Pope Francis has passed away
Caleb Adeleye
Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he made history in 2013 by becoming the first Jesuit to serve as pope, the first pontiff from Latin America, and the first non-European leader of the Catholic Church in over a thousand years. Renowned for his humility and dedication to the marginalized, he famously chose to live in a modest guesthouse instead of the traditional papal apartments.
Throughout his time as pope, Francis pushed for reforms within the Church, championed environmental protection and social justice, and worked to build bridges with other religions. His approach, however, drew criticism from some conservative factions who viewed his progressive views as divisive.
In his later years, he dealt with ongoing health issues, particularly related to his lungs and breathing. Despite these challenges, he continued his papal duties—most recently appearing in public for Easter Sunday blessings—though he had begun transferring more responsibilities in private.
With his passing, attention now turns to the College of Cardinals, who will soon convene in a conclave to select the next pope. Notably, most of them were appointed by Francis himself, suggesting his influence may shape the future of the Church for years to come.
A powerful spiritual voice has been silenced, but the conversations he inspired—on compassion, leadership, inequality, and modern faith—will resonate far beyond the Vatican.
