The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88.

In 2013, his predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned, and the pontiff, who was Bishop of Rome and chief of the Catholic Church, was elected pope.

His passing follows a prolonged hospitalisation in February and March, as well as a series of health issues in recent years.

The Vatican released a statement in which Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the news. He stated, “My dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sorrow that I must inform you of the passing of our Holy Father Francis.”

The Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s residence at 7:35 a.m. this morning. His entire existence was devoted to the service of the Lord and His Church.

“He instructed us to embody the principles of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, with a particular emphasis on the most impoverished and marginalised individuals.”

“We offer Pope Francis’ soul to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God with immense gratitude for his example as a genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus.”

The Vatican announced that Francis passed away on Monday morning, a mere day after he addressed the throngs in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

The conclave, which is the process of selecting a new pope, typically occurs within 15 to 20 days of the pontiff’s demise.

Recent hospitalisations

His papacy has been characterised by numerous hospital visits and health concerns in recent years.

The Pope was admitted to the infirmary on February 14th for treatment of bronchitis.

The Vatican announced in the days that followed that he had been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and had received blood transfusions as a result of low platelet levels in his blood, which are linked to anaemia.

The Vatican announced on February 22nd that the Pope was in a critical condition due to a “prolonged respiratory crisis” that necessitated a high flow of oxygen. The following day, the Vatican reported that Francis was exhibiting a “initial, mild” kidney failure.

In the days that followed, thousands of devout individuals convened in St. Peter’s Square to pray for his recovery, while others visited the Rome hospital where he was residing to present him with flowers and cards.

Due to his “complex,” he was hospitalised for the remainder of the month.

His voice was heard for the first time since his hospitalisation in an audio message dated March 6th, in which he expressed gratitude to his supporters and declared, “I am with you from here.”

A day after meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, he appeared at the Easter Sunday Service on Sunday to greet the audience.

On 23rd March, he concluded his 38-day hospital stay by making his first public appearance in five weeks on a balcony at Gemelli. He smiled and offered a thumbs up to the crowds that had gathered outside.

He returned to the Vatican, where he made a surprise stop at his favourite basilica on his way home. Subsequently, he commenced a two-month period of prescribed rest and recovery.

The doctors stated that Francis would have access to supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed. They also mentioned that, despite the successful treatment of the pneumonia infection, the pontiff would continue to take oral medication for an extended period to address the fungal infection in his lungs and to continue his respiratory and physical physiotherapy.

‘Pope of the People’

Francis, who was born in 1936, was the first pontiff from South America. He was called the “People’s Pope” for his support of the poor and those fleeing war and famine.

In 2016, he performed a “gesture of humility and service” by washing the feet of refugees from various religious backgrounds at an asylum centre located outside of Rome.

He also expressed his opinions on a diverse array of topics, including the role of women in the Catholic Church, wealth inequality, and climate change.

His acceptance of the LGBTQ community was unprecedented, beginning with an unexpected comment to reporters on a flight back from Brazil regarding homosexual clergy.

He stated, “Who am I to judge an individual who is gay and possesses good intentions and seeks God?”

Nevertheless, in April 2024, he signed the text “Dignitas Infinita” (Infinite Dignity), which appeared to reiterate the Vatican’s fervent opposition to euthanasia, abortion, surrogacy, and gender reassignment.

In the same year, his own liberal credentials were called into doubt following allegations that he had used a homophobic slur in private.

Pope’s heath in recent years

Francis had a portion of one lung excised when he was a young man in his native Argentina.

Francis’ public speaking was restricted during his final years due to his chronic bronchitis and illness, which necessitated the use of a wheelchair or cane to navigate.

In 2021, Francis underwent his first hospital stay as a pontiff for an operation to remove a portion of his colon.

He was admitted to the hospital in June 2023 for an operation on his intestine. The Vatican stated that he had been experiencing “recurrent, painful, and deteriorating” symptoms as a result of an abdominal hernia at the time.

He was compelled to miss significant events in the Roman Catholic calendar, such as the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum last year, due to his recent health issues.

In 2022, he suggested that he may resign if his health continued to decline. This was after he was photographed using a wheelchair to address mobility issues caused by a flare-up of sciatica, a nerve condition that causes leg discomfort.

In 2013, his predecessor, the late Benedict XVI, became the first pope to resign in over 600 years, rather than serving for life. He passed away in 2022.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Pope’s birth name, was previously used as a bishop in Buenos Aires.

Francis’ passing will be mourned by an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.