Pope Francis, Church Reformer and First Latin American Pontiff, Dies at 88
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and a transformative figure in the modern history of the papacy, has died at the age of 88.
The Vatican confirmed his passing in an official statement released early Monday morning. Details surrounding his death are still emerging.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European pontiff in more than 1,000 years.
Widely regarded as a humble yet bold reformer, Francis spent his papacy advocating for social justice, dialogue between faiths, care for the environment, and a more inclusive Church.
He will be remembered for his progressive stance on many global issues, his efforts to modernize Church doctrine, and his deep compassion for the marginalized.
Details shortly.
