The Vatican has just confirmed that Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88.

The pontiff had recently endured a serious bout of double pneumonia, which left him hospitalized for over a month. In a statement by the Vatican, the statement reads

"Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of our Holy Father, Francis."

A Humble Reformer

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 to Italian immigrants in Argentina, Pope Francis was elected to lead the Catholic Church in March 2013.

From the outset, he projected simplicity and humility in the grand role—choosing not to reside in the ornate papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, preferring instead a modest room in a community setting for what he called his “psychological health.”

Francis assumed the papacy at a time of crisis. The Church was reeling from sexual abuse scandals and plagued by internal conflicts within the Vatican bureaucracy. He was chosen with a clear mandate: to restore credibility and reform the Church.

Though he quickly became a global symbol of compassion and modernity, his tenure was not without controversy. Conservative factions accused him of undermining tradition, while progressives criticized him for not going far enough in reforming the 2,000-year-old institution.

A Global Spiritual Icon

Despite internal divisions, Pope Francis emerged as a global superstar, known for championing the marginalized—including migrants and the poor—and for promoting peace and interfaith dialogue. He drew enormous crowds during his international travels and remained an active pontiff until the end, despite ongoing health issues.

In September 2024, he completed a four-nation tour across the Asia-Pacific region—including a stop in Singapore—marking the longest foreign journey of his papacy by both duration and distance.

World leaders have paid tribute to Pope Francis, lauding his efforts to modernize the Church and extend its moral reach beyond Catholic communities. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote

"He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate."

East Timor President José Ramos-Horta, whose country Francis visited during his final tour, said

"The pope leaves behind a profound legacy of humanity, justice, and human fraternity.”

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who met the pope just a day before his passing, wrote on X:

“My heart goes out to Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”

Final Public Appearance and Health Struggles

Pope Francis made his last major public appearance on Easter Sunday, just weeks after being discharged on March 23 from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he had been treated for life-threatening pneumonia for 38 days.

He entered St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile to greet thousands of worshippers and delivered a special Easter blessing—his first since Christmas.

Francis had been convalescing at the Santa Marta guesthouse in Vatican City. During his hospitalization, he had nearly died twice, according to doctors. The double pneumonia severely compromised his lungs and strained his respiratory muscles.

In early April, the Vatican reported a “slight improvement” in his lung condition, as well as better voice strength, motor function, and breathing. Though he continued to rely on supplemental oxygen, he was occasionally able to breathe unaided for short periods.

On the day of his release, the pope appeared on a balcony in a wheelchair, waving to pilgrims gathered outside the hospital. In a soft voice, amplified by a microphone, he offered a few heartfelt words:

“Thank you, everyone.”