By Divine Sam
Pope Francis Passes Away at 88 in Vatican Residence
Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, according to an official announcement from the Vatican.
The pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away peacefully in his residence at 7:35 AM, as confirmed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell on the Vatican’s 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,” Farrell stated.
Elected on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis made history as the first Latin American and Jesuit to become pope. His papacy was marked by a strong focus on humility, inclusion, and reform within the Church.
In recent months, Pope Francis had been battling serious health issues, including a severe case of double pneumonia.
His leadership sparked both admiration and controversy. While many praised his progressive stance on social issues and emphasis on compassion, he also faced criticism from both conservative and progressive circles—some accusing him of undermining long-held traditions, others believing he hadn’t pushed reform far enough.
The world now mourns the passing of a transformative and deeply human spiritual leader.
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