Beloved Catholic Leader Passes on Easter Sunday After Health Struggles

Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, died on Easter Sunday at the age of 88 following a prolonged battle with health complications, Vatican News announced.

The pontiff’s death comes after a five-week hospitalization for double pneumonia, marking the end of an 11-year papacy that brought significant reforms to the Catholic Church and established Francis as a powerful voice for social justice, environmental protection, and interfaith dialogue.

Final public appearance

Despite his failing health, Pope Francis made a brief appearance at the conclusion of Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, though he was unable to preside over the celebration himself. His final public message reflected his longstanding commitment to peace and humanitarian concerns.

In what would become his last public address, the pope issued an impassioned plea for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He also called upon Hamas to release its remaining hostages and expressed concern over what he described as a “worrisome” trend of antisemitism worldwide.

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Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis made history in 2013 as the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church. His papacy was characterized by efforts to reform Vatican bureaucracy, advocate for migrants and refugees, address climate change, and build bridges with other religious communities.

Throughout his leadership, Pope Francis maintained a relatively humble lifestyle, eschewing the papal apartments for simpler accommodations and often prioritizing outreach to marginalized populations.

Global impact and legacy

During his pontificate, Francis traveled to over 50 countries, published influential encyclicals on environmental stewardship and fraternity among peoples, and worked to address scandals that had damaged the Church’s reputation.

His approach to pastoral care, which emphasized mercy and inclusion, sometimes generated controversy among more traditional elements within the Church but was widely praised by those seeking greater openness within Catholicism.

Succession process

With the papal seat now vacant, the College of Cardinals will convene in Rome in the coming weeks for a conclave to elect a successor. The process typically begins 15 to 20 days after a pope’s death, allowing time for cardinals from around the world to gather in Vatican City.

World leaders and religious divs have begun issuing statements of condolence, recognizing Pope Francis’s significant contributions to global humanitarian dialogue and interfaith understanding during his tenure as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

“Heart goes out to millions of Christians”: US Vice President JD Vance

US Vice President JD Vance, who is in India for a four-day visit, mourned Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. The US vice president, before heading to India, met Pope Francis in the Vatican on Easter. 

“I just leaned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful,” Mr Vance wrote in a post on X.

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