Vatican City, Monday — Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative yet polarizing figure in the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement released Monday.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected as the 266th pope in March 2013, becoming the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. His decade-long papacy was characterized by bold reforms, outspoken advocacy for the marginalized, and efforts to modernize an institution often viewed as resistant to change.
“Pope Francis passed away peacefully in the Apostolic Palace,” said Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni. “He was a shepherd who walked with the people, challenged the powerful, and brought the Church closer to the peripheries of society.”
From the outset of his reign, Pope Francis broke from many traditional norms. He chose to live in a modest Vatican guesthouse instead of the grand papal apartments and prioritized humility and simplicity over ceremony. His message centered on mercy, inclusion, and environmental stewardship, earning him praise as a progressive force within the Church.
However, his papacy was not without controversy. His attempts to decentralize Church authority, address clerical sexual abuse, and include more diverse voices in Church leadership sparked resistance from conservative factions within the Vatican and beyond. Tensions grew as he sought to steer the Church away from rigid dogma toward a more compassionate, people-focused approach.
Under his leadership, the Church saw renewed engagement with social justice issues, including climate change, migration, economic inequality, and interfaith dialogue. His encyclicals, Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, became rallying points for Catholics and global leaders alike.
As tributes pour in from around the world, many are remembering Pope Francis as a pope who dared to challenge the status quo. “He was a voice for the voiceless, a servant leader who truly embodied the Gospel,” said Cardinal Leonardo Sánchez, one of his longtime allies.
The Vatican has announced that funeral preparations are underway and more details will be released in the coming days. Cardinal Camerlengo Giovanni Battista Re will oversee the interregnum period until a new pope is elected through the traditional conclave of cardinals.
Pope Francis is survived by a legacy of compassion, courage, and controversy—an era that redefined the papacy in the 21st century.
