Head of Catholic Church, Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, after a prolonged battle with double pneumonia.
He died in Rome after spending nearly six weeks at Gemelli Hospital, where he was being treated for a severe lung infection and early signs of kidney failure.
His death marks the end of a 12-year papacy that began in 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
He also made history as the first non-European pope in over 1,000 years.
His early life was far from traditional for a future pope.
He worked as a food technician, bouncer, and janitor before joining the Society of Jesus in 1958.
He was ordained a priest in 1969 and rose through church leadership to become a cardinal in 2001.
His simple lifestyle and focus on social issues drew attention from both supporters and critics.
During his time as pope, Francis was known for his more relaxed approach to papal duties.
He avoided luxury, chose to live in a modest guesthouse, and often traveled in simple cars.
He pushed for reforms within the Vatican, appointed more women to leadership roles, and was vocal on issues like poverty, climate change, and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Francis also tried to bring the Church closer to everyday people.
He was often seen meeting with the sick, prisoners, and the poor.
His efforts to change Church culture sparked debate, especially among conservative groups who resisted some of his views and moves.
Health problems followed him throughout his papacy.
He had lost part of a lung in his youth due to illness, and respiratory infections were a recurring concern.
In 2023, he spent time in the hospital for pneumonia, and his condition worsened in early 2025.
With the Pope now gone, the Vatican has entered a period of transition known as the interregnum.
The camerlengo, the Vatican official responsible for handling Church affairs between popes, has confirmed Francis’s death.
Preparations are now underway for a conclave, the process where cardinals from around the world will gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose a new pope.
This election involves secret ballots and requires a two-thirds majority.
It is not known how long the selection will take, but once a decision is reached, white smoke will rise from the chapel to signal the new pope has been chosen.
Until then, the Church and its followers across the globe mourn the loss of a leader known for his humility, global influence, and efforts to move the Church in a more open direction.
May his soul rest in peace