VATICAN CITY – April 10, 2025 — Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas and a reformist leader who left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church, passed away early Thursday morning at the age of 88. His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell from the Domus Santa Marta, Francis’s humble residence within the Vatican walls.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” Cardinal Farrell solemnly declared. Church bells tolled across Rome, marking the end of an era for a pope whose papacy redefined the modern role of the Catholic Church.
A Legacy of Reform and Reconciliation
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis rose to prominence as a champion of the poor, a voice for the marginalized, and an advocate for reform within the Catholic Church. Elected on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, he became the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium.
Francis immediately set a new tone for the papacy — declining traditional papal regalia in favor of simpler vestments, choosing a modest apartment over the Apostolic Palace, and emphasizing humility, inclusion, and mercy. He was soon dubbed “The People’s Pope.”
Historic Canadian Apology
Among his most significant and historic acts was his 2022 apology to Canada’s Indigenous communities for the Catholic Church’s role in residential school abuses. The apology, delivered first in Rome and then on Canadian soil during a six-day pilgrimage, came after decades of calls for acknowledgment from survivors and their families.
Speaking in Spanish at the former site of a residential school in Maskwacis, Alberta, the pope expressed deep sorrow for the Church’s involvement in the systematic abuse, forced assimilation, and cultural destruction of Indigenous children.
“I am deeply sorry. Sorry for the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the Indigenous peoples,” Francis said in his landmark address.
Though reactions were mixed — with some calling for further reparations — many Indigenous leaders recognized the significance of his gesture. Phil Fontaine, a residential school survivor and former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, called the moment “monumental.”
Health Struggles and Final Public Appearance
Francis had long suffered from respiratory issues stemming from a lung infection in his youth, and in recent years, his health declined further. Hospitalized in February for bronchitis and later diagnosed with pneumonia and asthmatic bronchitis, he continued to lead as much as possible.
In what would become his final public appearance, Francis emerged on Easter Sunday to deliver a blessing to thousands in St. Peter’s Square. Riding through the piazza in the popemobile to thunderous applause, he offered his signature warmth to the faithful one last time.
Reformist and Controversial
Throughout his 12-year papacy, Francis introduced sweeping changes and challenged long-standing traditions. He softened the Church’s tone on homosexuality, called for compassion in discussions around abortion and contraception, and opened the doors for greater lay participation — even allowing women and non-clergy to vote during the 2023 synod on the Church’s future.
Yet, his efforts were not without backlash. Conservative factions, especially within the U.S. Church, criticized his progressive stance and accused him of fostering division. Francis, in turn, called out what he referred to as “backwardness” among some conservative elements and removed several high-ranking critics from Vatican posts, including American Cardinal Raymond Burke.
Despite opposition, Francis remained steadfast in his belief that the Church should be a place of “welcome for everyone, everyone, everyone.”
A Humble Shepherd
Taking the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi — the patron saint of the poor — the pope often repeated: “My people are poor and I am one of them.” He was known for hosting the homeless at the Vatican, celebrating Mass with the marginalized, and championing environmental causes.
His biographer, Sergio Rubin, once remarked: “He believed the Church should go out into the streets. And he did just that.”
A Global Impact
Time Magazine named him “Person of the Year” in 2013, crediting him with altering global perceptions of the 2,000-year-old Church in just nine months. From his challenge to capitalism to his stand against nuclear weapons and the death penalty, Francis’s influence transcended religious boundaries.
In one of his final acts of moral leadership, the Vatican formally renounced the Doctrine of Discovery — a centuries-old legal principle that had justified colonization and land seizure — furthering his commitment to justice and reconciliation.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon. As the world mourns the loss of a transformative spiritual leader, tributes have poured in from global dignitaries, religious leaders, and everyday Catholics touched by his message of humility, inclusion, and mercy.
Pope Francis is survived by the legacy of a Church he dared to reshape — and a world he urged to love more boldly.
