Pope Francis fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 88 years old today, April 21, 2025.
Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, acting administrator of the Vatican, officially announced the death of Pope Francis with the following written statement:
“Dear sisters and brothers, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the House of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.
He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faith, courage, and universal love—especially for the poorest and most marginalized. With boundless gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the merciful and all-embracing love of God.”
View of St. Peter’s Square following Pope Francis’ death https://t.co/PEJU0kOTSe
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 21, 2025
The final years of Pope Francis’ life were marked by serious health problems and repeated hospitalizations.
On February 14, the Pontiff was admitted to the hospital for bronchitis treatment. A few days later, doctors announced that he was suffering from pneumonia and required blood transfusions, as tests revealed low platelet levels—a condition linked to anemia.
On February 22, the Vatican announced that his condition had become critical due to a prolonged respiratory crisis requiring high-flow oxygen therapy. The following day, doctors also detected mild kidney failure.
The Pope remained hospitalized until the end of February, with doctors describing his condition as “complicated.” On March 6, his voice was heard for the first time since his hospitalization, in an audio message in which he thanked those praying for him and added: “I am with you from here.”
His final public appearance
On Easter Sunday, he appeared in public and greeted the faithful, just one day after meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.
Specifically, after the conclusion of the service, Pope Francis blessed the 50,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square from the small “papa mobile” jeep he regularly used during official ceremonies. Shortly before that, with a faint voice, he had wished everyone “Happy Easter” from the balcony of St. Peter’s.
Early Life and Education
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is the eldest of five children of Mario José Bergoglio, an Italian immigrant railway worker, and Regina María Sívori, a homemaker of Italian descent. Raised in a devout Catholic family, young Jorge Mario developed an early interest in faith and service.
He studied chemistry and worked as a technician in a food laboratory before feeling the call to the priesthood. In 1958, he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), beginning his religious formation. He studied philosophy and theology in Argentina and was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969, by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano.
Rise in the Church
After ordination, Father Bergoglio served as a teacher of literature and psychology at Jesuit schools. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina (1973-1979) and later rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel.
During Argentina’s Dirty War (1976-1983), his leadership was tested as he navigated the challenges of military dictatorship, advocating for human rights and assisting those persecuted by the regime.
In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, and in 1998, he became Archbishop of Buenos Aires, succeeding Cardinal Antonio Quarracino. In this role, Bergoglio became known for his humility, pastoral care, and commitment to the poor, often traveling by public transport and living in a simple apartment rather than the traditional archbishop’s residence.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated him to the College of Cardinals, naming him Cardinal-Priest of San Roberto Bellarmino. As a cardinal, he played a crucial role in advocating for social justice, interfaith dialogue, and outreach to the marginalized.
Election as Pope
Following Pope Benedict XVI’s historic resignation in February 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013—the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European Pope in over 1,200 years. He took the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, symbolizing humility, simplicity, and care for the poor.
Pontificate and Key Initiatives
Since his election, Pope Francis has emphasized a more inclusive and compassionate Church, focusing on:
- Social justice and poverty alleviation – He has consistently advocated for economic justice, calling for a more equitable distribution of wealth and denouncing consumerism and greed.
- Environmental stewardship – In 2015, he published the encyclical “Laudato Si’”, calling for urgent action on climate change and ecological sustainability.
- Interfaith dialogue – He has worked to strengthen relations with Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Jews, and other religious communities, emphasizing peace and mutual understanding.
- Church reform – He has sought to modernize Vatican governance, increase transparency in financial affairs, and address the clergy abuse crisis with stricter accountability measures.
- Pastoral approach to LGBTQ+ and marginalized groups – While upholding traditional doctrine, he has urged greater compassion and inclusion, famously saying: “Who am I to judge?” regarding gay Catholics.
Challenges and Legacy
Pope Francis has faced criticism from both conservative and progressive factions within the Church—some view his reforms as too radical, while others believe they do not go far enough. Despite this, he remains one of the most influential global religious leaders, often addressing issues beyond the Church, including migration, human rights, and world peace.
