Pope Francis died at age 88 on April 21, 2025, the Vatican announced.
“At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a video message released by the Vatican.
The 88-year-old pontiff faced many health issues in recent months. He was hospitalized for bronchitis treatment on February 14. The Vatican later reported he had bilateral pneumonia and needed blood transfusions due to low platelet levels.
His health worsened on February 22 when the Vatican announced he was in critical condition after a “prolonged respiratory crisis” requiring high-flow oxygen. The next day, Vatican officials reported Pope Francis showed “initial, mild” kidney failure.
Thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square to pray for his recovery. Others left flowers and cards at the Rome hospital where he received treatment.
The Pope spent 38 days in the hospital before being discharged on March 23. He made his first public appearance in five weeks, smiling and giving a thumbs-up to crowds outside Gemelli hospital. He then returned to the Vatican, stopping at his favorite basilica.
Doctors prescribed two months of rest and recovery. They noted that while his pneumonia had been treated, Pope Francis would continue taking medication for a fungal lung infection and undergo respiratory and physical therapy.
Health problems were common during his papacy. As a young man in Argentina, he had part of one lung removed. In his later years, he used a wheelchair or cane and limited his public speaking while fighting various respiratory conditions.
In 2021, he had surgery to remove part of his colon. In June 2023, he underwent an operation for an abdominal hernia that caused “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church.
During his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis chose not to live in the ornate papal apartments used by previous popes. He said he preferred living in a community setting for his “psychological health.”
Pope Francis took office as the Church dealt with a child sex abuse scandal and internal Vatican conflicts.
His time as pope featured tension between different Church factions. Conservatives claimed he abandoned important traditions, while progressives felt he hadn’t done enough to change the 2,000-year-old institution.
Pope Francis became known worldwide, drawing large crowds during his international trips as he promoted dialogue between different faiths and peace.
His focus on helping marginalized groups, especially migrants and people in poverty, earned him the nickname “People’s Pope.”
In 2016, he washed the feet of refugees from different religions at an asylum center outside Rome.
Pope Francis took progressive stances on many issues, from climate change to wealth inequality.
His approach to the LGBTQ community was different from previous popes, starting with his comment to reporters, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge them?”
However, in April 2024, he signed the text “Dignitas Infinita” (Infinite Dignity), which restated the Vatican’s opposition to gender reassignment, surrogacy, abortion, and euthanasia.
Pope Francis appointed nearly 80 percent of the cardinal electors who will choose the next pope. This increases the chance that his successor will continue his policies despite opposition from traditionalists.
