Pope Francis Passes Away at 88, Leaves Behind a Legacy of Compassion and Reform

Vatican City / New Delhi: Pope Francis, the revered head of the Roman Catholic Church and a global symbol of compassion and humility, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that the Holy Father died at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, following a prolonged battle with respiratory ailments and pneumonia.

In a solemn message on X (formerly Twitter), the Vatican stated:
“Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.”

Cardinal Kevin Farrell delivered the official announcement on the Vatican’s TV channel, saying:
“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.”

The Pope’s death marks the end of an era defined by his outspoken advocacy for the poor, environmental stewardship, and interfaith dialogue. Known for his progressive stances and deep empathy, Pope Francis was widely regarded as a reformer and a bridge-builder in a rapidly changing world.

Just a day before his passing, on Easter Sunday morning, Pope Francis had a brief private meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was visiting Italy with his family. The Vatican’s Press Office had noted that the interaction was brief but cordial, as Vance visited the Secretariat of State before continuing his journey to India.

In India, where the Catholic Church has a significant presence, tributes poured in for the pontiff. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had personally met Pope Francis and invited him to visit India, is expected to issue a formal message of condolence.

The Prime Minister had earlier posted on X following his meeting with the Pope during the G7 Outreach Summit in Borgo Egnazia last year: “Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India.”

Their first meeting occurred in October 2021, when Pope Francis received Prime Minister Modi for a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. It was the first time an Indian Prime Minister had met the Pope in over two decades—after late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to meet Pope John Paul II in June 2000.

Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit and the first Latin American Pope in history when he was elected in March 2013. His papacy was marked by outreach to marginalized communities, bold reforms in the Vatican bureaucracy, and a relentless call to protect the environment, articulated strongly in his encyclical Laudato Si’.

Under his leadership, the Vatican strengthened interreligious ties, including with Hindu and Muslim communities worldwide. India and the Holy See, which established diplomatic relations in 1948, share a warm relationship. India is home to over 20 million Catholics, making it the second-largest Catholic population in Asia.