Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, the Pope’s residence. People.comBusiness Insider+6AP News+6The Guardian+6
Pope Francis was the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church and the first Latin American and Jesuit pope. He served as pope for just over 12 years, beginning his papacy on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Business Insider+1People.com+1
Known for his progressive stances and advocacy, Pope Francis addressed pressing global issues including migration, climate change, economic inequality, and LGBTQ+ rights. He also called for the abolition of the death penalty and condemned the treatment of Indigenous students in Canadian residential schools, labeling it as genocide. Business Insider
Despite longstanding health issues and a hospitalization earlier in 2025 for pneumonia and kidney failure, he continued his duties, delivering his final Easter blessing from St. Peter's Basilica on April 20. His death occurred the next morning at his Vatican residence, the Casa Santa Marta. Business Insider
The death of a pope sets in motion a series of carefully orchestrated rites and rituals well before the conclave to elect his successor begins. They involve the certification of death and public display of his body for the faithful to pay their respects, followed by the funeral and burial. AP News
Potential successors to Pope Francis are Ghana's Peter Turkson, Luis Tagle of the Philippines, and Hungary's Peter Erdo. Al Jazeera
Pope Francis's leadership was marked by both reform and continuity, as he sought to address internal Church abuses while engaging with the broader global community. Business Insider
His passing has prompted tributes from around the world, with many remembering him as a humble and compassionate leader who dedicated his life to the service of the Lord and of his Church. Al Jazeera
As the Catholic Church mourns the loss of Pope Francis, the world reflects on his legacy and the impact he had during his papacy.
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