Pope Francis Passes Away at 88 

On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88. His death, confirmed by the Vatican, marks the end of his groundbreaking papacy, which began on March 13, 2013. He was a beloved figure known for his advocacy of LGBTQIA+ inclusion, climate action, refugee rights, and his tireless efforts to modernise the Church.

Official Announcement

• Date of death: April 21, 2025
• Time of death: 7:35 AM (Rome time)
• Place: Domus Santa Marta, Vatican City

The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, in a solemn statement released by the Vatican. He was accompanied by senior Vatican officials, including:

• Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Secretary of State)
• Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra (Substitute Chief of Staff)
• Archbishop Diego Ravelli (Master of Liturgical Ceremonies)

Background and Legacy

Birth Name and Early Life

• Birth name: Jorge Mario Bergoglio
• Country of origin: Argentina
• Religious order: Jesuit

Pope Francis was elected as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American Pope in the history of the Church. His choice of the papal name Francis was symbolic, honouring St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his humility and dedication to serving the poor.

Major Contributions

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was known for his progressive stance on a variety of issues, and he made substantial contributions to both the Catholic Church and global humanitarian causes. Some of his key achievements include:

• Advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights: Pope Francis became a prominent advocate for the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals within the Church, pushing for more acceptance and understanding.
• Climate action: He called for urgent action on climate change and highlighted its moral implications in the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’.
• Refugee rights: Pope Francis consistently championed the rights of refugees and migrants, often urging governments to adopt more compassionate policies.
• Accountability in child sexual abuse cases: He worked toward greater transparency and accountability within the Church regarding its handling of sexual abuse cases.
• Criticism of military aggression: He spoke out against military interventions, particularly criticising Israeli airstrikes on Gaza during the 2014 conflict.
• Personal outreach: He maintained a highly personal connection with the faithful, often calling people in distress, including daily calls to Gaza Catholics during times of crisis.

Final Days

Pope Francis had a long history of health issues:

• He had part of his right lung removed during his youth due to infection.
• He also suffered from bronchitis, knee/hip pain, and colon inflammation in his later years.

In February 2025, Pope Francis was hospitalised at Gemelli Hospital for respiratory issues. Despite his declining health, he made a final public appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025), delivering a blessing to the thousands gathered. He passed away the next morning.

Next Steps in Vatican Protocol

With the Pope’s passing, the Vatican has initiated several key steps:

• The Camerlengo will take over temporary administrative duties, overseeing the transition.
• The College of Cardinals will hold a Conclave to elect a new Pope.
• The Period of interregnum (the period between papacies) has officially begun, during which the Vatican is in a state of mourning and preparation for the election of a new leader of the Catholic Church.