Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died Monday at the age of 88.
His papacy, marked by compassion, simplicity, and global outreach, also became a lightning rod for criticism, particularly from conservative Catholics who resisted his progressive rhetoric and reforms.
The Vatican announced his death early Monday morning, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, delivering the statement from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, the residence where Francis had chosen to live instead of the papal apartments. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Farrell said.
Bells rang solemnly across Rome, signaling the passing of a pope who had left a deep and complicated mark on the Church. Francis had been battling chronic respiratory issues throughout his later years, a condition worsened by the removal of part of one lung when he was young.
His final health crisis began in February 2025, when he was admitted to Gemelli Hospital with a severe respiratory infection. The illness progressed into double pneumonia, keeping him hospitalized for 38 days—the longest of his 12-year papacy.