ISLAMABAD: Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church and spiritual leader to 1.3 billion people worldwide, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday. He passed away at his residence in Vatican City following a prolonged illness and recent hospitalization.
In accordance with his personal wishes, the pontiff will be laid to rest at Rome’s Saint Mary Major Cemetery—marking the first papal burial outside the Vatican in over a century.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires before being elected the 266th pope on March 13, 2013. He succeeded Pope Benedict XVI following his historic resignation, becoming the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to hold the papacy.
Over his 12-year tenure, Pope Francis was widely recognized for his compassionate leadership, his advocacy for the poor and marginalized, and his vocal stance on global challenges such as climate change, social justice, and refugee rights. He also spearheaded internal reforms within the Vatican and worked to modernize the Church’s approach to contemporary issues.
The Vatican will release details in the coming days regarding funeral arrangements and the forthcoming conclave to elect his successor. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in from global leaders and religious communities honoring the late pope’s transformative legacy and spiritual leadership.
