Pope Francis dies at 88: Voice for the poor who transformed the Catholic Church

Pope Francis died at 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. He passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. His death was officially announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who praised the late pontiff for dedicating his entire life to serving God, the Church, and especially the poor and marginalized. The Pope had been battling health challenges for several years. He was hospitalized on February 14, 2025, with bronchitis, which later developed into bilateral pneumonia. After spending 38 days at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital, he returned to the Vatican to recover, but his condition continued to decline. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis had long struggled with respiratory issues. He lost part of a lung in his youth due to a severe infection and continued to face complications as he aged. In 2023, he canceled a scheduled trip to the UAE due to influenza and lung inflammation. Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church. He was widely admired for his humility, his focus on social justice, and his efforts to reform the Church. Before his passing, he approved a simplified version of the papal funeral rites, aiming to reflect a life of service and faith rather than power. Funeral arrangements are yet to be officially announced. Vatican News