Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at 7:35 a.m. CEST at the age of 88, in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. The Vatican confirmed that his death was due to a stroke followed by irreversible cardiac arrest, compounded by underlying health conditions including type 2 diabetes and hypertension .Vogue+3Wikipedia+3CBS News+3
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he became the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium when he was elected in March 2013 . His 12-year papacy was marked by a commitment to humility, social justice, and reform. He championed environmental causes, notably through his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, and advocated for marginalized communities, including migrants and the poor . While he upheld traditional Church teachings on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and abortion, he emphasized compassion and inclusivity, striving to balance progressive outreach with doctrinal continuity .The New Yorker+2Financial Times+2Wikipedia+2AP News+1People.com+1The Guardian+2Vanity Fair+2Financial Times+2
Pope Francis also undertook significant reforms within the Vatican, addressing financial transparency and the Church’s response to sexual abuse scandals . His efforts to modernize the Church often placed him at odds with conservative factions, yet he remained steadfast in his vision of a more open and compassionate Catholic Church .Financial TimesAP News
In accordance with his wishes for a modest farewell, Pope Francis is lying in state in an open casket at St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing the faithful to pay their respects. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, and he will be interred at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, making him the first pope in over a century to be buried outside of St. Peter’s Basilica .People.comWikipedia
His passing has elicited tributes from around the world, reflecting on his profound impact on the Church and global affairs. As the Catholic community mourns, preparations are underway for the conclave to elect his successor, expected to convene between May 6 and May 12, 2025 .Wikipedia
Global Reactions to Pope Francis’s Passing
The global south has lost its pope. The world has lost its conscience
TodayVanity FairLeonardo DiCaprio Was a Big Pope Francis GuyTodayAP NewsPope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 882 days ago
