The Vatican announced Monday morning that Pope Francis, the beloved leader of the Catholic Church, has passed away at age 88.
Francis, who ascended to the papacy in 2013 as one of the oldest pontiffs in Church history, died following weeks of health challenges.
He had recently been discharged from a Rome hospital on March 23 after battling severe pneumonia affecting both lungs.
His medical team reported that his condition had stabilised sufficiently for him to return to his Vatican residence at Casa Santa Marta.
In his final weeks, the Pope brought joy to the faithful with several public appearances, including a surprise visit to St. Peter’s Square.
His last official meeting was with United States Vice President JD Vance, which held a day before his death.
Below are ten things he will be remembered for:
Latin American Heritage: Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Breaking Tradition: Francis made history as the first pope from Latin America. His election marked the first time in over a thousand years that a pope originated from outside Europe.
Jesuit Background: Francis became the first pope from the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), a religious order renowned for their educational contributions, intellectual pursuits, and missionary work. Jesuits traditionally avoid senior Church positions like bishop or pope.
Independence: Even as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis was said to have maintained a modest lifestyle. He cooked his meals, resided in a small apartment, and used public transportation. Reports suggest that despite having Vatican staff available, he occasionally still enjoyed preparing simple meals himself.
Adopted Name: Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he selected the name Francis to honour St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century monk celebrated for his charitable works and compassion.
Compassionate: In 2001, while serving as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, he washed the feet of 12 AIDS patients at an Argentine hospice. It was a demonstration of his commitment to serving marginalised communities long before becoming pope.
Simplicity: After his 2013 election, Francis chose to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta guesthouse rather than the traditional papal apartments
He Was Multilingual: He was fluent in Spanish, Italian, and German.
Traditional Values: He firmly opposed Argentina’s legalisation of same-sex marriage, describing it as “a destructive attack on God’s plan.”
Media Abstinence: Pope Francis reportedly hasn’t watched television since July 15, 1990. Despite being a passionate supporter of the San Lorenzo football team, he relied on Swiss Guard members for updates about matches and standings. He did, however, read a daily newspaper and maintained an active presence on social media platforms like Twitter, where he shared spiritual messages and teachings.
