Pope Francis dies at age 88

​Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88 on April 21, 2025, at 7:35 a.m. CEST. He died peacefully in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, following a prolonged battle with double pneumonia and other chronic health issues .​

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis made history in 2013 as the first Latin American and Jesuit pope. His 12-year papacy was marked by humility, social advocacy, and significant reforms. He emphasized compassion, inclusion, and outreach to the poor, refugees, and marginalized communities. Notably, he reformed Vatican finances, appointed women to leadership roles, and promoted social and environmental justice .​

Global leaders have paid tribute to Pope Francis’s legacy. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed him as “a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and most fragile,” while U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance remembered his impactful homily during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other leaders, including King Charles III, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, praised his compassion and commitment to peace and justice .​

Funeral arrangements are underway, with expectations that Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in accordance with his wishes. The Vatican has announced that the papal conclave to elect his successor can begin no earlier than May 6, 2025