Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, passed away on Monday following complications from pneumonia.
Announcing his death in a video statement, Vatican Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell praised Francis as a “true disciple of the Lord Jesus,” devoted to the poor and marginalized.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected in 2013 as the 266th pope. He was the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first to choose the name Francis, reflecting his commitment to humility and care for the poor.
In recent years, he faced several health issues, including a hernia surgery in 2023 and persistent knee pain that required him to use a wheelchair. In February 2025, he was hospitalized with bronchitis, which developed into bilateral pneumonia and early-stage kidney failure. Despite initial signs of recovery, his condition deteriorated, leading to his death.
During his 12-year papacy, Francis championed inclusivity and social justice. He emphasized mercy over judgment, famously asking: “Who am I to judge?” when questioned on gay Catholics. He advocated for the decriminalization of homosexuality and called for the Church to be more welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals. He was also a vocal critic of unbridled capitalism and environmental degradation. His 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, called for urgent action on climate change, and he later supported classifying “ecocide” as an international crime.
However, his status as a progressive leader was not without controversy. His remarks on traditional gender roles, suggesting that women should embrace the roles of daughter, sister, and mother and that it was “ugly” for women to “play the man,” drew criticism from both within and outside the Church. He also drew the ire of LGBTQ+ advocates for his use of a homophobic slur in a private meeting. The Vatican later apologized for this.
Francis also faced scrutiny over his handling of sexual abuse cases within the Church. In 2018, he apologized for the Church’s failure to protect victims and acknowledged the need for a “zero tolerance” policy on abuse and cover-ups.
Pope Francis’ Legacy
With his passing, Pope Francis leaves of legacy of compassion, humility, and a commitment to social justice. He sought to modernize the Church while staying true to its core teachings. In 2024, he modified papal funeral rites to reflect simplicity, requesting to be buried in a simple wooden casket at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, rather than the traditional Vatican burial.
His death marks the end of a significant era in the Catholic Church, leaving behind a legacy of reform and a call to continue the work of compassion and inclusivity.