Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, dies at 88

Argentine pontiff Pope Francis, known for modernizing the Catholic Church and challenging tradition, passes away at 88.

Pope Francis greets the faithful during his weekly general audience at St. Peter's Square on September 13, 2023, in Vatican City. Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Vatican City — Pope Francis, who served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church for more than a decade and became a symbol of progressive reform and humility, died on Monday at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that the pontiff passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. local time, just a day after making a final appearance to greet the faithful during Easter celebrations at Saint Peter’s Basilica.

The passing of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and the first pontiff from the Americas, marks the end of a historic era for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. His death came after a lengthy hospital stay due to double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli hospital. Though he appeared to recover and was discharged on March 23, his health rapidly declined again in the days that followed.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the current camerlengo responsible for managing Vatican affairs during the papal interregnum, announced the death of the pontiff through a solemn statement on the Vatican’s Telegram channel. "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church," said Cardinal Farrell.

A reformer rooted in humility

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis brought a unique perspective to the papacy. His leadership was defined by compassion, humility, and a deep commitment to social justice. He often described himself as a "humble pastor" and eschewed the traditional papal opulence, choosing instead to live in the modest Vatican guesthouse rather than the Apostolic Palace.

He was elected pope in March 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, who had become the first pope in more than six centuries to resign from office. Francis quickly distinguished himself from his predecessor with a more informal style and a commitment to outreach over doctrine.

Among his first acts as pope was washing the feet of inmates, including women and Muslims, during Holy Week rituals. This symbolic act set the tone for a papacy that would continually seek to reach those on the margins of society.

Champion of the voiceless and protector of the planet

Pope Francis became a global voice for the poor, migrants, and the environment. His landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ in 2015 called for urgent action on climate change, framing environmental stewardship as a moral responsibility. He often spoke out against economic inequality, the arms trade, and political indifference to the suffering of refugees.

He also urged the Church to be more inclusive, famously asking, "Who am I to judge?" when questioned about gay priests early in his tenure. While this openness earned him admiration from many, it also fueled criticism from conservative factions within the Church who felt his approach diluted long-standing doctrines.

Mixed legacy on abuse and doctrine

Pope Francis inherited a Church deeply wounded by decades of clerical sex abuse scandals. He took several steps to address the crisis, including reforming Vatican laws and increasing accountability. Still, some victims and advocacy groups felt he did not go far enough in ensuring justice or transparency.

Under his leadership, the Vatican underwent major structural reforms aimed at financial transparency and administrative modernization. He also pushed for greater involvement of laypeople, including women, in Church governance.

Yet, his tenure was not without doctrinal controversy. Critics accused him of creating ambiguity around issues like communion for divorced Catholics, contraception, and homosexuality. Senior cardinals, including some of his own appointees, openly questioned his decisions in what became a growing ideological divide within the Church.

Final months and decision to rest beyond the Vatican

Despite his declining health, Pope Francis maintained an active schedule. Even after undergoing multiple surgeries, including a hernia operation and colon surgery, he continued to receive foreign dignitaries and made pastoral visits abroad. His final overseas journey took him to Mongolia and several Asia-Pacific nations in September 2024, where he was greeted by massive crowds.

His physical ailments—ranging from respiratory issues to knee pain that left him wheelchair-bound—did not deter him from his duties. However, concern about his well-being grew in recent months, especially as he appeared visibly breathless during public appearances and increasingly delegated homily readings to aides.

He had long hinted that he might follow Benedict XVI’s example and resign if his health rendered him unable to serve. Nevertheless, he remained in office until his death, stating as recently as January that his "heart still beats for the people."

In a move consistent with his ethos of humility, Pope Francis chose not to be buried in the traditional three-layered papal coffin or the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. Instead, he will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a site closely associated with his early days as pope and his devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Centuries-old rites begin as Church enters mourning

With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church now enters the interregnum, a period of mourning and transition governed by centuries-old protocols. Cardinal Farrell, as camerlengo, will oversee the day-to-day administration of Vatican affairs until the conclave of cardinals convenes to elect the next pope.

Funeral arrangements are expected to draw heads of state, religious leaders, and millions of pilgrims from around the world. The conclave, composed of cardinal-electors under the age of 80, will gather in the Sistine Chapel to select Francis’s successor through a series of secret ballots.

The unfinished path of synodality

Perhaps one of the most enduring parts of Pope Francis’s legacy is the Synod on Synodality, a global consultation process launched in 2021 aimed at making the Church more participatory and less hierarchical. The multi-year process was still underway at the time of his death and has raised hopes of a more democratized future for Catholic governance.

However, the synod also exposed internal tensions, especially with conservative bishops and theologians who expressed concern about possible changes to Church teachings. Francis often encouraged debate and dialogue, but his death now leaves those reforms incomplete and their fate uncertain.

A papacy remembered for its humanity

Whether adored or criticized, Pope Francis left an indelible mark on the Church and the world. He redefined what it means to be pope in the modern age—stepping out from behind the walls of the Vatican and into the lives of everyday people.

His decision to communicate in simple language, his outreach to non-Christians, and his relentless advocacy for compassion over condemnation brought him global admiration. His Sunday Angelus messages often ended with two requests: to pray for him and to enjoy a good lunch—testaments to his humility and sense of humor.

As the bells of Saint Peter’s Basilica toll for Pope Francis, his papacy will be remembered not only for its reforms and controversies but also for its warmth, humanity, and the quiet power of a man who walked closely with the people he served.