Vatican City, April 21, 2025 — Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from Latin America, has died at the age of 88. His passing was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who stated that the Pope died at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope Francis was known for his commitment to social justice, humility, and efforts to reform the Church. He addressed issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and the plight of refugees. His papacy also emphasized compassion over doctrine, advocating for marginalized communities and calling for a “poor Church for the poor.”