Pope Francis Dies at 88, Vatican Confirms

Pope Francis, the beloved leader of the Catholic Church known around the world for his humility, compassion, and fierce advocacy for the poor, has died at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his passing early Monday morning.

The news was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who shared with emotion:
“With deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father, Francis. At 7:35 a.m., the Bishop of Rome returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”

Just a day before, the Pope stood before a sea of faithful in St. Peter’s Square, offering Easter blessings with the same quiet strength that defined his more than a decade-long papacy.

Now, that square is filled again—but this time, with candlelight, tears, and whispered prayers.

A Pope for the PeopleBorn Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was never a man of pomp. Before he became pope in 2013—the first from South America—he was a bishop who took public buses, cooked his own meals, and spent his time with the poor in the slums of Buenos Aires.

As Pope, he brought that same spirit to the Vatican. He chose not to live in the grand Apostolic Palace but in a modest guesthouse.

He washed the feet of refugees, dined with the homeless, and consistently reminded the world that the Church’s mission was first to serve.

He once told reporters, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?” That sentence alone sparked conversations in Catholic homes across the globe—and shifted hearts.

To many, he wasn’t just a pope. He was a voice of empathy in a divided world. A leader who made people feel seen—especially those who often felt forgotten.

His Health CrisisPope Francis in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. Pic: Reuters
The last years of Francis’ life were marked by illness. He had already lost part of a lung as a young man, and in his final years, was frequently in and out of hospitals.

In February, he was admitted for severe respiratory complications and spent 38 days in care. Despite the setbacks, he kept going.

Even from his hospital bed, he recorded messages of hope, thanking people for their prayers and saying, “I am with you from here.”

He returned to the Vatican in March and, ever the pastor, appeared briefly to wave and smile at the crowd. But behind that smile was a body growing tired.

On Saturday, just before Easter, he met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. On Sunday, he stood before thousands once again. And by Monday morning, he was gone.

His death marks the end of a transformative papacy. Now, the Church begins the process of choosing a new pope. But today, that feels far away. People across the world are simply mourning a man they loved.

From Rome to Rio, from Manila to Nairobi, candles are being lit. Stories are being told. And a deep sense of loss is settling in.

He was far from perfect—his papacy had its tensions and contradictions—but he never claimed to be flawless. Instead, he invited the world to walk with him, to question, to believe, and to serve.

The Legacy He LeavesFrancis never sought power. He sought people. The single mother. The refugee. The prisoner. The homeless man on the street.

He reminded the Church that Jesus walked among the least of these—and that the Church should do the same.

He once said: “The thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful.”

And that’s exactly what he did.

Today, the world says goodbye to a man who tried, with all his heart, to bring a little more grace into a broken world.

May he rest in peace.