Vatican City: Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in the modern Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness, the Vatican announced on Monday.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became the 266th pope in 2013 after the historic resignation of Benedict XVI — the first papal abdication in nearly 600 years. At 76, Francis assumed the papacy with a reputation for humility and a mandate to reform.
Over the course of his 12-year tenure, Francis led with a pastoral tone, pushing the Church to be more inclusive while navigating turbulent global and internal debates. He sought to bring the Church closer to the margins, emphasizing care for the poor, climate action, and interfaith dialogue.
His papacy was also marked by personal health challenges, particularly in its later years. A series of hospitalizations and public absences had sparked growing concern over his condition.
Despite these setbacks, Francis remained active. He traveled to more than 65 countries across 47 foreign trips, canonized over 900 saints, and issued four major papal encyclicals, touching on issues from environmental stewardship to the global economy.
He notably opened the Church to modern realities, allowing blessings for same-sex couples under specific conditions and appointing women to senior roles within Vatican departments — both seen as watershed moments in Church history.
Francis convened five synods of Catholic bishops to discuss pressing and controversial topics, including the ordination of women and revisions to teachings on sexuality, signaling his commitment to dialogue and discernment.
As the first pope from the Americas, his leadership style reflected his roots — a blend of Latin American liberation theology, Jesuit discipline, and deep pastoral concern.
His death marks the end of a papacy that redefined the global Church’s engagement with the modern world, and leaves behind a legacy of reform, resilience and reflection.
