Vatican City — Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first pope from the Americas, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced today.
The Holy Father passed away peacefully in the Vatican, surrounded by close aides and clergy. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but his health had been a growing concern in recent years due to several hospitalizations and a series of medical procedures.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis was elected to the papacy on March 13, 2013, following the unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He became the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years.
His papacy was marked by a strong emphasis on humility, social justice, interfaith dialogue, and care for the marginalized. He was widely regarded as a reformer who sought to make the Church more inclusive and compassionate, famously declaring, “Who am I to judge?” when asked about LGBTQ Catholics early in his tenure.
Pope Francis also championed environmental stewardship, notably publishing the encyclical Laudato Si’ in 2015, which called for urgent global action to combat climate change and protect the planet.
Global leaders, religious figures, and millions of faithful have begun mourning his death, with tributes pouring in from every corner of the world. The Vatican has announced that preparations are underway for a public viewing and funeral Mass, which will be held in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinals from around the world will soon gather in conclave to elect the next pope, a decision that will shape the future of the Catholic Church at a pivotal time.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of compassion, dialogue, and bold efforts to bring the Church closer to the people.
