Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from Latin America, has died at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his passing occurred at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, marking the end of a papacy that reshaped the Church in a time of deep global uncertainty and division.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was the son of Italian immigrants. Before entering the seminary, he trained as a chemical technician and worked as a janitor and nightclub bouncer — an unconventional path that would later become symbolic of his humble and grounded approach to leadership. Ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969, Bergoglio rose through the ranks, becoming Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and cardinal in 2001.

In 2013, following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio was elected pope — becoming the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European to hold the office in over 1,200 years. Taking the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, he quickly gained a reputation for simplicity, compassion, and reform. He chose to reside in a modest Vatican guesthouse rather than the traditional Apostolic Palace and regularly advocated for the poor, migrants, and the environment.

Pope Francis’ decade-long papacy was marked by efforts to modernize the Church’s tone and priorities. He called for a more welcoming approach to LGBTQ Catholics, addressed the sexual abuse crisis with unprecedented candor, and released the landmark encyclical Laudato si’ on climate change, urging global ecological action. However, his tenure also faced criticism from conservative factions within the Church who viewed his reforms as overly progressive or doctrinally ambiguous.

In recent months, the pontiff’s health had become an increasing concern. Though he remained active in public life, his mobility was limited, and he was hospitalized multiple times for respiratory issues. Still, he continued to speak out on world affairs, including the conflict in the Middle East.

Just yesterday; in what would be his final  address, Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and greater humanitarian efforts. His comments on the Israel-Hamas war sparked backlash from Jewish leaders and Israeli officials, who viewed some of his statements as lacking balance. However, he also made personal gestures of solidarity, including an emotional meeting earlier this year with the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage being held by Hamas.

Remarkably, U.S. Senator JD Vance met privately with the Pope just yesterday — one of the final diplomatic meetings of Francis’ life.

The Vatican has not yet released details on funeral arrangements or the timeline for the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope. The Church now begins a period of mourning as Catholics around the world reflect on the legacy of a pope who broke centuries-old traditions, championed the downtrodden, and left an indelible mark on the global stage.