Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the first Latin American and Jesuit to assume the papacy, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta .
A Life of Service and Reform
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected as pope on March 13, 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI. His papacy was marked by a commitment to humility, social justice, and reform within the Church. He advocated for the poor, migrants, and marginalized communities, and was known for his progressive views on issues such as climate change, civil unions for same-sex couples, and the abolition of the death penalty
Health Challenges and Final Days
In February 2025, Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital due to bilateral pneumonia. Despite initial improvements, his condition worsened, and he was later diagnosed with early-stage kidney failure . Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, confirmed the pope’s passing at 7:35 a.m. on April 21, stating that Pope Francis “returned to the home of the Father”
A Legacy of Compassion and Controversy
Pope Francis’s tenure was characterized by efforts to modernize the Church and address its internal challenges. He confronted clergy sexual abuse scandals, reformed Vatican finances, and promoted roles for women in the Church, though he upheld positions against abortion and female ordination . His outreach to divorced Catholics and same-sex couples sparked backlash from conservative factions, but he remained steadfast in his mission to embody compassion and mercy.
The Path Forward
With the passing of Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals will begin the process of electing a new pope. The Vatican has not yet announced the date for the conclave to elect his successor.
As the Catholic Church mourns the loss of a transformative leader, Pope Francis’s legacy of humility, reform, and advocacy for the marginalized will continue to influence the direction of the Church in the years to come.
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