Pope Francis Passes On at 88
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has d+ed at the age of 88.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell confirmed the news: “With deep sorrow I must announce the d+ath of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 a.m. this morning, the Bishop of Rome returned to the house of the Father.
His life was devoted to the service of God and the Church. He taught us to live the Gospel with love, courage, and compassion, especially for the p@@r and marginalised.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis became pope in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
He was the first pope from South America and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church. Known as the “People’s Pope,” he championed social justice, advocated for refugees, and reached out to those on the margins of society.
His message of inclusion made headlines when he said, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?”
In recent years, his health declined. In early 2025, he was hospitalised with pneumonia, kidney complications, and respiratory failure.
He remained in the hospital for over a month, making a brief public appearance before returning to the Vatican under continued medical care. Throughout his papacy, he dealt with mobility issues, required s¥rgert for intestinal problems, and often used a wheelchair in public.
Despite being viewed as progressive, his 2024 endorsement of the Vatican document Dignitas Infinita reaffirmed the Church’s opposition to gender reassignment, ab+rtion, and surrogacy, sparking mixed reactions.
Now, as over 1.4 billion Catholics around the world mourn, preparations for the conclave to elect his successor will begin within weeks. Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of humility, reform, and a Church more open to dialogue than ever before.
