On the 21st of April 2025, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 due to a stroke and heart failure. Pope Francis inspired many leaders and people alike around the globe; his life has had a meaningful impact on the world.
Born in Buenos Aires in 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio spent his early years in Argentina, studying to become a chemical technician in high school and later changing his course of study to priesthood. In 1958 Bergoglio entered the Jesuit province and became an ordained priest in 1969, later becoming provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina in 1973 during a murderous dictatorship: the dirty war. In 1992 Pope John Paul II appointed Bergoglio as Titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires. He later was raised to Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1997 and later Archbishop in 1998 and Cardinal in 2001.
On March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pope, the first Latin-American Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit Pope, and the first Pope to be from outside of Europe in 1000’s of years. Once accepting Papacy, Bergoglio chose the name Pope Francis in honor of the Saint Francis of Assisi who was a humble servant to the poor. Pope Francis did his best throughout his life living up to the name of Saint Francis by being an advocate for the poor and living a poor lifestyle. Pope Francis traveled by modes of public transportation, cooked for himself, donated all his money, and lived in a small apartment. Pope Francis was a man for the people, accomplishing and speaking out for those who faced oppression and difficulties: endorsed rights for indigenous people, criticized wasteful consumption with the climate crisis, apologized to survivors of sexual abuse by the clergy, blessed the marriage of same sex couples, prayed with Israeli and Palestinian presidents for peace, worked to make catholic divorce easier, challenged American government to reduce poverty, was the first Pope to visit Iraq and Mongolia, prayed over dead Mexican migrants at the border, opened first Vatican summit on child protection, advocated for women to vote alongside bishops for the first time, and washed citizens feet regularly.
In the last few years of his life, Pope Francis was facing critical health issues. In 2023, the Pope was first admitted to the hospital for respiratory infections and underwent many surgeries in the following months. In January 2025 he had fallen and later in February was admitted again into the hospital for bronchitis which worsened into lung infections and double pneumonia. It was in February where doctors thought his condition was critical, but he had recovered briefly in March. The week before his death he had continued to perform his duties as Pope during Holy Week before Easter. His last appearance was on Easter Morning for on Easter Monday he was pronounced dead due to a stroke and heart failure at 7:35am local time. Pope Francis was a man for the people and a Pope of many firsts. His impact on the world continues from his life to well after his death. He will be remembered.
Pope Francis: A Life in Pictures
Pope Francis has died. Here’s a Timeline of Some Key Events in His Life.
Pope Francis, Voice for the Who Transformed the Catholic Church, Dies on Easter Monday
