The Vatican has confirmed the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. The Argentine-born Pontiff died after complications from pneumonia, following a period of declining health. He spent his final days under close medical supervision at a Vatican-affiliated hospital in Rome.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, served as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and was the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European in over 1,300 years to hold the position. His nearly 12-year papacy was marked by a global reach, moral leadership, and a compassionate stance on some of the most pressing social and theological issues of the modern age.
Final Days and Health Concerns
Francis had long dealt with a range of health issues. In February 2024, he was hospitalized after a diagnosis of bronchitis, which was successfully treated. However, in early 2025, his condition worsened due to complications from pneumonia in both lungs. He had also experienced mobility issues in recent years, frequently using a wheelchair.
Despite these challenges, Pope Francis continued with a demanding schedule. In September 2024, he completed a significant 12-day pastoral visit to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore. Just before his final hospitalization, he made a surprise appearance at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, greeting thousands with his apostolic blessing and taking a brief ride through the crowd in the popemobile—his last public event.
Source: Vatican News
Legacy of Pope Francis: A Pontificate of Firsts
Elected on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, who became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign. Francis’s election marked a turning point in Church history. He was the first pope from the Americas, and his appointment symbolized a shift toward a more global and inclusive Church.
During his pontificate, Pope Francis focused on:
- Environmental stewardship: His 2015 encyclical Laudato si’ urged global action on climate change.
- Social justice and economic equity: He repeatedly emphasized the moral need to protect the poor, migrants, and marginalized communities.
- Outreach to diverse groups: In a series of pastoral decisions, he showed openness toward divorcees, LGBTQ+ individuals, and interfaith cooperation.
Source: The Vatican – Laudato Si’
Notable Reforms and Statements
Francis’s leadership was defined by bold positions, including:
- Supporting blessings for same-sex couples under specific pastoral circumstances (2023).
- Permitting transgender individuals to receive baptism under Church guidelines.
- Upholding the Church’s firm opposition to abortion while calling for compassion and pastoral care, as outlined in the 2023 Vatican document labeling abortion “an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense.”
He also took a strong stance against sexual abuse within the Church, publicly acknowledging clerical misconduct and initiating global reforms. In 2020, Francis pledged to “uproot the evil of child abuse,” urging bishops and clergy to prioritize transparency and accountability.
Source: Vatican News, BBC News
A Global Pastor
Pope Francis was a tireless traveler. His international journeys were both pastoral and diplomatic, often to regions that had not been visited by previous pontiffs. Key visits included:
- United States and Cuba (2015)
- Iraq (2021) – becoming the first pope to visit the country
- Ireland (2018)
- Timor-Leste, where he led Mass before over 600,000 people in 2024
Francis also made interfaith relations a hallmark of his tenure. He visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, entered the al-Aqsa Mosque, and met with global leaders across Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and secular institutions.
Source: Reuters
Controversies and Criticism
Despite global admiration, Francis’s papacy was not without controversy. His perceived reluctance to fully address past Church complicity during Argentina’s 1976–1983 dictatorship drew scrutiny. While he later expressed regret and led Argentine bishops in issuing an apology in 2012, critics cited delays in publicly addressing the Church’s role during the country’s “Dirty War.”
Questions also arose about his leadership style. While he embraced humility and simplicity, some traditional Catholics viewed his reforms as too progressive, while progressives sometimes hoped for even faster change.
Nonetheless, many credit him with balancing doctrine and mercy, keeping Church teachings intact while humanizing the papacy in the 21st century.
Source: National Catholic Reporter
Succession Process: What Happens Next?
With the death of a reigning pope, the College of Cardinals will begin preparations for a Conclave—a closed-door meeting in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City where eligible cardinals (under the age of 80) elect the next pope.
Traditionally, the Conclave begins 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death, following a nine-day period of mourning (Novemdiales), during which daily Masses are offered for the repose of the deceased Pontiff’s soul.
Source: Vatican Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis
Funeral Arrangements
According to official Vatican protocol, Pope Francis’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing the faithful and dignitaries to pay their respects. Unlike most of his predecessors, Pope Francis will reportedly be buried at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a historic Marian church in Rome, reflecting his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary.
A Final Message of Hope
In his last public words on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis said:
“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter! Let’s pray for one another, for the whole world, so that there is great fraternity.”
This message echoed the values he championed throughout his papacy—compassion, global unity, and care for the vulnerable.
Remembering the Life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio
- Born: December 17, 1936, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Ordained a Jesuit Priest: 1969
- Archbishop of Buenos Aires: Appointed in 1998
- Elevated to Cardinal: 2001 by Pope John Paul II
- Elected Pope: March 13, 2013
From his early days as a chemical technician and a bouncer in Buenos Aires to becoming “the Pope of the people,” Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s life was one of transformation and devotion.
His focus on the poor earned him the nickname “Slum Bishop” in Argentina. That same ethos followed him to Rome, where he refused the Apostolic Palace and instead lived in a modest guesthouse.
Conclusion: A Legacy That Transcends Borders
Pope Francis’s life was defined by service, humility, and inclusion. His death marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church and leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shape religious and moral discourse for generations.
As the world mourns the loss of a spiritual leader who consistently called for “a culture of encounter”, Catholics and non-Catholics alike reflect on his message: that the Church must serve the world’s most vulnerable and be a force for mercy, justice, and peace.
Verified Sources:
- Vatican News
- BBC News
- Reuters
- El País
- The Guardian
- National Catholic Reporter
- Vatican.va – Papal Documents
