Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88, as confirmed by the Vatican on Easter Monday. The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, who expressed profound sorrow in a statement:
“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.”
In recent years, Pope Francis had faced numerous health challenges, including the use of a wheelchair during some public appearances. His condition deteriorated significantly after hospitalization in February 2025 due to severe bronchitis and pneumonia affecting both lungs. The Vatican later revealed that he succumbed to a cerebral stroke that resulted in a coma and irreversible heart failure.
Health struggles and a lasting impact
This tragic event marks the culmination of a series of health issues for the pope, who had previously undergone lung surgery in his youth and faced increasing frailty in his later years. Notably, he underwent two significant intestinal surgeries: the first in 2021, which involved the removal of part of his colon, and another in June 2023 to address an intestinal blockage. Following the latter surgery, he was filmed leaving the hospital in a wheelchair, assuring onlookers, “I’m alive.”
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, made history as the first Jesuit pope and the first pontiff from Latin America. His tenure was characterized by a departure from the conservative norms upheld by his predecessors, often igniting debate within the Church. His approach blended liberal views with progressive reforms, all while navigating the complexities of leading a traditional institution.
A progressive voice in a conservative institution
Known for his willingness to engage in political discourse, Pope Francis was unafraid to confront controversial issues. He was vocal in his criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding immigration policies and challenged U.S. Vice President JD Vance over the misuse of theological arguments in political discussions. His last diplomatic engagement included a brief visit from Vance to the Vatican, lasting merely 17 minutes on Easter Sunday.
As a social reformer, the pope’s legacy will include a compassionate stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals, famously stating that being gay is “not a crime.” He permitted blessings for same-sex couples while simultaneously reiterating traditional Church teachings on homosexuality. On issues of gender, he maintained a traditional position on the ordination of women, despite appointing several women to significant roles within the Vatican.
Pope Francis traveled extensively, reaching out to followers across various regions, from Asia and the Middle East to the Arctic and the Amazon. His journeys often emphasized environmental themes, aligning with his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi. In his 2015 encyclical, he called for urgent action on environmental issues, asserting, “Clearly, the Bible has no place for a tyrannical anthropocentrism unconcerned for other creatures.”
He was also a staunch critic of war, condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and calling for peace while facing backlash for some of his comments regarding the conflict. In January 2025, he described the situation in Gaza as “very serious and shameful,” urging that civilian bombings should not be tolerated.
In light of his health issues, there had been speculation regarding a potential resignation, particularly as Francis succeeded Benedict XVI, who was the first pope to resign in over 600 years. Although the pope had signed a resignation letter in December 2022 for potential medical incapacitation, he emphasized in February 2023 that papal resignations should not be normalized.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reflected on the pope’s approachable nature, stating, “a pope with whom you could talk about everything … a person who made you feel good, feel at ease.” In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in a simple underground tomb at St. Mary Major Basilica.
This article has been updated. Reporting from Rome was contributed by Hannah Roberts.