Pope Francis, the beloved Roman Catholic pontiff known for his compassionate approach and progressive reforms, has passed away at the age of 88 after a prolonged battle with health issues.
The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, at 7:35 AM stating, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis made history in 2013 by becoming the first pope in over a millennium not to hail from Europe. His election followed the unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict, creating a unique scenario where both a sitting pope and a pope emeritus were alive.
Throughout his papacy, Francis shifted the Church’s focus toward pressing global issues such as climate change, migration, and social equality, departing from the traditionalist focus on contentious matters like abortion and contraception. Notably, he authored the first papal encyclical addressing environmental concerns, urging the Church to take a stand against global warming.
During a landmark visit to the United States in 2015, he emphasized the importance of inclusion within the Church, stating, “To raise doubts about the working of the Spirit…is a dangerous temptation… Not only does it block conversion to the faith; it is a perversion of faith.”
However, his tenure was not without controversy. Critics blamed him for insufficient action regarding the church’s ongoing sex abuse scandal; in 2019, he enacted a law mandating officials to report cases of abuse.
Before ascending to the papacy, Francis had a diverse background. He was ordained as a priest in 1969 and served in multiple capacities including seminary rector, pastor, and professor. He was a member of the Jesuits and became the first Latin American and Jesuit pope.
His unexpected election brought a mixture of surprise and admiration, as many in the crowd gasped and applauded upon his introduction from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. In an endearing remark, he joked, “It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world.”
He adopted the papal name of St. Francis of Assisi, a figure well-known for his dedication to poverty and service to the poor. Under his leadership, he was seen as balancing conservative beliefs with a profound compassion for marginalized communities, encouraging acceptance of divorced Catholics, same-sex couples, and those living together without marriage.
In a groundbreaking act, he even invited members of the transgender community to a luncheon in Rome, marking World Day of the Poor. Though he maintained traditional church doctrine, his call for compassion led to challenges from conservative members of the Church.
Some traditionalists perceived his progressive reforms as contrary to established Church teachings. In 2018, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, a former Vatican ambassador to the U.S., publicly urged Francis to resign.
As his papacy progressed, Francis became increasingly vocal about what he saw as the conservative branch’s ideological overreach within the Church, particularly in the U.S. He remarked on the “backwardness” of certain factions and took action against outspoken critics of his reforms.
He removed Bishop Joseph Strickland from the diocese of Tyler, Texas, a staunch critic, while also revoking the privileges of Cardinal Raymond Burke, another opponent of his liberal agenda.
Health issues plagued Pope Francis in his later years, including an infection that led to the partial removal of one of his lungs during his youth. Additionally, he faced mobility challenges due to knee problems and had surgery for a hernia and colon issues.
Recently, he had been hospitalized for lung inflammation but was discharged last month, with the Vatican revealing that his health had raised global concern due to his need for high-flow oxygen therapy.
The world watched with deep interest as his health fluctuated in the days leading up to his passing, marking the end of a papacy that endeavored to blend compassion with the spiritual and moral imperatives of the Catholic Church.
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