Pope Francis, the 266th and current pope of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88 after a battle with a prolonged illness.

The Vatican confirmed the news in a statement made public on X early this morning, Monday, April 21, 2025, marking the end of a pontificate that spanned over a decade.

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis passed away peacefully at 7:15 AM local time at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery within Vatican City, where he had been living in recent years after undergoing surgery for diverticulitis in 2023.

The statement described his final days as marked by prayers and visits from close church officials, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

Who was Pope Francis?

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, ascended to the papacy in March 2013, following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His election was groundbreaking in several ways—Francis was the first pope from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis sought to make the Church more inclusive, emphasizing themes of mercy, poverty, and care for the environment. His 2015 encyclical Laudato si’, urging global leaders to address climate change and the degradation of the environment, was one of the most significant documents of his pontificate.

The pope was also known for his outreach to marginalized groups, including the poor, refugees, and LGBTQ+ individuals, challenging the Church’s traditional stance on certain issues. While he remained steadfast in core Catholic teachings, Francis advocated for a more compassionate and open approach to pastoral care.

Despite his efforts to modernize the Church, Pope Francis’ papacy was not without controversy. His calls for reform, including changes to the Vatican bureaucracy and greater attention to sexual abuse scandals within the Church, were met with resistance from conservative factions. Critics accused him of being too lenient on doctrinal issues, while others felt his leadership failed to fully address the ongoing scandals that have plagued the Church in recent decades.

However, his popularity among Catholics worldwide remained high. His frequent foreign trips; he visited countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America—helped him connect with a global audience. His 2019 trip to Japan, during which he honored the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, was one of the many highlights of his diplomatic efforts.

With Pope Francis’ death, the College of Cardinals will now begin preparations for a conclave to elect his successor. The conclave will take place within weeks, as outlined by Vatican protocol, with cardinals from around the world gathering in Rome to choose a new pope.

Though the next pope’s identity remains unknown, speculation is already swirling about who could succeed the Argentine pontiff. As of now, the papacy is expected to continue a trajectory of reform and inclusivity, though whether the next pontiff will embrace the same progressive ideals as Francis remains uncertain.

Pope Francis’ death marks the end of an era in the Catholic Church. His efforts to address global poverty, climate change, and interfaith dialogue will likely continue to shape his legacy. For many, he will be remembered as a pope who emphasized compassion and service over tradition, a figure who sought to make the Church more relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced shortly, with the Vatican set to honor the pope’s passing in the coming days. The global Catholic community is now left to mourn the loss of a leader who leaves behind a deeply transformative legacy.