365NEWS gathered that Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, marking the end of a papacy defined by humility, reform, and a deep commitment to the marginalised.
His death was announced just eight days after he made a hopeful and cherished appearance at Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, April 13.
“With profound sadness, I announce the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis,
“At 7:35 a.m. (0535 GMT) this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, peacefully departed to the house of the Father. His life was wholly devoted to serving God and the Church,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a statement released via the Vatican’s Telegram channel.
Below is the highlights of things to know about the late pope.
Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the eldest of five children in a devout Catholic family of Italian descent.
His father, Mario José Bergoglio, was an Italian immigrant who fled fascist Italy in 1929, and his mother, Regina María Sívori, was born in Argentina to Italian parents.
Growing up in a modest, working-class household, Bergoglio maintained a lifelong connection to the poor—a theme that would define his papacy. He was educated by the Salesians of Don Bosco during his childhood and graduated as a chemical technician before entering religious life.
In his early adult years, he worked humble jobs, including as a nightclub bouncer and janitor. At age 21, he underwent surgery to remove part of a lung due to a severe respiratory illness—an experience that had a deep spiritual impact on him.
His calling to the priesthood came after a powerful experience during confession. He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1958 and later earned degrees in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest on December 13, 1969.
In 1973, Bergoglio became the provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina at age 36. That same year, he made his final Jesuit vows and embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which was cut short by the Yom Kippur War.
From 1980 to 1986, he served as rector of the Jesuit seminary in San Miguel. His academic pursuits also took him to Ireland and Germany, where he deepened his theological knowledge.
Despite later tensions with the Jesuit leadership, Bergoglio continued his ecclesiastical ascent. In 1992, he was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, and in 1998, he was appointed archbishop of the city. Known for rejecting luxury, he chose to live in a small apartment and cooked his own meals.
He was made a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II and became a prominent moral voice during Argentina’s economic collapse, defending the rights of the poor.
On March 13, 2013, he was elected pope following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He became the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, choosing the name Francis in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Throughout his papacy, Francis was known for rejecting traditional papal luxury, opting instead for modest attire and accommodations. He launched sweeping reforms in the Vatican aimed at improving transparency and accountability.
In 2015, he released Laudato Si’, a landmark encyclical on climate change, calling it a moral imperative to protect “our common home.”
He also promoted a more inclusive Church, emphasising mercy and compassion. Francis was open to dialogue on issues like divorce, LGBTQ inclusion, and family life.
He confronted the Church’s historical wrongs, notably apologising for the abuse of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools, which he described as “cultural genocide.”
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025.
