Pope Francis, the transformative leader of the Catholic Church known for his efforts to modernize its mission and message, has passed away at the age of 88. The Argentine-born pontiff, who made history as the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to ascend to the role, died on Easter Monday. His death was confirmed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in an official Vatican statement.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” said Cardinal Farrell. “At 7.35am this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Francis made history in many ways. He was the first pope born or raised outside Europe in over 1,200 years and assumed the papacy in 2013, leading the Roman Catholic Church’s 1.3 billion followers through an era marked by both internal reform and global challenges. His health had been declining for some time, with the Pope relying on a wheelchair or cane following multiple surgeries, including major abdominal procedures. In February, he was hospitalized with pneumonia in both lungs and spent over a month recovering in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, only being discharged on March 23.
His passing came just a day after he had blessed thousands gathered at St Peter’s Square during Easter Sunday celebrations. Despite his frailty, he made an unexpected appearance in the popemobile, delighting the crowd with a ride through the piazza. He had also met briefly with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance that day.
As per centuries-old Vatican protocols, the camerlengo — the official responsible for overseeing church property — confirmed the death by calling out Pope Francis’ baptismal name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, three times without receiving a response. Upon this, he declared the Pope deceased and began notifying Vatican staff and the public.
The Pope’s death sets in motion a traditional nine-day mourning period and the lead-up to a new papal election. The funeral Mass is expected to be held in St Peter’s Square, and Francis will be buried between four and six days following his death, in accordance with the Universi Dominici Gregis, the document guiding the papal transition. While most popes are buried beneath St Peter’s Basilica, Francis had previously expressed his wish for a simple service and burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Rome, marking the first time since Pope Leo XIII in 1903 that a pope will be laid to rest outside the Vatican.
Within 15 to 20 days, more than 140 cardinals from around the globe will arrive at the Vatican to begin the conclave, the highly secretive election process to choose the next pope. During the conclave, the cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel, cut off from all forms of communication, until a new pontiff is elected by a two-thirds majority. The announcement of the new pope will come in the traditional form: white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
Born in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis’ papacy began under unique circumstances. He succeeded Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013, becoming the first pope to step down in six centuries. The unexpected transition created a period of dual pontiffs living within the Vatican, and despite the unusual arrangement, Francis and Benedict formed a close personal relationship. Benedict passed away at the end of 2022.
As the 266th pope in the Church’s two-millennia history, Francis took leadership during a particularly turbulent time. The Catholic Church was reeling from widespread sexual abuse scandals, suffering from financial disarray, and sharply divided between conservative and liberal factions. While he didn’t alter Church doctrine, Francis radically changed the tone and focus of Vatican leadership. He immediately targeted clericalism, aimed to uplift the laity, promoted women to influential positions in Church bureaucracy (though he stopped short of ordaining them), and spoke out firmly on climate change.
Francis gained a reputation for compassion, especially toward society’s marginalized, but his gentle demeanor did not extend to clergy who failed to address misconduct. He was unafraid to challenge conservative elements within the Church and dismissed bishops who had mishandled sexual abuse cases. His determination to reform Vatican governance led him to create an anti-corruption body that conducted audits of Church-owned institutions.
During the most recent synod, Francis urged Catholics globally to envision a more inclusive Church, advocating for “an ever more symphonic and synodal church.” He described the Church as an orchestra, cautioning that no single section should dominate. Referring to his role as a “conductor,” he emphasized the need for “creative fidelity” in uniting differing voices within the Church.
Despite his many efforts, his attempts to rebalance the Church’s power structure and amplify the voices of laypeople, especially women and those on society’s fringes, met limited success. In one of his early interviews, Francis remarked that the Church should not fixate on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and contraception, stating that “everyone knew what the church taught” on these matters.
In a strategic move to shape the future of the Church, Francis appointed 21 new cardinals in late 2024. With this, roughly 80 percent of the current College of Cardinals — the body responsible for electing the next pope — are now his appointees. This shift significantly increased representation from Asia and Africa, a reflection of Francis’ mission to expand the Church’s reach in the developing world. His 2015 visit to the Philippines marked the largest papal event in history, drawing over six million attendees for the final Mass in Manila, surpassing World Youth Day 1995 at the same location.
Yet, Francis’ tenure was not without internal strife. He faced strong opposition from conservative members within the Church, most notably when an essay surfaced in early 2023, widely believed to have been written by the late Cardinal George Pell. The piece labeled Francis’ papacy a “catastrophe” and accused the Vatican under his leadership of being at a political “low ebb.” It also criticized him for “grave failures to support human rights in Venezuela, Hong Kong, mainland China, and now in the Russian invasion.”
Nevertheless, Pope Francis leaves behind a profound legacy. He may not have fundamentally altered Church doctrine, but he reshaped the Church’s image, reoriented its priorities toward justice, inclusion, and humility, and opened doors for global voices long marginalized in the institution’s highest circles. His papacy will be remembered as one that dared to challenge tradition while calling for unity, compassion, and courage in a divided world.