Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. As the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, his legacy is one of reform, compassion, and a bold reimagining of the Church’s role in the modern world.

He made history from the first moment he stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on 13 March 2013. Not only was he the first Jesuit pope, he was the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European to hold the office in over a millennium, since Syrian-born Pope Gregory III in the 8th century.

With a warm smile and a disarming simplicity, the newly elected Pope Francis greeted the world with a gentle wave and a humble request: “Pray for me.”

Life rooted in service

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents, Bergoglio’s path to the priesthood began after a life-threatening illness in his youth that inspired a deep spiritual calling. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1958 and was ordained a priest in 1969. By 1973, he had become the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina during a time of great political turmoil and violence.

His deep empathy for the poor and commitment to justice took root during those turbulent years and would continue to shape his moral compass. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, earning the nickname “The Slum Bishop” for his pastoral care of the city’s most impoverished communities. Elevated to cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II, Bergoglio was known for his humility, simple lifestyle, and steadfast commitment to serving the marginalized.

A papacy of firsts and reforms

From the outset, Pope Francis made a powerful statement by choosing the name of St. Francis of Assisi — reflecting his vision for a Church rooted in humility, compassion for the poor, a love for peace, and care for the environment.

From the start, he broke with tradition, residing in the modest Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than the ornate papal apartments, signaling his preference for a less hierarchical and more pastoral Church.

Throughout his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis became known for his transformative — and at times controversial — approach to Church doctrine and governance. He appointed women to high-ranking positions in the Roman Curia for the first time, initiated a worldwide conversation through the Synod on Synodality, and opened doors for lay and LGBTQ+ Catholics to feel more seen and heard within the Church.

Francis staunchly defended migrants and refugees, called for the decriminalization of homosexuality, and sought to build bridges in global diplomacy — from helping restore US-Cuba relations to negotiating with China on bishop appointments.

A vocal critic of capitalism and environmental destruction, he authored the “Laudato Si,” a landmark encyclical that challenged both Catholics and the broader world to care for “our common home.”

He also made bold statements against the death penalty, declaring it as “inadmissible” under any circumstance — redefining a stance that evolved significantly in recent decades.

A pastoral heart in a divided world

Francis’ tone was one of mercy over judgment. He famously remarked, “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gay priests early in his papacy, a quote that would come to symbolize his compassionate, pastoral approach. He emphasized healing over doctrine, dialogue over dogma, and a Church that “goes out to the peripheries.”

Even in moments of tension — whether dealing with internal Church scandals, divisions over liturgical reforms, or the backlash from conservative factions — Francis remained steadfast in his belief that the Church must be a “field hospital” in the world, caring first for wounds before addressing rules.

In 2022, he formally apologized for the Church’s role in the cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada, traveling to meet survivors and offering a heartfelt plea for forgiveness.

The final journey

In his final years, Pope Francis battled chronic lung issues and suffered a severe respiratory crisis in early 2025. Yet even amid his declining health, he continued to lead — presiding over Easter celebrations shortly before his death.

On Easter Monday, he peacefully passed away in Vatican City, leaving behind a global Church deeply changed by his shepherding.

Pope Francis’ passing marks the end of an era shaped by humility, courage, and a powerful return to a Church rooted in mercy and mission.

His papacy may have begun with a request for prayers, but it ended with millions praying — grateful for a Pope who walked with them, especially those in the margins.

In his own words: “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” And through his life, Pope Francis radiated that mercy to the world.