Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died at 7:35 a.m. local time in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, following a stroke that led to irreversible cardiac arrest. His death came shortly after a month-long hospitalization for double pneumonia and other health complications
A Transformative Papacy
Elected on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis was the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas, the first Jesuit, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium. His papacy was marked by a commitment to humility, social justice, and outreach to the marginalized. He chose to reside in the modest Casa Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace and emphasized a “Church for the poor.”People.com
Francis was a vocal advocate for climate action, notably through his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, and championed the rights of migrants, the poor, and Indigenous peoples. He also supported civil unions for same-sex couples and called for the abolition of the death penalty, reflecting his progressive approach to social issues .The GuardianBusiness Insider
Final Days and Funeral
Despite ongoing health challenges, Pope Francis remained active in his duties until shortly before his death. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, when he delivered his final Easter address, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza .People.com+1Business Insider+1Wikipedia
Following his passing, his body was moved to St. Peter’s Basilica, where it lay in state from April 23 to April 25. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, making him the first pope to be interred outside the Vatican since Pope Leo XIII in 1903 .Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3AP News+3
Global Mourning and Legacy
World leaders and dignitaries from around the globe are expected to attend the funeral, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Prince William. Pope Francis is remembered for his efforts to modernize and humanize the Church, his outreach to other faiths, and his unwavering commitment to social justice. His legacy as a moral voice for the global south and a champion for the marginalized continues to inspire millions worldwide