Pope Francis, renowned for being a steadfast advocate for the poor and a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, according to an announcement from the Vatican.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, made the announcement on Monday morning.
“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God,” the statement read.
Francis, who made history in 2013 as the first Latin-American and one of the oldest popes ever elected, passed away weeks after being discharged from a hospital in Rome, where he had been treated for a serious case of pneumonia affecting both lungs.
Doctors had reported that his condition had stabilized, allowing him to return to his Vatican residence at Casa Santa Marta to continue recovering. Just two weeks after leaving the hospital, he surprised many with an appearance at St. Peter’s Square, bringing joy to the faithful.
His passing now paves the way for a global gathering of cardinals in Rome, who will mourn his death and begin the process of selecting the next pope, a decision that could shape the Church’s future direction.
Francis stood out as an outsider and the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years. Throughout his tenure, he remained a vocal champion for the marginalized, the environment, and migrants. However, deep divisions over issues such as same-sex relationships and the Church’s handling of abuse scandals marked his papacy.
In his final months, the pope strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration deportation policies, reinforcing his unwavering support for migrants. Francis, who positioned his leadership in opposition to rising nationalist populism, was frequently challenged by powerful conservative Catholic factions in the United States.
Source: CNN
