Pope Francis, the supreme leader of the Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88. His death was confirmed on Monday (April 21) by the Vatican and reported by the BBC.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first non-European pope in over a thousand years.
According to the Vatican statement, Pope Francis passed away peacefully at 7:35 AM local time on Easter Monday at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell stated, “Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow we announce that our Holy Father Francis has passed away. At 7:35 AM, the Bishop of Rome returned to the Father’s house. His life was entirely devoted to the service of the Lord and the Church.”
He added, “Pope Francis taught us how to live the values of the Gospel with faith, courage, and selfless love—especially by standing beside the poor and the marginalized. We express deep gratitude for his life as a true disciple of Jesus Christ and entrust his soul to the mercy of God.”
Pope Francis led significant reforms within the Catholic Church during his papacy and was widely respected for his emphasis on compassion, inclusivity, and humility.