Dublin: Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced Monday. Cardinal Kevin Farrell confirmed the pope passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. local time, following ongoing health issues during his 12-year papacy.
Known for his humility and dedication to the marginalised, Francis brought a compassionate and reform-minded tone to the papacy after his election in 2013. Nicknamed “the pope of the slums”, he championed social justice, supported migrants, and welcomed marginalised communities, including LGBTQ Catholics.
His final public message, delivered through a delegate on Easter Sunday, called for peace, freedom of thought, and respect for religious and personal expression. He also voiced concern over rising anti-Semitism and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Vatican will now initiate preparations for the papal conclave, where the College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope. This process typically begins 15 to 20 days after a pope’s death to allow time for mourning and for cardinals to assemble in Rome.
Francis had been discharged from hospital on March 23 after treatment for pneumonia. In recent weeks, he had scaled back public appearances due to his declining health, including missing key Holy Week events.
A historic figure, Pope Francis was not only the first pope from the Americas but also the first in over a century to live outside the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. He was widely respected for his relentless work ethic and refusal to slow down, even in his final years.
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