Mon Apr 21 10:44:08 UTC 2025: ## Pope Francis Passes Away at 88
**Vatican City, April 21, 2025** – Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, has passed away at the age of 88. His death was announced today, marking the end of a papacy that spanned over a decade and witnessed significant global events, including the 2001 financial crisis, the recent Israel-Hamas war, and the ongoing challenge of clergy sexual abuse allegations.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 to Italian immigrants, entered the Society of Jesus in 1958. His papacy, beginning in 2013, was characterized by extensive international travel, culminating in a recent 12-day trip to Southeast Asia, his longest journey to date. The pontiff’s tenure also grappled with internal Church challenges, notably addressing the widespread allegations of child sexual abuse. A full timeline of his papacy and how he navigated these global and internal crises will be forthcoming.
First Piper 