Pope Francis, the Reformist Head of the Roman Catholic Church, Dies at 88

Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff who led the Catholic Church for more than a decade with a focus on humility, inclusion, inter-religious peace, and social justice, died Monday at the age of 88, following complications from double pneumonia after being hospitalized for almost six weeks, the Associated Press reported. 

Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced Francis’ death early Monday from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, saying that the late pontiff dedicated his entire life “to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”  

Bells tolled across Rome, flags flew at half-staff across Italy, and mourners gathered at St. Peter’s Square – and at Catholic Churches around the globe – as tributes and condolences poured in from around the world for a leader who was both admired for his “charming, humble” style and also one who infuriated some for his lack of dogma, according to CNBC. 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said his passing “pains us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor leaves us.” She thanked Francis for “his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never diminished even in times of trial and suffering.” 

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife hailed the pope for wanting the Church “to bring joy and hope to the poorest,” while Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof described him as “in every way a man of the people.” 

Israeli and Iranian leaders both offered their condolences, while acknowledging his interfaith outreach and advocacy for peace. 

Tributes also came from the Trump administration, including US Vice President JD Vance – the last world leader to meet the pontiff before his passing, having held a brief meeting over the weekend.  

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in the Argentinian capital to Italian immigrants, Francis once worked as a janitor, a bouncer, and a pharmacist before becoming a Jesuit at 21. He attributed his spiritual awakening to a confession when he was 17. 

His nickname “slum bishop” came from his work in Buenos Aires’ poorest neighborhoods, where he doubled the number of priests and prioritized hands-on ministry, Politico noted. 

In 2013, Francis was elected as the Holy See’s 266th pope following the historic resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. He was the first pontiff from the Southern Hemisphere.  

He became pope during a period that saw the Church in crisis, reeling from sex abuse scandals around the world and internal corruption. Francis’ image as a reformer from the Global South helped restore faith for many disillusioned Catholics. 

Observers described Francis’ papacy as a departure from the papal formality of his predecessors, emphasizing humility, outreach to the marginalized, and a pastoral approach over doctrinal rigidity, which often upset some in the clergy.  

He frequently spoke out on global inequality, climate change, and the treatment of migrants, earning praise from progressive Catholics and civil society groups, while drawing criticism from conservatives who accused him of diluting Church teaching to promote a political agenda. 

Francis made a series of controversial reforms to Vatican governance, appointing women to decision-making roles and giving laypeople more authority in synodal discussions. He opened debate on sensitive issues, including same-sex blessings and communion for divorced and remarried Catholics. 

However, he maintained traditional doctrine on abortion and refused to allow female ordination, frustrating liberals and feminist Catholic groups, too.  

His handling of the clergy sex abuse crisis was mixed. While he took action against high-profile figures and removed secrecy rules surrounding abuse cases, critics said he moved too slowly and failed to fully address institutional cover-ups.  

On the global stage, Francis advanced interfaith dialogue, visited conflict zones, and sought neutrality in international disputes, though he faced criticism for his perceived silence on rights abuses in China and ambiguity in his statements on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. 

His death triggers the traditional mourning period, followed by a funeral to be held at St. Peter’s Basilica and the calling of a conclave to elect his successor.