Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed Monday. According to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department, the cause of death was a stroke that left the pope in a coma and ultimately led to heart failure.
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, had long contended with chronic health issues, including lung complications stemming from the removal of part of one lung during his youth. Earlier this year, he was hospitalized for 38 days due to a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.
The death of a sitting pope triggers a highly structured period of mourning and transition, deeply rooted in centuries of Vatican tradition. The College of Cardinals will soon convene in the Sistine Chapel to begin the Conclave, the secretive and solemn process by which they will elect the next pope. The decision requires a two-thirds majority and is conducted behind closed doors under tight security and ceremonial procedures.
Pope Francis’ papacy was marked by both sweeping popularity and pointed controversy. Elected in 2013 following the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Francis was seen as a reformer poised to modernize the Church. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff in over 1,200 years.
His tenure brought renewed focus on issues such as climate change, poverty, and social justice. Francis made global headlines for his outreach to marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ Catholics, and his efforts to hold clergy accountable in abuse scandals. However, these actions drew criticism from conservative factions within the Church, who viewed his approach as a departure from traditional doctrine.
As the Church enters a period of transition, attention now turns to the Conclave and the future direction of the Catholic faith under its next leader. Pope Francis leaves behind a deeply transformative—yet polarizing—legacy that will shape the Church for years to come.