VATICAN CITY,— Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday.
His death concludes a papacy characterized by efforts to reform the Catholic Church and address its internal conflicts.
The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who delivered the news on the Vatican’s television channel.
“It is with great sorrow that I announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Farrell said. “At 7:35 this morning, Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, passed away and returned to the house of the Father.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis was elected to the papacy on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
His election was seen as a departure from the traditional selection of a European pope, signaling the Church’s openness to new leadership.
Pope Francis’ papacy was marked by his focus on simplicity and humility, evident in his decision to live outside the grand papal apartments and in a more communal setting. His lifestyle reflected his commitment to a Church that emphasized care for the poor and marginalized.
Pope Francis inherited a Church plagued by scandal and internal division. His response to the child sex abuse crisis and bureaucratic infighting was a key focus of his leadership, but he faced resistance from both conservative and progressive factions.
Some conservatives criticized his approach to Church doctrine, while progressives felt his reforms fell short.
Among his significant international visits, Pope Francis traveled to Iraq in 2021, where he visited the Kurdistan Region.
During his visit, he met with several high-ranking leaders, including President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani.
He also met with local religious figures and was greeted by children dressed in traditional Kurdish attire.
The pope celebrated an outdoor Mass for thousands of faithful at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, underscoring his commitment to interfaith dialogue and peace.
Iraqi Kurdistan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communication released six special stamps to commemorate Pope Francis’ historic visit to the region on March 7, 2021. One of these stamps features an image of the Pope along with a map of Greater Kurdistan, which was criticized by Turkey.
Pope Francis’ tenure was unique in that it saw two living popes, with Benedict XVI, after his resignation, continuing to reside in the Vatican until his death in December 2022.
As of February 2025, Pope Francis had appointed nearly 80% of the cardinal electors responsible for selecting his successor, likely influencing the direction of the Church’s future leadership.
(With files from Reuters | Agencies)
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