By TNS NEWS TEAM
VATICAN CITY – April 21 – Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church and its first Latin American pontiff, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
The Vatican confirmed that he died peacefully at 7:35 a.m. local time in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, following complications from a prolonged respiratory illness.
The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, during a special broadcast from Vatican City.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for more than a decade with a focus on humility, inclusion, and social justice.
His pastoral journey led him to become Archbishop of Buenos Aires and, later, a cardinal appointed by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
In 2013, following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio was elected as the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Southern Hemisphere.
He took the name Francis, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi—reflecting a deep commitment to poverty, simplicity, and care for the marginalized.
Throughout his papacy, Francis was known for reshaping the tone and priorities of the Catholic Church.
He opened doors to greater dialogue with other religions, championed the rights of refugees and the poor, and spoke forcefully on climate change and global inequality.
His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ became a landmark call for environmental stewardship, while Fratelli Tutti in 2020 underscored the importance of fraternity and solidarity in a divided world.
Even in his final years, as his health declined, Pope Francis remained a visible and active spiritual leader. He delivered his final blessing to crowds in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, just a day before his death.
His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief and remembrance from religious leaders, heads of state, and ordinary people around the world. Tributes have praised his warmth, humility, and tireless advocacy for a more compassionate and just world.
A “legacy of compassion” means that Pope Francis will be remembered for leading with empathy—always putting people first, especially the most vulnerable, and inspiring others to do the same.
As the Church prepares for a new conclave to elect his successor, Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy rooted not in grandeur, but in mercy.
He was a pope who walked among his people, listened to their struggles, and reminded the world that leadership begins with service.
May he rest in eternal peace.