By M10News Staff | April 20, 2025
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed today, bringing to an end a 12-year papacy that broke centuries of tradition and sought to redefine the role of the Catholic Church in the modern world.
Elected in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years, Francis became the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pontiff, and the first non-European to hold the role in over a millennium.
The Pope had been released recently from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after being admitted in mid-February with breathing difficulties.
Medical reports later revealed he was suffering from a severe respiratory infection and double pneumonia—conditions that significantly impact lung function.
Although he appeared to have recovered in time to deliver his Easter Sunday address at St. Peter’s Square, his health took a final downturn. Just yesterday, he met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
The Pope’s passing initiates the solemn process of papal succession.
A funeral will be held in the coming days, and the conclave of cardinals will convene to elect a new pope, with the traditional white smoke from the Sistine Chapel signaling the announcement.
From Buenos Aires to the Vatican
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was the son of Italian immigrants.
Originally pursuing a career in science, he studied to become an industrial chemist before a pivotal encounter with a priest led him to join the priesthood.
Prior to his ordination in 1969, Bergoglio lived a relatively typical youth. He danced the tango, had romantic relationships, and even worked as a nightclub bouncer.
In a 2010 biography, he reflected on those early days, saying he “used to dance when I was young” and shared those moments with a female friend before discovering his religious calling.
After entering the seminary, he joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and was appointed head of the Jesuit order in Argentina at the age of 36.
His experiences during Argentina’s “Dirty War” of the 1970s profoundly impacted him, shaping his compassionate approach to leadership.
In 1998, he was named Archbishop of Buenos Aires and elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
His profile grew during the 2001 Synod of Bishops when he replaced New York’s Cardinal Edward Egan—recalled after the 9/11 attacks—as general rapporteur. His work during the Synod drew attention from many within the Vatican, planting early seeds for his eventual rise to the papacy.
The Path to the Papacy
Francis was considered a strong contender in the 2005 conclave following John Paul II’s death, where he reportedly garnered significant support before Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI.
When Benedict stepped down in February 2013, citing age and declining health, Bergoglio emerged as the consensus candidate.
He was elected Pope on March 13, 2013, and chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, inspired by Cardinal Claudio Hummes’ whispered advice: “Don’t forget the poor.”
Stepping onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on the evening of his election, he greeted the world with humility, remarking that the cardinals had gone “to the ends of the earth” to find a new leader.
A Pope of the People
Francis quickly became known for his down-to-earth style and focus on humility and service. He declined the traditional papal apartments in favor of a simple room at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse. He wore plain black shoes rather than the red ones favored by his predecessor and preferred the title “Bishop of Rome.”
After his election, he personally returned to the guesthouse where he had stayed during the conclave to pay his bill, a gesture that captured hearts around the world.
His commitment to social justice and progressive positions on sensitive topics also set him apart. On a 2013 return flight from Brazil, when asked about gay clergy, he responded, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” — marking a historic shift in tone for the Church.
He later condemned the criminalization of homosexuality, calling it an “injustice,” and stressed that people with “homosexual tendencies” are children of God who deserve inclusion in the Church.
Legacy and Challenges
Despite his popularity, Pope Francis’ reforms and liberal views drew criticism from conservative factions within the Church, including some bishops. His decade-long leadership redefined expectations of the papacy, blending tradition with a call for renewal.
Dr. Gregory Ryan of Durham University’s Centre for Catholic Studies previously reflected on this division, noting that while past popes faced academic critique, Francis was unique in facing dissent from within the Church hierarchy.
Still, his papacy marked a pivotal era for Catholicism—one characterized by outreach, compassion, and simplicity.
As preparations begin for the papal funeral and the selection of a new pontiff, tributes continue to pour in from around the world, remembering Francis not just as a religious figurehead but as a humble leader who walked with the people.
