VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 88, the Vatican announced in a video statement.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell delivered the news on Vatican television, stating that the Holy Father died at 7:35 a.m. local time.
Elected on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, surprised many observers with his selection. Known for his humility and concern for the poor, he adopted a simple lifestyle, choosing not to reside in the traditional papal apartments.
His papacy was marked by both significant achievements and considerable internal challenges. He inherited a Church grappling with a widespread child sex abuse scandal and deep divisions within its bureaucracy. While he worked to address these issues and foster reform, his efforts drew strong criticism from both conservative and progressive factions within the Church.
Despite internal dissent, Pope Francis gained global recognition for his tireless promotion of interfaith dialogue, peace, and the rights of marginalized communities, including migrants. His papacy was also unique for the period of time during which he coexisted with his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who died in December 2022.
Pope Francis appointed a significant number of cardinal electors, approximately 80% as of February 2025, raising the possibility that his successor will continue to implement his progressive policies. The process of selecting his successor will now begin.
