Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. He passed away at 7:35 a.m. at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City, according to an official announcement made at 9:45 a.m. by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Farrell declared, as reported by Vatican News.
Pope Francis had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, 2025, after suffering from bronchitis for several days. His condition worsened over time, and on February 18, doctors diagnosed him with bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days of treatment, he returned to his residence at Casa Santa Marta to continue recovery, where he later passed away.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected as the supreme pontiff on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from the Americas, and the first non-European to serve as pontiff in over 1,200 years.
During his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis was widely regarded for reshaping the public image of the Church through humility, accessibility, and advocacy for social justice. He emphasized the Church’s mission to serve the marginalized, addressed climate change in his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, and took bold steps in fostering interfaith dialogue. Known for his simplicity, he chose to live in a modest guesthouse instead of the Apostolic Palace and frequently prioritized mercy over doctrinal rigidity.
His papacy was marked by efforts to reform Vatican governance, respond to the clergy sexual abuse crisis, and support migrants and refugees globally. He was also a vocal critic of economic inequality, war, and environmental destruction.
Details regarding funeral services and the upcoming papal conclave will be announced by the Vatican in the coming days.
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