Pope Francis DIES On Easter Monday; He Was 88

Pope Francis has died. The announcement was made by the Vatican early on Monday morning during Easter, one of the holiest holidays for Christians. He was 88 years old and the second oldest pontiff in history.

The octogenarian Pontiff was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He made history as the first Jesuit Pope, first non-European and Latin American to assume the papacy in over a thousand years.

Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio and newly elected Pope Francis I, waves from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican after assuming the papacy on March 13, 2013. He became the 266th pontiff after the historic resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Credit: Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis via Getty Images

*Pope Benedict XVI made history by becoming the first Pontiff in history to resign. Credit: Getty Images*

He took over as leader of the Catholic Church and the Catholic Faithful on March 2013 after the historic resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, and remained in that position for 12 years until his death on Easter Monday.

When the new Pontiff chose the name, ‘Francis’ in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi and the founder of the Franciscan Order, it wasn’t a surprise but a befitting name for a practising Jesuit. As a ‘Franciscan Jesuit’, Pope Francis rejected all riches and rather valued simplicity and poverty.

*Pope Francis I, the last time he was seen in public before his death, rides on the Pope Mobile on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at The Vatican in Rome. Credit: Marco Lacobucci/Shutterstock*

With his death, there are already growing calls for a return to normalcy with the appointment of a traditional, conservative pontiff as Pope Francis was deemed too liberal. His views and beliefs were considered rather controversial and often in contrast to the catholic and Christian values and doctrine.

Not only was he seen as an unapologetic progressive, Pope Francis was also a globalist who was for open borders and advocated for the COVID-19 vaccines.

The frail and sickly Pope Francis I, on a wheelchair, waves from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday, his last day in public on April 20, 2025, before he died on Easter Monday. Credit: AFP via Getty Images

Furthermore, his openness, support and even embrace to highly unchristian” issues such as abortion and homosexuality put him at odds with most in his flock. He was also an open advocate of ordaining female priests, same sex marriages including the LGBTQ+ agenda both within and outside his purview as a Pope.

Pope Francis had been ill for some time these last few years with reports citing pneumonia and lung problems which contributed to his problem with breathing. However, according to the Vatican, his death is said to be unrelated to the same ailements but is as a result of irreversible heart failure and stroke.

His funeral and burial arrangements are yet to be announced.

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