By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE FIRST Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has died on Easter Monday aged 88 at his residence in the Vatican.
This brings to an end his transformative and often turbulent 12-year papacy.
His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who confirmed that the pontiff passed away at 7:35am on Monday morning in Casa Santa Marta.
The Vatican said Francis had been in declining health in recent months following repeated hospitalisations, including a 38-day stay earlier this year.
Despite serious complications from bilateral pneumonia and kidney concerns, he continued to appear in public—till yesterday on Easter Sunday, when he greeted worshippers from St Peter’s Square in what would be his final blessing.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was the son of a railway worker and grew up in modest surroundings.
He earned degrees in chemistry, philosophy and theology before joining the priesthood in 1969.
Known for his intellectual discipline and deep pastoral instincts, he rose through the Church’s ranks to become Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
When Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013—becoming the first pontiff to step down in over six centuries—the conclave elected Bergoglio as the 266th pope.
At 76, his selection came as a surprise to many observers. He made history as the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to assume the role.
His first appearance as pope was marked by a simple wave and a request for prayers, signalling a break from centuries of pageantry.
Dubbed the “People’s Pope,” he gained international acclaim for his outreach to the poor, his focus on social justice, and his openness to dialogue.
He visited refugee camps of migrants and criticised the global response to poverty and climate change. In 2015, he became the first pope to address the United States (US) Congress, receiving a standing ovation.
Francis’ pastoral tone on divisive issues set him apart from his predecessors.
His famous remark— “Who am I to judge?”—on gay Catholics was seen as a watershed moment.
He also sought to soften the Church’s rhetoric on divorced Catholics, abortion, and the role of women, though critics said institutional change remained limited.
Despite his popularity, Francis faced fierce opposition from conservative factions within the Church.
His attempts to decentralise authority, overhaul the Vatican bureaucracy, and address the child sexual abuse crisis drew both support and scrutiny.
His 2024 reaffirmation of Church doctrine on abortion, euthanasia, and gender reassignment was widely seen as a nod to traditionalists.
His liberal credentials were also questioned when reports emerged that he had used a homophobic slur in private—an allegation never publicly addressed by the Vatican.
Within the Holy See, Francis wrestled with deep divisions. Some accused him of undermining long-held doctrine; others believed he had not gone far enough in reforming outdated structures.
Final Days and Farewell
Francis’ health had been a concern for years. As a young man, he had part of one lung removed.
In later years, he underwent colon surgery, abdominal operations, and treatment for bronchitis and fungal lung infections.
He often used a wheelchair and limited his public appearances.
By early 2025, he had become critically ill and was hospitalised for over a month.
Though he briefly rallied and resumed limited duties, the Vatican announced in February that he was in critical condition after a respiratory crisis.
His death followed shortly after he appeared for Easter celebrations, raising a hand in blessing from a balcony above the square.
Pope Francis had directed that his funeral should reflect his life of simplicity.
Eschewing centuries-old traditions, he will not lie on a raised platform inside St Peter’s Basilica.
Instead, his body will remain in a plain wooden coffin lined with zinc, with the lid removed for mourners to pay respects.
He also requested to be buried not inside the Vatican but in the Basilica of St Mary Major—a site with deep Marian significance.
With his passing, preparations now begin for the next papal conclave, expected within the next three weeks.
Having appointed nearly 80% of the cardinals eligible to vote, Francis may yet shape the direction of the Church even in death.
An estimated 1.4 billion Catholics around the world are now in mourning, reflecting on the legacy of a pope who stepped outside tradition, spoke for the marginalised, and redefined the image of the papacy in a modern age.
