Pope Francis died on Monday morning at the age of 88, just a day after greeting thousands of worshippers at Saint Peter’s Square during the Easter Sunday celebration.
His death was announced by the Vatican, confirming that he passed away at 7:35 am in Rome.
Despite his ongoing health struggles, the Pope made a public appearance from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday.
It was a moment that brought joy to many in the crowd, especially after he had spent several weeks in the hospital due to pneumonia.
He had only recently been discharged from the hospital on March 23 after staying for 38 days.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he made history in 2013 when he became the first Pope from the Americas and the first non-European Pope in more than 1,200 years.
Before him, Gregory III, who died in 741, had been the last non-European Bishop of Rome. Pope Francis was also the first Jesuit priest to become Pope.
His time as the head of the Catholic Church saw many changes. He led with a simple style, often speaking about kindness, peace, and helping others.
While he introduced some changes to how the Church worked, he was still respected by many traditional followers.
Pope Francis became Pope after the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down in 2013 — a move not seen in nearly 600 years.
For almost a decade, both men lived within the Vatican walls, a rare moment in Church history.
Francis remained active in his role until his final days.
His Easter Sunday appearance, though brief, was filled with warmth as he waved and spoke to the crowd, offering prayers for peace and freedom.
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