Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and guide to approximately 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, has passed away at the age of 88. After a prolonged battle with numerous health ailments and a recent 38-day hospital stay for the treatment of double pneumonia, the Pope succumbed to his conditions a month after being discharged. The sorrowful news was confirmed by Vatican News in a poignant post, stating, "Pope Francis breathed his last on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the venerable age of 88, within the confines of his residence at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta."
His demise came on the heels of a meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and the delivery of his annual Easter address, the echoes of which still resonated in the hearts of the faithful. In a heartfelt statement issued by the Vatican, Cardinal Farrell imparted the tragic news, "My dear brethren, it is with profound grief that I announce the passing of our beloved Holy Father Francis. At precisely 7:35 am this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, embarked on his eternal journey back to the house of the Father. His entire existence was a testament to selfless devotion to the Lord and His Church."
The statement continued, "He instructed us to embody the values of the Gospel with steadfastness, bravery, and boundless love, particularly towards the most impoverished and marginalized. With boundless gratitude for his unwavering example as a genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful embrace of the One and Triune God."
On February 14th, the Vatican disclosed that the Pope had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome. Initially diagnosed with bronchitis, his condition deteriorated into double pneumonia over the following fortnight, albeit interspersed with fleeting moments of reported improvement. An audio message, believed to be recorded from his hospital bed on March 6th, circulated, in which the Pope expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the prayers offered on his behalf from St. Peter’s Square.
"I thank you from the depths of my heart for the prayers you offer for my health," he said in his native Spanish. "Though I am with you in spirit from here, may God bless you, and may the Virgin Mary protect you. Thank you."
March 13th marked a poignant milestone for Francis—the 12th anniversary of his papacy. Despite still being hospitalized, a cake adorned with flickering candles was brought to his room to celebrate, as recounted by the Vatican. Francis, who had undergone the removal of a portion of one of his lungs in his youth, had sought treatment for bronchitis multiple times throughout his life.
The late Pope had also faced other health scares, including colon surgery in June 2021, and had openly shared about his near-fatal encounter with the flu at the age of 21 in his book, 'Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future.' In it, he also reflected on navigating the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"When I was gravely ill at the age of twenty-one, I experienced my first taste of limitation, pain, and solitude. This transformational experience altered my perspective on life," he wrote. "For months, I was in a state of disarray, uncertain of my identity and the likelihood of my survival. Even the doctors were uncertain of my fate."
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis, etched his name into history in 2013 when he was elected as the first pontiff hailing from the Americas, the first Jesuit to hold the papacy, and the first non-European pope since the 8th century. Diverging from the footsteps of many of his predecessors, Francis opted not to reside in the opulent papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace but instead chose the humble confines of the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse. This decision, as cited by Catholic News Service, partially stemmed from his desire to "live in harmony with his fellow brothers and sisters."
Austen Ivereigh, Francis' biographer, revealed to PEOPLE magazine that "the very choice to adopt a different lifestyle, away from the traditional papal quarters, instantaneously did away with all intermediaries." Initially, this move incited considerable fury among some. "People were incensed. They harbored deep resentment towards it," Ivereigh elaborated.
Furthermore, Ivereigh recounted another group in Rome who were less than pleased with Francis' ascension: the clerical tailors. Francis' newfound embrace of simplicity served as a catalyst, prompting the clergy to abandon their more ornate attire. According to Ivereigh, one cardinal was even overheard remarking that "simplicity has become the new elegance." In fact, for a couple of weeks after being named pope, Francis continued to don his usual dark trousers beneath his white cassock. When advised to switch to white trousers, he quipped, "Don't be absurd, I'm not an ice cream vendor," the author added.
Throughout his papacy, Francis has navigated his role with a profound emphasis on humility and a steadfast commitment to aiding the impoverished. He frequently echoed the sentiment, "My people are poor, and I am one of them," as noted in his Vatican biography.
Born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents—Mario, an accountant, and Regina Sivori, a devoted homemaker who cared for their five children—Francis' life journey was marked by diversity. Before graduating as a chemical technician and choosing the priestly vocation, he held numerous jobs, including that of a janitor and a nightclub bouncer, according to The Los Angeles Times.
He pursued his studies in Chile and Argentina and later obtained a theology degree from San Miguel's Colegio de San José, following a brief stint teaching literature and psychology at Immaculate Conception College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Colegio del Salvatore in Buenos Aires. Ordained as a priest in 1969, he spent subsequent decades serving in various capacities before being appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II bestowed upon him the dignity of a Cardinal, and according to his biography, he humbly requested the faithful to refrain from traveling to Rome to celebrate this honor. Instead, he encouraged them to donate the money they would have spent on the journey to the less fortunate. It was under unexpected circumstances, following Pope Benedict XVI's surprise resignation a month prior, that he was elected Pope in March 2013.
His biographer revealed to PEOPLE that Francis possessed a "phenomenal work ethic," though it would be inaccurate to label him a "workaholic." "This has been a constant aspect of his character for decades," Ivereigh added. "Those who work alongside him attest that he hasn't taken a holiday since the 1970s."
Francis would typically rise at the break of dawn, 4 a.m., dedicating the next two hours to prayer and silent meditation. By seven, he would celebrate morning Mass, followed by breakfast. His mornings were often filled with formal meetings, which could include official engagements with heads of state and other dignitaries. His afternoons, however, were reserved for even more meetings, as noted by his biographer.
Francis was renowned for voicing views that occasionally diverged from those of the Catholic Church. For instance, in a 2020 documentary, he boldly declared his support for same-sex civil unions. As reported by the New York Times and Washington Post, he stated in the documentary "Francesco," "What we need to establish is a civil union law. This will provide them with legal protection. I have advocated for this… They are children of God and deserve the right to a family. No one should be rejected or made miserable because of it."
Yet, his papacy was not devoid of controversy. In his later years, he was repeatedly accused of using homophobic slurs, prompting an apology from the Vatican. In May 2024, spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified, "On numerous occasions, the Pope has emphasized, 'There is room for everyone in the Church! No one is useless, no one is superfluous; there is room for all of us, just as we are.' The Pope has never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of a term reported by others."
The myriad sex abuse scandals that have plagued the Catholic Church and his subsequent management of them were subjects of extensive discourse. Notably, in 2016, his assertion that there existed "not a shred of evidence" implicating Bishop Juan Barros in the cover-up of abuses perpetrated by Father Fernando Karadima, a Chilean clergyman, stirred considerable controversy. Although Pope Francis subsequently offered an apology while continuing to stand by Barros, insisting on his "innocence," he acknowledged that his endorsement must have felt like a "stinging rebuke" to Karadima's victims, as reported by The Washington Post.
In 2020, Francis pledged to purge the Catholic Church of sexual abuse, vowing, "I reiterate my solidarity with the victims of any form of abuse and the church's unwavering commitment to eradicate this heinous evil."
In describing Francis' leadership style, his biographer captivates PEOPLE by illustrating that Francis often took his time meticulously considering significant decisions, yet once resolved, "he transforms into an unstoppable bulldozer." Ivereigh elaborates, "He embodies a curious blend—possessing immense authority that is palpable in his presence. Yet, it's an authority tempered with grace." He continues, "Francis has a unique way of making you feel... not as though his authority diminishes you, but rather, he carves out room for you, ensuring you feel noticed and valued. Numerous individuals attest to this quality. It's truly a remarkable aspect of his character."
