‎Pope Francis dies at 88: Vatican announces passing of history-making pontiff

‎Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and one of the most transformative leaders in modern Catholic history, has died at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed the Pope passed away following complications from pneumonia, which developed during a hospitalisation for a persistent infection.

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Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on Jan. 19, 2025.

‎Andrew Medichini/AP

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‎The Argentinian-born pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had been hospitalised multiple times in recent years due to a series of chronic illnesses, including respiratory issues and gastrointestinal surgeries. Despite his fragile health, Francis made a surprise appearance just yesterday, Easter Sunday, greeting the faithful from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica and delivering his final Urbi et Orbi blessing.

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‎The Vatican announced that Pope Francis's body will lie in state at St Peter’s Basilica during a formal mourning period. In a notable departure from tradition, he will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino district, reflecting his long devotion to the Marian shrine.

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‎In accordance with papal protocol, a conclave to elect Francis's successor will not be convened for at least 15 days. The College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote on a new pope, amid global speculation over the direction of the Church post-Francis.

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‎A Papacy of Firsts and Fractures

‎Elected in March 2013 following the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Francis was the first non-European pope in over 1,300 years and the first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy. He quickly gained international attention for his humility, opting to live in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the traditional papal apartments, and for washing the feet of prisoners and migrants.

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‎Francis also proved to be a divisive reformer. He championed causes including environmental stewardship, poverty alleviation, and the rights of migrants. His papacy was marked by a more compassionate tone on previously rigid issues, including divorce and same-sex blessings, while still upholding traditional doctrine on abortion.

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‎Notably, he opened doors to transgender individuals seeking baptism and confirmed his stance against abortion in a 2024 Vatican text that described it as “an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense.”

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‎A Life of Service and Struggle

‎Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, Bergoglio worked as a nightclub bouncer and chemical technician before becoming a Jesuit priest. Known in Argentina as the "Slum Bishop," he was deeply committed to the poor and marginalised. He was named Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.

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‎His early years were not without controversy. Critics accused him of failing to openly oppose Argentina’s military dictatorship during the country’s “Dirty War.” While he later issued an apology on behalf of the Argentine church and quietly advocated for mercy, detractors say he evaded public accountability for years.

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‎Health Battles and Final Days

‎Francis’s later years were marked by persistent health issues. He underwent multiple hospitalisations, including for bronchitis, hernia surgery, and colon complications. In December 2024 and January 2025, he suffered two falls, the latter leaving his arm in a sling. His history of respiratory problems was exacerbated by a partially removed lung from his youth.

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‎Despite these challenges, the Pope continued to travel extensively. His final foreign tour in 2024 took him to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore. In his last public speech abroad, delivered in Brussels, he condemned clerical sexual abuse and reiterated the Church’s obligation to confront evil transparently.

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‎A Legacy Etched in Reform and Reflection

‎Pope Francis leaves behind a complex yet indelible legacy. He was a pastor who embraced modernity without abandoning tradition, and a leader who sought unity within a Church often divided.

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‎In the twilight of his life, he clashed with world leaders including Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, unafraid to speak out on human rights, climate change, and inequality. His Easter meeting yesterday with US Vice President JD Vance—brief though it was—was a final act in a papacy defined as much by diplomacy as devotion.

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‎As the Catholic world enters mourning, one phrase echoes across St Peter’s Square: Viva il Papa. Long live the Pope—indeed, his influence is certain to endure far beyond his time.