First Latin American pontiff remembered for his compassion, calls for peace, and voice for the poor
News Desk
ROME: Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the first Latin American to hold the office, has died aged 88. The Vatican confirmed his passing in a formal statement on Sunday.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936, Francis became pope in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He served as pontiff for 12 years, during which he was widely recognized for his humility, progressive voice, and calls for compassion in a deeply polarized world.
He had been battling illness for some time and was hospitalized on 14 February with severe respiratory distress. Doctors later diagnosed pneumonia, requiring a five-week stay in hospital. He returned to the Vatican last month and appeared to be in improving health.
Just days before his death, he had taken part in Easter gatherings, where he met with pilgrims and reiterated his appeal for an end to the war in Gaza. It would be his final public appearance.
Before being elected pope, Francis served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He became a symbol of simplicity and reform within the Church, often choosing modesty over protocol — famously residing in a guesthouse instead of the grand papal apartments.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy marked by his efforts to bridge divisions, champion social justice, and bring the Church closer to the marginalized. His death brings to a close an era defined by outreach, reflection, and a deep concern for humanity’s most pressing crises.
