The world marks the passing of one of the most liberally-inclined leaders in recent history of Catholicism. After serving a tenure of 12 years, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 early on a Monday morning. His journey as the head of the Catholic Church began on March 13, 2013, and concluded with the tolling of bells across Rome, as news of his demise was made public.
The announcement of the Pope’s passing was made from the Domus Santa Marta by Cardinal Kevin Farrell. It was the place where the Pope lived and where he drew his last breath. Farrell described his life as dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He further emphasized the values that the Pope lived by, which included faithfulness, bravery, and universal love, especially directed towards society’s most marginalized.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known to the world as Pope Francis, had a unique distinction; he was the first Pope that originated from outside of Europe in over a millennium. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his journey wasn’t that of a conventional religious figure. Francis worked in various capacities, as a bouncer and janitor before diving into academics with a stint as a chemist.
In 1958, Bergoglio joined the Jesuits, marking his entry into the religious sphere after which there was no looking back. After an enduring journey through the church hierarchy, he was appointed the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. Three years later, Pope John Paul II further recognized his service and dedication, elevating him to the cardinal’s rank.
The year 2013 was monumental for the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI, in an unprecedented move, resigned from his position, making him the first pope to step down since 1415. This led to the rise of Francis as his successor, making waves throughout the Church due to the more liberal mindset that he brought with him, causing some friction with the conservative factions of the Church.
Francis was a dogged fighter against his chronic lung disease. Having had part of one lung removed during his youth, Francis found himself in frequent bouts with respiratory issues. On February 14, 2025, he was rushed to the hospital due to a respiratory crisis morphing into double pneumonia. The last time the world saw him was on Easter Sunday, during a mass for thousands of believers in St. Peter’s Square, just a day before his passing.
In his time at the helm, Pope Francis made headway in breaking some of the entrenched norms of the Church. He was responsible for the appointment of Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, to head a major Vatican office. A first such appointment of a female to a rank of this level within the Church was a manifestation of his more liberal stances.
However, Pope Francis’ liberal leaning did not extend to all aspects of Catholic teaching. He remained staunch in his opposition towards abortion, branding it as an ‘absolute evil.’ This particular stance was a reminder of how even the most progressive among the Church can still adhere strictly to traditional doctrines.
The Pope’s final years were mired in controversies shadowing the Catholic Church concerning sexual abuse scandals. Survivors put forth their experiences, shedding light on the grim reality within. In response, Francis formed a papal commission to address the issue and made it compulsory for abuse to be reported within dioceses, though this may have been seen as too little, too late by some.
The Pope’s health had been a concern for some years prior to his demise. In addition to suffering from lung issues, he also underwent several surgeries. In 2021, a large part of his large intestine was removed. A hernia in his abdominal wall was repaired, and intestinal scar tissue was removed in 2023.
With the passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church now faces a period of transition. The College of Cardinals, following tradition, will convene to elect a new Pope. The selection process typically commences 15 to 20 days after the incumbent Pope’s passing or resignation.
The upcoming selection is important not only because it will determine the next Pope, but because only Cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote. As per Church traditions, every baptized male is technically eligible to be elected Pope. However, the last non-Cardinal Pope was elected back in 1378, making it almost a foregone conclusion that the next Pope will be from the current roster of Cardinals.
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