Pope Francis, a global voice for compassion, humility, and social justice, has died at the age of 88 following a long battle with double pneumonia. The Vatican confirmed his death after weeks of treatment at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where the pontiff was admitted with a serious respiratory infection on February 14.
The Pope had struggled with chronic lung disease since his youth, having had part of one lung removed. In recent weeks, his condition worsened and led to early signs of kidney failure. Despite his illness, Pope Francis made a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday—a day before his passing—to bless crowds in St. Peter’s Square and tour the piazza in the Popemobile. The moment was met with loud cheers from thousands of faithful.
He spent 38 days in hospital, his longest stay since becoming Pope in 2013.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis came from a modest background. He worked as a janitor, bouncer, and chemical technician before joining the Jesuit order in 1958. Known for their dedication to education and social justice, the Jesuits shaped much of his worldview.
He was ordained in 1969 and rose steadily through the ranks of the Church. In 2001, he was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II. Twelve years later, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio was elected in the fifth round of voting during a secret papal conclave. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of peace and the poor.
He became the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European Pope in over 1,300 years.
A Pope for the Marginalised
Pope Francis will be remembered for his efforts to bring the Catholic Church closer to the poor, the vulnerable, and the forgotten. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said: “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.”
Known for his simple lifestyle and rejection of papal luxuries, Francis lived in a guesthouse instead of the traditional papal apartments and often used a small family car to get around. After his election, he famously took a bus back to his hotel rather than ride in the papal limousine.
He pushed for more inclusion within the Church, advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, the appointment of women to senior Church positions, and greater understanding toward divorced Catholics.
He was also outspoken on global issues, from climate change and economic inequality to the refugee crisis. “A person who only thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” he once said in response to calls for border barriers.
Pope Francis played an important diplomatic role on the world stage. He helped ease tensions between the U.S. and Cuba in 2014 and spoke out during conflicts including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. He urged wealthy nations to do more for refugees and called for economic systems that prioritize people over profits.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the Pope wanted the Church “to bring joy and hope to the poorest.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called him “a great man and a great pastor,” and said she had benefited from his advice and friendship.
King Charles, who had visited the Pope earlier this month with Queen Camilla, said: “Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased… to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.”
Argentina’s President Javier Milei said, “Despite our differences, I have known true kindness and wisdom from the Pope.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply pained” by the news.
In his 12 years as Pope, Francis made 47 trips outside Italy, visiting more than 65 countries. However, he never returned to Argentina after becoming pontiff.
He led reform efforts inside the Vatican, focusing on transparency and accountability, and he opened more leadership roles to women. Still, his papacy was not without criticism. Some conservatives opposed his progressive views, and he faced ongoing challenges in fully addressing the Church’s sexual abuse crisis.
As the world mourns, the process to elect a new Pope begins. A papal conclave will be held in the Sistine Chapel, where Cardinals under the age of 80 will vote in secrecy until a new leader is chosen by a two-thirds majority.
Until then, the Church reflects on the life and legacy of Pope Francis—a man who chose the path of humility, lived his faith through service, and never stopped fighting for those on the margins of society.
