Pope Francis, the Argentine pontiff who reshaped the Catholic Church with his humble approach and focus on mercy, died Monday at the Vatican, just one day after appearing before faithful gathered for Easter celebrations. He was 88.
The Vatican announced his passing with deep sorrow, bringing to a close an 11-year papacy marked by efforts to modernize the Church while emphasizing care for the poor, environmental stewardship, and a more inclusive approach to Catholicism.
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became a transformative figure after his historic election in 2013 as the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the global Catholic Church of 1.3 billion followers.
His final public appearance came on Easter Sunday at St. Peter’s Square, where the visibly frail pontiff blessed thousands of gathered faithful. Unable to deliver his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) address himself, he watched as an aide read the message while he sat nearby. Despite his weakened condition, he managed to offer a brief greeting, telling the crowd: “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter.
In a poignant final gesture that embodied his papacy, Francis was driven around the square in his popemobile, stopping several times to bless babies brought to him by security personnel—a characteristic act reflecting his deep connection with ordinary people.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, said in a statement: “The Holy Father passed peacefully in his residence at the Vatican. His final day was spent in prayer with those closest to him. Even in his final hours, he expressed concern for the faithful and for peace in our troubled world.”
Throughout his papacy, Francis encountered significant health challenges. In recent years, he increasingly relied on a wheelchair due to knee problems and sciatica. He underwent colon surgery in 2021 and battled respiratory infections that required hospital stays. Despite these challenges, he maintained a grueling schedule of audiences, overseas trips, and liturgical celebrations.
Francis’s legacy will be remembered for his efforts to reform the Vatican’s finances and bureaucracy, his historic environmental encyclical “Laudato Si’,” and his attempts to address clerical sexual abuse within the Church. His approachable style and choice to live in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the papal apartments endeared him to many Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
World leaders have begun offering tributes to the pontiff who frequently played a role in international diplomacy. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed condolences, noting that despite their differences on some issues, he “deeply respected the Pope’s commitment to peace and human dignity.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Francis “a moral compass during turbulent times.
From Buenos Aires to the global stage, Francis’s journey was unconventional. As archbishop in Argentina, he was known for his simple lifestyle, taking public transportation and living in a modest apartment. After his election, he continued this approach, choosing a Ford Focus over the papal limousine and wearing plain black shoes instead of the traditional red papal footwear.
Perhaps most significantly, Francis shifted the Church’s tone on contentious issues without changing doctrine. His famous response regarding gay Catholics—”Who am I to judge?”—signaled a more welcoming approach. He streamlined marriage annulment procedures and emphasized pastoral care for divorced and remarried Catholics.
Catholic historian Dr. Massimo Faggioli noted: “Pope Francis didn’t rewrite Church doctrine, but he fundamentally changed how the Church engages with modern challenges. His emphasis on mercy over rigid rules will have lasting impact on Catholicism.
Francis’s death triggers the ancient process to elect his successor. Cardinals from around the world will gather in Rome for a conclave in the coming weeks. The College of Cardinals has been significantly reshaped by Francis’s appointments, with many new cardinals coming from the Global South, potentially influencing the direction of the next papacy.
Preparations are underway for what will likely be one of the largest funeral ceremonies in recent history. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced that the Pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica beginning Wednesday, allowing the faithful to pay their respects before funeral Mass on Saturday.
Among those expected to attend are heads of state, religious leaders from various faiths, and millions of ordinary Catholics who viewed Francis as a champion of the marginalized.
Sister María González of the Missionaries of Charity, who worked closely with initiatives supported by the Pope, reflected: “He taught us that the Church must be a field hospital for the wounded, not a museum for saints. He lived this belief every day.”
As Catholics worldwide mourn their spiritual leader, Francis’s final appearance on Easter—blessing children from his wheelchair—provides a fitting image of a papacy defined by accessibility, humility, and concern for the vulnerable. His pontificate leaves the Catholic Church at a crossroads, having begun significant reforms that his successor will need to address.
The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica now toll in mourning for the pontiff who sought to build bridges rather than walls and who constantly reminded his flock that “reality is more important than ideas.”
