VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, the first pope from Latin America and a powerful voice for the poor and the planet, has died at age 88, the Vatican announced Monday morning. The Argentine-born spiritual leader, who led the Catholic Church for more than a decade, passed away at the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery following ongoing health struggles.
His death marks the end of a papacy that sought to shift the tone of the Catholic Church toward humility, mercy, and global outreach, while navigating internal tensions over doctrine and tradition.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected to the papacy in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI — the first pope to step down in nearly 600 years. Taking the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the pontiff signaled early on that his priorities would center on simplicity, compassion, and advocacy for the marginalized.
In his later years, Francis faced a number of health issues, including chronic knee pain and complications from surgery. Despite these challenges, he continued to travel widely, including trips to South Sudan, Iraq, and Mongolia, emphasizing dialogue and peace in regions often overlooked by the global stage.
Pope Francis met with Vice President J.D. Vance at his residence in Casa Santa Marta on Sunday, just before giving his Easter message and blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
With the pontiff’s passing, the Roman Catholic Church enters a formal period of mourning. Preparations will begin for the conclave of cardinals, who will gather in secrecy at the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope. Until then, governance of the Church falls to the Camerlengo, a role currently held by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.