Pope Francis Dies at 88

Allison Bennett

Staff Writer

On Monday, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis suffered a stroke that resulted in a comatose state, which led to heart failure and his unfortunate death at age 88. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latin American pontiff who alienated conservatives with his critiques of capitalism and climate change, reports the The Associated Press.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell said from the chapel of the Dous Santa Marta, where Francis resided, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”

Francis suffered from a chronic lung disease, having part of one lung removed in his younger years. In February 2025, he was hospitalized for 38 days after suffering a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.

Pope Francis’ medical team and doctor concluded there was no point in rushing him to the hospital following his stroke, given the severity of his condition and his standing orders to avoid extreme medical treatment. Sergio Alfieri, a surgeon who coordinated Francis’ treatment during his five-week hospitalization and who responded to his emergency on Monday, said in a Washington Post article, “He died without suffering, at home.” Further stating that hospitalizing him would have been “useless” because he probably would’ve died en route, and he “knew the Pope wanted to die at home.”

The Holy See Press Office announced that from 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, to 7 p.m., more than 90,000 people passed through the basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis.

He made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday, a day before his death, to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square. He used the final days of his papacy to emphasize his main themes, particularly the need to defend migrants and others on the margins of society, writes The New York Times.

Alfieri told La Repubblica that Pope Francis had one final regret. That when he visited with prisoners on Holy Thursday, a papal tradition in emulation of the humility of Jesus, he was not strong enough to wash their feet.

In his final will, Francis confirmed he would be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple underground tomb with only “Franciscus” written on it.

Pope Francis was elected on a mandate to reform the Vatican bureaucracy and finances, but shook the church further without changing its core doctrine. He told the The Associated Press in 2023, “Being homosexual is not a crime,” urging an end to civil laws that criminalize it. The Pope also changed the church’s position on the death penalty, calling it inadmissible in all circumstances. He also declared that the possession of nuclear weapons, not just their use, was “immoral.”

While he reaffirmed the all-male, celibate priesthood, he added women to important decision-making roles and allowed them to serve as lectors and acolytes in parishes. Further, he let women vote alongside bishops in periodic Vatican meetings, following a long-standing complaint that women do much of the church’s work, but are barred from power.

Image courtesy of Getty Images.