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Life and times of Pope Francis dead at 88
DDM News
The Vatican has confirmed the death of Pope Francis, who passed away early this morning at the age of 88.
The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo of the Vatican.
According to the statement, the pontiff died at approximately 7:35am.
Pope Francis had been receiving treatment for bronchitis at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14.
He had experienced breathing difficulties during a meeting, which led to his hospital admission.
His public appearances had been suspended following the medical emergency.
Cardinal Farrell described the Pope’s life as one dedicated entirely to the service of the Church and the Lord.
He said: “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.”
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936.
He was the son of Italian immigrants who settled in South America.
He graduated from high school with a diploma in chemistry.
In March 1958, he joined the Jesuit novitiate, beginning a life of religious dedication.
He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969.
By 1973, he had been appointed as the superior of the Jesuit province in Argentina.
In 1992, he was named auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires by Pope John Paul II.
He was promoted to coadjutor archbishop in 1997.
He took over the archdiocese fully in 1998.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated him to the College of Cardinals.
His election as Pope took place on March 13, 2013, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
He became the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church.
He was also the first pope from Latin America.
He took the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Pope Benedict XVI had resigned, citing age and the demands of the modern world as reasons.
Francis began his papacy at the age of 76.
From the start, Pope Francis took a different path from many of his predecessors.
His first trip outside of Rome was to the Italian island of Lampedusa.
The island had become a symbol of the refugee crisis due to its proximity to Africa.
There, the Pope condemned what he called the “globalisation of indifference.”
He mourned the deaths of migrants who died crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
He championed the rights of the poor, the displaced, and the marginalised.
He became a vocal advocate for action on climate change.
In 2015, during a visit to Bolivia, he described greed and capitalism as the “dung of the devil.”
He warned that uncontrolled capitalism destroys the environment and divides society.
He believed that when money becomes an idol, humanity suffers.
Pope Francis also pushed for dialogue with other religions.
He consistently promoted peaceful coexistence with Islam and Judaism.
He described interfaith dialogue as a religious duty.
He made efforts to reach out to the Muslim community during his papacy.
Pope Francis was also known for his stance on immigration.
During a visit to Mexico, he prayed at the border with the United States.
He made headlines when he questioned the morality of building walls to keep people out.
See also A nation in flux: Trump revokes legal status for migrants who entered through Biden-Era App
He said, “A person who only builds walls and not bridges is not Christian.”
This remark was widely seen as a criticism of U.S. immigration policies.
Pope Francis also urged the Church to modernise its approach to social issues.
He encouraged a more understanding stance toward divorced Catholics.
He said that in some cases, they could receive Holy Communion.
His approach to LGBTQ+ rights marked a historic shift for the Church.
When asked about gay priests, he famously said, “Who am I to judge?”
He stated that same-sex attraction was not the problem and that those individuals are “our brothers.”
He opposed discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals and supported civil unions.
He said: “Homosexual people have the right to a family.”
In 2023, he formally approved the blessing of same-sex couples by Catholic priests.
Though he maintained the Church’s teaching on marriage, the decision was seen as a step toward inclusivity.
His comments sparked both praise and criticism from inside and outside the Church.
Despite opposition, he remained committed to a compassionate Church.
In his final months, Pope Francis continued to speak out on global issues.
He issued a rare rebuke to U.S. Vice President JD Vance for misusing theological principles.
He rejected Vance’s justification of strict immigration policies based on Christian doctrine.
This led to political tension between the Vatican and the White House.
While hospitalized, Pope Francis still found ways to communicate with the world.
He sent messages of peace and encouragement to those suffering from war.
He specifically mentioned Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Kivu region in Congo.
He said: “From here, war appears even more absurd.”
He thanked doctors for their care and the faithful for their prayers.
The Pope’s last major public appearance was in February 2025 at a mass in St. Peter’s Square.
He celebrated the Jubilee of the Armed Forces with thousands in attendance.
His health had been declining for some time, but he remained spiritually active.
Pope Francis leaves behind a Church transformed by his vision.
He reshaped its response to modern challenges and gave voice to the voiceless.
He was a leader who prioritised compassion, justice, and environmental responsibility.
His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Catholic history.
The world now looks to the Vatican, where preparations for the next papal conclave are underway.
Whoever succeeds him will inherit both a spiritual and political legacy.
Pope Francis will be remembered as a reformer, a shepherd, and a bridge-builder.
His teachings and actions will continue to influence the global Church for generations to come.
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