Pope Francis dies

The Vatican confirmed this morning the death of Pope Francis, the Argentine pontiff who marked an era of reform in the Catholic Church. World leaders and millions of faithful have begun to pay tribute to his legacy of humility, openness, and defense of the most vulnerable. Official ceremonies are expected in Rome in the coming days.

This morning at 7:35 a.m. (5:35 a.m. GMT), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father's house," Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced in a statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel. Pope Francis, the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years, died Monday at the age of 88.

Pope Francis faced health complications after suffering from pneumonia, which led to his hospitalization. There, he faced complications from bronchiolitis and kidney failure, the pontiff's main recent health problems. He was discharged from hospital on March 23rd, following a slight recovery. His last public appearance was this Easter Sunday in St. Peter's Square, where he appeared to give the Urbi et Orbi blessing.

Visibly tired and barely able to speak, he took a moment to take a ride in the popemobile, in a scene now regarded as his farewell to the faithful. After a period of mourning, cardinals under the age of 80 will meet to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. The election of a new pope usually takes between two and three weeks.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church and the first pope originally from the Americas. The son of Italian immigrants, his father, Mario José Bergoglio, worked as an accountant for the railroad, while his mother, Regina María Sívori, was a homemaker and raised their five children. Before entering the priesthood, Bergoglio earned a degree in chemical engineering. However, at age 21, after a serious illness that involved the removal of part of his right lung, he decided to pursue his religious vocation. He entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus on March 11, 1958.

He completed his studies in humanities in Santiago, Chile, and earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Colegio Máximo de San José in San Miguel, Argentina.

He was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969. He later served as novice master and professor of theology.

In 1973, at the age of 36, he was appointed provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, a position he held until 1979. During this period, he faced significant challenges, including the turbulent era of the country's military dictatorship.

In 1992, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and, in 1998, he became archbishop of the same archdiocese. His pastoral work was characterized by profound humility and closeness to those most in need.

On March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Benedict XVI, Bergoglio was elected Supreme Pontiff, adopting the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, a symbol of poverty and spiritual renewal.

Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of a humble Church serving the poor.

He has addressed contemporary issues such as social justice, immigration, and environmental stewardship, most notably in 2015 with the encyclical "Laudato si'," which calls for global ecological responsibility.

Furthermore, he has demonstrated openness to interreligious dialogue and promoted greater inclusion within the Church, advocating for a supportive pastoral approach toward divorced, homosexual, and transgender people.

In his autobiography, "Hope," published in 2025, Francis reflects on his life, including his childhood, experiences during the Argentine dictatorship, and challenges faced in his ministry, reaffirming his commitment to a Church close to the people and sensitive to contemporary realities.