POPE Francis has died at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness, the Vatican confirmed on Monday.
The pontiff had been suffering from a respiratory condition described as a “prolonged asthma-like crisis” linked to thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder, according to an earlier statement from the Holy See.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, to Italian immigrant parents, he studied in Argentina and later in Germany before being ordained a Jesuit priest in 1969.
Elected pope in 2013, Francis became the first pontiff from Latin America and the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
Over his more than 10-year papacy, he became known for his humility, progressive views on social issues, and his efforts to reform the Vatican’s bureaucracy and combat corruption.
While many admired him for championing the poor and marginalized, his leadership was not without controversy. Conservative factions within the Church and traditionalist critics often challenged his inclusive stance on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, interfaith dialogue, and climate action.
Despite the opposition, Pope Francis remained a global symbol of compassion and reform until his final days.
