Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church and a globally respected figure known for his progressive reforms and advocacy for the marginalized, has passed away at the age of 88.
 
The Vatican announced that he died at 7:35 a.m. local time on Monday (April 21), just a day after appearing before thousands in Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina to Italian immigrant parents, Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first pontiff from Latin America. His papacy was marked by a deep commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship, and institutional reform within the Church.

In what would become his final message posted on his official account on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life.”

During his last public address, the Pope continued his tradition of championing the cause of the vulnerable. He condemned the global rise in violence, particularly against women and children, and expressed concern over the plight of migrants and marginalized communities.

“How much violence we see, often even within families, directed at women and children! How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!” he had said.

A staunch advocate for environmental responsibility, Pope Francis drew international attention in 2015 with his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’, which emphasized the moral and spiritual dimensions of the climate crisis. The document, addressed to Catholic bishops worldwide, called for a radical transformation in human attitudes toward the planet and promoted what has since been dubbed a “relational approach” — integrating faith, humanity, and the environment.

Pope Francis’s legacy as a reformer and voice for the voiceless is expected to shape the Catholic Church and global discourse for years to come. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced shortly by the Vatican.