and a chronic nerve condition.
His first major hospitalisation as pope occurred in 2021 for colon surgery, and in 2023, he underwent another operation to treat a hernia. From February 2025, his condition deteriorated significantly. Admitted for bronchitis on 14 February, he was later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and kidney complications.
Despite periods of recovery and public appearances — including a final wave to the faithful from a hospital balcony on 23rd March — his condition remained fragile. He spent the last weeks of his life under continuous medical supervision and respiratory therapy.
On Easter Sunday, just one day before his death, he made what would be his final public appearance at the Vatican, where he greeted crowds during the Easter Service and met with US Vice President JD Vance.
A Church in Transition
Pope Francis’ death now triggers the traditional sede vacante period, during which the Holy See will be temporarily without a pope. A conclave — the gathering of cardinals from around the world — will be convened within the next 15 to 20 days to elect his successor.
As the Catholic Church prepares for this historic moment of transition, over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide are expected to mourn the death of a man many regarded as a spiritual reformer and moral compass during a time of global turbulence.
Funeral arrangements and ceremonies are expected to be announced by the Vatican in the coming days.
