“Pope Francis Dies at 88: A Humble Reformer Who Changed the Church and the World”
Vatican City — April 21, 2025
Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away peacefully early Monday morning at the age of 88. The Vatican Press Office confirmed his death at 6:15 a.m. at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, where he had been residing since the end of his public ministry.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered the official announcement, stating, “With profound sadness, we announce that our beloved Holy Father Francis has completed his earthly journey. He departed in grace, surrounded by prayer.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents, Pope Francis became a historic figure when he was elected in 2013. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first pontiff from the Americas. His choice of the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, reflected his commitment to humility, simplicity, and advocacy for the poor.
Throughout his twelve-year papacy, Francis was recognized globally as a transformative and often polarizing figure. He implemented sweeping reforms in Church governance, promoted transparency within Vatican financial institutions, and took bold stances on issues ranging from climate change and economic inequality to LGBTQ+ inclusion and the refugee crisis.
Among his most notable contributions was the encyclical Laudato Si’, which called for urgent global action to address environmental degradation. His later work, Fratelli Tutti, released in 2022, offered a vision of post-pandemic global solidarity. In 2023, he made an unprecedented diplomatic visit to Moscow amid the war in Ukraine, an act that led to his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Francis’ final years were marked by a series of health complications. After undergoing colon surgery in 2021 and becoming reliant on a wheelchair in 2023 due to chronic knee pain, he was hospitalized in March 2025 with severe respiratory issues. Despite his physical decline, he continued to lead, reportedly signing new Vatican legal reforms from his bedside just last week.
World leaders and citizens alike have expressed condolences and admiration. The U.S. president praised him as a servant-leader who “taught us that leadership means washing feet.” Climate activist Greta Thunberg described him as “the only world leader who truly understood the climate emergency.” In a rare gesture, the Chinese Communist Party issued a formal statement of condolence, acknowledging his influence as a global bridge-builder.
The Vatican has announced nine days of official mourning. A funeral mass is expected to take place within four to six days, with cardinals from around the world scheduled to arrive in Rome for the upcoming conclave, which will begin by May 15. In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be laid to rest in the Vatican grottoes.
As mourners gather in St. Peter’s Square and churches around the world hold vigils, the Catholic Church prepares for a new chapter. Pope Francis’ enduring message of compassion, service, and reform will remain etched in the conscience of a global community.
