Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church who led the Holy See since 2013, passed away on Monday morning, as reported by the Vatican's press service on Facebook.
"With deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father, Francis. At 7:35 AM today, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," stated Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
He noted that Pope Francis devoted his entire life to serving the Lord and the Church.
"With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust Pope Francis' soul to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God," added Farrell.
In 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected Pope, choosing the name Francis I.
Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires to an Italian immigrant family and a railway worker. He was the youngest of five children. He graduated as a chemical technician and studied at the Villa Devoto Seminary in Buenos Aires. He joined the Jesuit order on March 11, 1958, and taught literature, philosophy, and theology at three Catholic colleges in Buenos Aires.
On December 13, 1969, Bergoglio was ordained a priest. In the 1970s, he held various positions within the Jesuit order in Argentina.
Pope John Paul II elevated Bergoglio to cardinal at the consistory on February 21, 2001, in Vatican City.
In January 2025, Francis fell ill with bronchitis, and on February 14, he was hospitalized as the illness developed into a chronic form. After X-rays and laboratory tests, he was also diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. In March, his condition improved, and he was discharged on the 23rd, with his first public appearance on April 6.
On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at noon, Pope Francis gave the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, after which he greeted pilgrims in the square. The Easter "Urbi et Orbi" message was read by the Master of Papal Ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, in the presence of the Pope. Among other things, the message expressed a wish for the Risen Christ to bring the Easter gift of peace to Ukraine and support efforts toward achieving a just and lasting peace. Afterward, Pope Francis gave the solemn blessing to all.
Pope Francis I was the first pope from a South American country.
