RELIGION
Groundbreaking Jesuit Pope Francis dies at age of 88
April 21, 2025 - Pope Francis, 88, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died one day after appearing in St. Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers.
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Francis’ death comes a day after the pope had made his first prolonged public appearance since being discharged on March 23 from a 38-day hospital stay for pneumonia.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he made history in 2013 as the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years and the first from the Jesuit order.
His leadership ushered in significant reforms, emphasising humility, inclusivity, and social justice.
Among his most notable achievements are the papal encyclical Laudato Si’, which addresses climate change and environmental stewardship; efforts to foster unity among Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians; historic apologies to survivors of clergy sexual abuse; and the promotion of women to roles traditionally held by men within the Church.