Pope Francis is no more. That's right, after battling serious health crises, the first Latin American pope took his last breath at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. The pope was hospitalised for 38 days due to a severe polymicrobial infection causing bilateral pneumonia, or in simpler terms, double pneumonia, compounded by chronic lung conditions and mild kidney failure. Although he was discharged just a week ago from the hospital, he took his last breath at 7:35 a.m. CEST on April 21, 2025, at his residence, Domus Sanctae Marthae, in Vatican City.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta
"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, 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. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." Cardinal said
As the world mourns this profound loss, there is much to discuss about one of the most beloved popes and his incredible journey. Many surely know about his life after the papacy, but do you know about the events that shaped this incredible life and led him to become one of the most beloved and influential popes in modern history? See the timeline of key moments.
Born on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents, Jorge Mario Bergoglio embarked on his religious path when he joined the Jesuit novitiate on 11 March 1958. From that moment, his journey was filled with incredible moments. He went on to become the first non-European pope in over 1,300 years, the first from Latin America, and the first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy.
Pope Francis is known for his humility, simplicity, and strong focus on helping the poor and marginalized. In fact, he has been a leading voice on environmental issues. Francis has also pushed for internal reforms within the Catholic Church, focusing on transparency and accountability, while emphasizing mercy and compassion, especially for those struggling with issues like divorce and LGBTQ+ rights.
Although many times his outspoken approach has attracted some criticism, one notable instance was during an interview in 2013, when he was asked about how the Catholic Church views gay individuals. His full sentiment was that if a person is gay and seeks God with goodwill, who was he to judge them? His famous words, "Who am I to judge?" when asked about gay clergy, sparked mixed reactions.