Pope Francis, the Argentine-born reformer who stirred both admiration and controversy within the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. Known for his efforts to modernize the Church, he made headlines for reaching out to LGBTQ+ communities and advocating for the rights of immigrants and the poor, often clashing with traditionalists.
His body will lie in an open casket at St. Peter’s Basilica, a historic site for papal burials, but in line with his wishes, he will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major outside the Vatican. A conclave of cardinals will now convene in strict secrecy to elect his successor.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis had a humble beginning—working as a bouncer, janitor, chemist, and food technician—before becoming a Jesuit priest in 1969. He rose through the Church ranks in Argentina, eventually being named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. In 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, he became the 266th pope and the first Jesuit and non-European pontiff in more than a millennium, leading over a billion Catholics worldwide.
Francis inherited a Church mired in scandals, from sexual abuse crises to financial mismanagement. Rather than maintain the conservative legacy of his predecessor, he pushed for inclusivity and reform—allowing blessings for same-sex couples in 2023 and calling on global leaders to act on climate change. Yet, his papacy was not without criticism. Survivors and advocates felt he fell short in addressing clerical abuse, and his stance on controversial issues like abortion, women’s ordination, and Communion for remarried Catholics drew mixed reactions.
In his final years, Francis struggled with multiple health challenges, including diverticulitis and respiratory illnesses, often needing a wheelchair or assistance to speak. Despite this, he remained a vocal and transformative figure, leaving behind a complex and deeply impactful legacy.
