Pope Francis, the beloved head of the Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88. According to a statement released by the Vatican, the pontiff died at 7:35 a.m. on Monday, just one day after making a hopeful and uplifting appearance at Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell shared in the official statement, published on the Vatican’s Telegram channel. “This morning at 7:35 a.m. (0535 GMT), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
Pope Francis’s final public appearance came as a surprise and a joy to thousands gathered in Vatican City. Despite ongoing health struggles and a recent serious illness, he greeted the faithful with a warm wave from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica and delivered his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” Easter blessing, calling for freedom of thought and greater tolerance across the world.
The pontiff had narrowly survived two near-fatal battles with pneumonia earlier this year. After spending 38 days hospitalized, he was discharged on March 23, and his Easter Sunday appearance was seen as a sign of hope and resilience.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he was elected Pope in 2013 at age 76. His papacy marked several historic milestones: he was the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, and the first non-European Pope in over 1,200 years — the last being Gregory III, who died in 741.
Throughout his tenure, Pope Francis was known for his commitment to reform, his compassion for the marginalized, and his deep humility. He maintained a wide appeal that bridged both progressive and traditional corners of the Catholic faith.
Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, who made history himself by becoming the first Pope to voluntarily resign in nearly six centuries. For almost a decade, two Popes resided within the Vatican Gardens — a symbol of transition and continuity within the Church.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of courage, compassion, and conviction — a shepherd who remained faithful to his mission until the end.
