Pope Francis, widely revered for his humility, compassion, and efforts to bridge divides across cultures and faiths, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed Monday.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” announced Cardinal Kevin Ferrell. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
Francis had been hospitalized in February 2025 for what was initially described as a respiratory tract infection. Days later, the Vatican confirmed he had been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. Over the following weeks, his health remained fragile as he battled multiple complications, including a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, low platelet levels requiring transfusions, and two episodes of acute respiratory failure. He was treated with supplemental oxygen and noninvasive mechanical ventilation during his stay.
After more than five weeks of care, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on March 23 and returned to the Vatican. His doctors warned that a full recovery would take several more months. Despite his frailty, he made a brief public appearance in St. Peter’s Square two weeks later, seated in a wheelchair and using supplemental oxygen. He also appeared on Easter Sunday from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica following a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Throughout his illness, Francis remained mentally alert and connected with the public through messages on X (formerly Twitter). “I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people,” he posted on March 2.
On March 6, he shared a pre-recorded audio message in Spanish from his residence. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square,” he said. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”
Pope Francis had long struggled with respiratory issues, having lost part of a lung at age 21. In later years, he also contended with gastrointestinal problems, undergoing surgery in 2021 to remove part of his colon, and relied increasingly on a wheelchair and cane after sustaining knee injuries in 2023.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis became the 266th pope—and the first from Latin America—on March 13, 2013. He chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his devotion to the poor and to humility.
True to his namesake, Pope Francis brought a radically humble approach to the papacy. He declined many of the traditional symbols of papal grandeur, opting instead for a simple white cassock and modest living arrangements. Upon his election, he famously paid his own hotel bill rather than sending an aide.
His papacy was marked by a deeply personal and accessible leadership style. He was known for embracing children, welcoming those with disabilities, and engaging warmly with crowds—often pausing for selfies or encouraging children to join him aboard the popemobile.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of inclusion, social justice, and moral clarity in turbulent times. His efforts to modernize the Catholic Church and expand its message of compassion reached believers and non-believers alike, making him one of the most transformative and beloved popes in recent history.
