Pope Francis Passes Away at 88: A Legacy of Humility and Reform

Vatican City, April 21, 2025 – Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, passed away on Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. The revered leader died at 7:35 AM in his modest apartment at Casa Santa Marta, succumbing to a stroke followed by heart failure, as confirmed by an ECG test. His death marks the end of a 12-year papacy characterized by a commitment to the marginalized and a push for institutional reform.

The pontiff’s health had been a concern in recent years, with significant challenges emerging during a severe bout of double pneumonia in February that nearly claimed his life on two occasions. Chronic conditions, including multiple bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, further complicated his well-being. Despite these struggles, Francis maintained an active public presence, appearing at St. Peter’s Square just days before his passing to bless Easter Sunday crowds.

In a departure from centuries-old Vatican tradition, Francis expressed in his will a desire for a simple burial, free of elaborate decoration, at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood. This choice reflects his deep personal devotion to the site, where he regularly prayed before and after international trips, with his last visit occurring on April 12. The costs for the burial are to be covered by an unnamed benefactor, as arranged by the pope, with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas overseeing the logistics.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Francis ascended to the papacy in March 2013, choosing a name that honored St. Francis of Assisi, symbolizing his focus on poverty, peace, and environmental stewardship. His tenure was marked by efforts to address clerical sexual abuse, promote transparency within the Vatican, and foster interfaith dialogue, though it also sparked tensions with conservative factions resistant to his reforms. His humble approach—evident in his decision to reside in the guesthouse rather than the papal apartments—endeared him to millions globally.

Following his death, Francis’s body was placed in a coffin at Casa Santa Marta’s chapel on Monday night, with plans to transfer it to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday for public viewing. Cardinals are set to convene Tuesday to determine the funeral date, expected between April 25 and 27, initiating a nine-day mourning period. As the world mourns, the process to elect the 268th pope through a conclave will soon begin, with potential successors like Cardinals Matteo Zuppi, Pietro Parolin, and Luis Antonio Tagle already under discussion. Francis’s legacy of compassion and reform will undoubtedly shape the Church’s future direction.