Mon Apr 21 11:26:25 UTC 2025: ## Pope Francis Dies at 88, Ending Historic Papacy
**Vatican City** – Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a globally beloved figure known for his humble demeanor and advocacy for the poor, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. Cardinal Kevin Farrell delivered the somber news on Vatican television, confirming the Pope’s death at 7:35 AM local time (5:35 GMT).
Francis, who had been hospitalized several times in recent years for various ailments including bronchitis, pneumonia, and knee pain, had recently recovered from a serious bout of bilateral pneumonia. Just a day before his death, he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet Easter Sunday worshippers.
His 12-year papacy saw him grapple with the ongoing child sex abuse scandal within the Church, internal dissent, and calls for reform from both conservative and progressive factions. Despite this, he championed social justice, environmental protection, and migrant rights, significantly reorganizing the Vatican bureaucracy and undertaking extensive international travel. His legacy includes the creation of numerous saints, major teaching documents, and significant appointments of women to leadership positions within the Vatican. Notable decisions include allowing priests to bless same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis.
The Pope’s death triggers the process of selecting his successor. A conclave of cardinals will convene within 15-20 days to elect a new pope. Until then, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo, will oversee the Vatican’s day-to-day operations. Breaking with tradition, Pope Francis requested a simple burial in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, rather than St. Peter’s Basilica, reflecting his commitment to humility. He will be the first pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside the Vatican.
First Piper 