Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff who reshaped the Catholic Church with his humility, compassion, and reformist vision, has died at 88, the Vatican announced early Monday morning.
According to a statement released by Cardinal Kevin Farrell and shared via the Vatican’s official Telegram channel, the pontiff passed away on Monday morning at 07:35 local time (05:35 GMT).
“This morning at 07:35 local time, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” the statement read.
His death comes just days after he made a public appearance at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, where he offered blessings and wished “Happy Easter” to thousands of faithful gathered at the Vatican. Despite his fragile health, the Pope remained active in his spiritual duties until the very end.
Last month, Pope Francis was discharged from hospital after spending five weeks undergoing treatment for a serious infection that developed into double pneumonia, raising concerns over his health.
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Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected as the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church in March 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first Pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit Pope, and the first non-European pontiff in more than 1,200 years. His papacy was marked by a strong emphasis on humility, social justice, climate action, and outreach to marginalized communities.
With his passing, the governance of the Church now temporarily shifts to the College of Cardinals, the body of the Church’s most senior officials. Of the 252 cardinals worldwide, 138 are eligible to vote in the conclave — the solemn and secretive process through which a new Pope will be elected.
The Vatican will soon convene the College of Cardinals in Rome, after which the conclave will be held in the Sistine Chapel, where the doors will be locked until a successor to Pope Francis is chosen.
The world now watches as the Roman Catholic Church enters a period of mourning and prepares to select its next spiritual leader, while millions reflect on the legacy of a Pope who transformed the tone and direction of the Church in the 21st century.
