VATICAN CITY, April 21 – Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, died on Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke that led to a coma and subsequent heart failure, the Vatican said.
The Vatican confirmed that Francis had suffered from chronic lung disease and was admitted to hospital on Feb. 14 for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He remained hospitalized for 38 days — the longest stay during his 12-year papacy. The pontiff made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, delivering a blessing and greeting crowds in St. Peter’s Square from the popemobile.
A Rosary prayer was held at sunset in the square on Monday evening, marking the Vatican’s first public commemoration following the pope’s death. The service was led by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica. Sister Raffaella Petrini, president of the Vatican City State and one of the highest-ranking women in the Vatican, delivered the first reading — a reflection of Francis’ push for greater roles for women in church leadership.
The Vatican said Pope Francis had requested to be buried in a simple underground tomb at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, home to his favored icon of the Virgin Mary. No date has yet been announced for the funeral or the conclave to elect the next pope.
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, became pope in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He gained international attention for his humility, progressive stances on climate change, capitalism, and migration, but faced criticism from conservative factions within the Church.
“I hope that whoever comes after him can be as competent, as affectionate and as loving,” said Mary Soul, a Christian resident of Aleppo, Syria. The College of Cardinals will now prepare to convene to elect Francis’ successor in the coming weeks.
