Pope Francis Dies Aged 88: Vatican Announces Passing of Pontiff

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88: Vatican Announces Passing of Pontiff

During his 12 years as pontiff, Pope Francis made a significant impact on the Catholic Church and the wider world.

RMN News Story
April 21, 2025

Vatican City: The Vatican has announced the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. The pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, passed away after a prolonged illness. The last few months of his 12-year papacy had been marked by several hospital visits and increasing concerns about his health.

Francis, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, became pope in 2013 following the resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. As the first pope from the Americas, his election at age 76 brought a new perspective to the Holy See.

During his 12 years as pontiff, Pope Francis made a significant impact on the Catholic Church and the wider world. His tenure was characterised by efforts to open the Church to the modern world. Key actions and achievements during his papacy include:

• Reorganising the Vatican’s bureaucracy.
• Writing four major teaching documents.
• Undertaking 47 foreign trips to more than 65 countries.
• The creation of over 900 saints.
• Allowing priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis.
• Appointing women to serve as leaders of Vatican offices for the first time.
• Holding five major Vatican summits of the world’s Catholic bishops to discuss contested issues such as women’s ordination and changing the Church’s sexual teachings.

Pope Francis had suffered from various ailments throughout his papacy. His recent hospital visits had raised concerns about his well-being in the lead-up to his death.

The passing of Pope Francis marks the end of a significant chapter for the Roman Catholic Church and will undoubtedly lead to a period of mourning and the process of electing a new pope.