Vatican City (TDI): The First Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has died on Monday morning, according to the video message released by the Vatican.
The death of the Roman Catholic Church’s top leader has brought an end to a turbulent reign marked by internal divisions and conflicts which he sought to overcome in his efforts to reform the institution.
The 88-year-old Pope Francis had recently survived a serious attack of double pneumonia. On February 14, he was admitted to the hospital for bronchitis treatment and received blood transfusions after the doctors diagnosed that he had low levels of platelets associated with anemia.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the news on the Vatican’s official television channel, “Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.” “At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” he said.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/jUIkbplVi2
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025
Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, and was known for his concern for the poor as well as his simplicity.
Unlike his predecessors, he never took possession of overly decorated papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, saying he preferred to live amongst the community members for his “psychological health.”
When he assumed the role of Pope, the Roman Catholic Church was under attack over the child sex abuse scandal, as well as infighting among the Vatican bureaucracy. He was elected with a clear mandate to restore order and the image of the Church.
During his papacy, he faced severe criticism from both the conservatives and the progressives. The conservatives had accused him of not celebrating cherished traditions, whereas the progressives felt he should have made remarkable progress in reshaping the 2000 years old institution.
Pope Francis took strict measures to clean up the financial corruption in the Vatican and tackled the issue of clerical misconduct meanwhile enforcing the laws to hold bishops accountable for coverups and financial exploitation.
Despite the criticisms he faced from the conservatives and progressives, Pope Francis received global appreciation and recognition for his services to promote interfaith dialogue and peace, taking sides with marginalized communities such as migrants.
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Pope Francis, during his last address to the nation on Easter Sunday, raised his voice for the people of Gaza and said, “I appeal once again for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, for the release of the hostages… and access to humanitarian aid.” He called the international community to “come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”
He also highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and said that Yemen is “experiencing one of the world’s most serious and prolonged humanitarian crises because of war.” He urged all parties involved in the conflict to find a solution through a constructive dialogue.
The process of electing a new pope of the Roman Catholic Church will begin in the next 15 to 20 days.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, Europe's Security, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
