Pope Francis, the 88-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church and a global advocate for the poor and marginalized, has died following a series of recebnt health complications, the Vatican announced Monday morning.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was elected in 2013, becoming the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to assume the papacy. He previously served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and was appointed cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
Known for his humility and compassion, he often prioritized the voices of those on the “peripheries,” as he called them– the outsiders, excluded from society.
“As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country which was largely built by such families,” he said during a visit to the White House in 2015, reinforcing his advocacy for immigrant communities.
His tenure was not without controversy. His progressive stance on issues drew criticism within the Church. Efforts to reform Vatican finances and his handling of clergy sex abuse cases drew scrutiny from victims and advocacy groups.
“He met with victims, he expressed heartfelt sorrow, he expressed resolve to get this right,” said John Allen, a senior Vatican analyst. “But most critics, many victims, would say that wasn’t matched with a policy of follow-through.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an image of Francis standing alone in a empty St. Peter’s Square, blessing the world, became a defining symbols.
Francis also became a global voice for peace. Amid the war in Ukraine, he made emotional appeals for an end to the violence.
He echoed those appeals during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, calling the violence “terrorism” and warning that war is always a defeat.
Despite the trials of his papacy, Pope Francis remained focused on a message of unity.
