Pope Francis dies at 88 - Onlinetimesgh

Pope Francis died at 88, and the Vatican announced it early on Easter Monday morning.

The beloved pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away at 7:35 a.m. on April 20, 2025, after years of health challenges. His death marks the end of a transformative era in the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in a solemn statement from the Vatican, said the Holy Father had returned to the house of the Father and remembered him as a leader who;

“Taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”

Pope Francis made history in 2013 as the first South American pope and the first Jesuit to hold the office. His papacy stood out for its deep focus on compassion, social justice, and inclusion. Nicknamed the;

People’s Pope

He constantly advocated for refugees, the poor, and the marginalized, often stepping outside traditional Church boundaries to engage with modern global issues, including climate change, inequality, and interfaith dialogue.

Despite facing criticism from traditional factions within the Church, Francis’s inclusive stance, especially toward the LGBTQ+ community, won him praise from many corners of the world.

However, his legacy also includes moments of controversy, including a reaffirmation of the Church’s position on gender, abortion, and surrogacy, as stated in the 2024 document Dignitas Infinita.

His later years were marked by frequent hospitalizations and persistent health challenges. He was last hospitalized in February 2025 for respiratory complications and remained under close medical care until his death.

Francis was a symbol of humility and service. In 2016, he washed the feet of refugees of different faiths in a poignant act of solidarity. He once said, “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gay clergy, a phrase that came to symbolize his more open, pastoral approach to Church leadership.

The process to elect a new pope will begin within the next two to three weeks through a conclave of cardinals in the Vatican. The Catholic Church and an estimated 1.4 billion followers worldwide now begin a period of mourning, reflection, and transition.

Pope Francis’ legacy will endure as that of a reformer, a spiritual shepherd, and a voice for the voiceless, a pope who, despite his frailties, never stopped walking with the people.

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