Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the first pontiff from Latin America, has died at the age of 88. His death was announced by the Vatican on April 21, 2025. Francis served as pope for 12 years following his election in 2013.
Early Life and Background
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was the son of Italian immigrants. Before entering religious life, Bergoglio worked in a variety of roles, including as a chemical technician and janitor. He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1958, was ordained a priest in 1969, and later became Argentina’s Jesuit provincial superior. Bergoglio was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and became archbishop in 1998. In 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated him to the College of Cardinals. During this time, he became known for his low-profile lifestyle and emphasis on pastoral work.
Election and Role as Pope
Bergoglio was elected pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He took the name Francis, becoming the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. As pope, he addressed a wide range of global and internal Church issues. His papacy included efforts related to governance reform, changes in tone regarding social issues, and statements on topics such as economic inequality, the environment, and immigration. He also focused on expanding dialogue within the Church and emphasized the concept of synodality, or shared decision-making among bishops and laypeople.
Reception and Controversy
Pope Francis’s leadership was met with a range of responses within and outside the Church. Supporters pointed to his approach to Church engagement and reform initiatives, while critics raised concerns over doctrinal consistency and his management of sexual abuse cases. His positions on issues such as divorce, same-sex unions, and climate change also prompted debate within the global Catholic community. During his time as pope, Francis continued efforts to increase financial transparency and restructured elements of Vatican governance. Some of these measures led to institutional changes, while others remained ongoing at the time of his death.
Final Years
In his final years, Francis experienced health challenges, including respiratory and mobility issues. He was hospitalized in early 2025 and appeared publicly for the last time on Easter Sunday. The Vatican announced his passing shortly thereafter. With his death, the College of Cardinals will begin the process of electing a new pope through a conclave held in Vatican City. Pope Francis’s tenure marked a notable period in the modern history of the Catholic Church, characterized by a range of initiatives and responses that will be analyzed and evaluated in the years ahead.
You can read the official biography on the Vatican website.
