April 21, 2025 - Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church and a transformative figure in modern Catholicism, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. He died at 7:35 a.m. local time in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae within Vatican City. The Vatican officially announced his death approximately two hours later, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, delivering the somber news from the chapel of the papal residence.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to ascend to the papacy. He was also the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. Elected on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, his 12-year papacy was marked by a commitment to humility, social justice, and inclusivity.
Pope Francis's health had been a concern in recent years. In February 2025, he was hospitalized for 38 days due to double pneumonia and kidney failure. Despite his ailments, he remained active in his duties, delivering his final Easter blessing from St. Peter's Basilica on April 20, just a day before his passing.
Throughout his papacy, Francis was known for his progressive stances on various global issues. He advocated for the rights of migrants, addressed climate change, and called for economic equality. He also took unprecedented steps within the Church, such as supporting same-sex civil unions and condemning the treatment of Indigenous students in Canadian residential schools, labeling it as genocide.
In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, making him the first pope to be interred outside the Vatican since Pope Leo XIII in 1903. He requested a simplified funeral, opting for a basic wooden coffin and forgoing the traditional public display of his body.
The Vatican has declared a period of mourning, and preparations are underway for the conclave to elect his successor. According to Church law, the 2025 papal conclave is expected to begin between May 6 and May 11, depending on the arrival of all cardinal electors in Rome.
Pope Francis's death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from around the world. King Charles III expressed deep sorrow, reflecting on their final meeting on April 9, where they exchanged gifts and discussed shared concerns. Leaders and faithful alike mourn the loss of a pontiff who sought to bring the Church closer to the marginalized and to address the pressing issues of the modern world.
As the Catholic community grieves, Pope Francis's legacy endures—a testament to a papacy that embraced change while upholding the core tenets of faith.