Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, just one day after leading global Easter celebrations. The Vatican confirmed his passing early Monday morning, marking the end of a historic and transformative papacy that spanned more than a decade.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 before being elected pope in March 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Francis had battled a number of health issues in recent years, including lung complications, knee problems, and colon surgery, with his condition reportedly worsening in the months leading up to Easter. Despite his frailty, he continued to lead Easter Mass and met with world leaders, including U.S. President JD Vance, just a day before his death.
Pope Francis will be remembered as a humble and reform-minded pontiff who sought to reshape the Catholic Church to reflect a more inclusive, compassionate, and socially conscious institution. His papacy was defined by powerful gestures of solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, and refugees. He famously declared, “I am one of you,” a phrase that came to define the simplicity and accessibility of his leadership.
During his time as pope, Francis played key roles in international diplomacy, including facilitating peace talks in Colombia and the Central African Republic, and helping thaw relations between the United States and Cuba. He was also an outspoken advocate for climate action, social justice, and interfaith dialogue.
However, his tenure was not without controversy. He faced criticism for not speaking out more forcefully against Argentina’s military dictatorship during the 1970s and for his handling of the Catholic Church’s global sex abuse scandals.
Still, he broke papal norms with his humility and approachability. He chose to live in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the apostolic palace and was often seen mingling with the public. His visits to refugee camps and migrant communities, especially during Europe’s migration crisis, earned him global admiration.
Pope Francis’ death marks the end of a remarkable era for the Catholic Church, with millions mourning a leader who touched lives far beyond the pulpit
