Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a globally recognized figure in the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday.
His death brings an end to a 12-year tenure as head of the Church, during which he pursued reform and tackled deep-rooted challenges within the Vatican.
In recent years, Pope Francis has been battling health complications, including multiple surgeries, which have limited his physical abilities and public engagements.
Funeral arrangements and details about the selection of the next pope are yet to be shared by the Vatican.
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Just a day before his death, Pope Francis made a heartfelt plea for an “immediate ceasefire in Gaza” during his Easter Sunday address in Vatican City, also calling attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding due to Israel’s ongoing military operations.
He urged peace, the release of hostages, and international solidarity with both Palestinians and Israelis.
Elected on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, a rare event that led to two popes living simultaneously within the Vatican.
Throughout his papacy, Francis focused on simplifying the Church’s image, choosing to live in a modest guesthouse rather than the traditional Apostolic Palace, citing “psychological health” as his reason.
His leadership was marked by a strong emphasis on social justice, environmental care, and interfaith dialogue, as well as confronting issues like clerical abuse and bureaucratic inefficiencies within the Vatican.
His leadership style earned him admiration for his humility and outreach to marginalized communities such as migrants and the poor, though it also drew criticism.
Some conservative Church members saw his approach as too progressive, while certain reform advocates believed he hadn’t gone far enough.
During his time as pope, he traveled extensively, using his voice to advocate for peace and unity across faiths and cultures.
His vision of a more compassionate and accessible Church made him one of the most influential religious leaders in recent history.
Following his death, choosing a new pope now falls to the College of Cardinals, most of whom were appointed by Francis himself.