Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican announced today. The Pontiff spent his final weeks in hospital with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. The Conclave - where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor - will not happen for at least 15 days. Francis's body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica during an official mourning period, and then - in contrast to most of his predecessors - he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood.

Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican announced today. The Pontiff spent his final weeks in hospital with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. The Conclave – where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor – will not happen for at least 15 days. Francis’s body will lie in state in St Peter’s Basilica during an official mourning period, and then – in contrast to most of his predecessors – he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood.

Francis just yesterday greeted Catholic faithful who had gathered to see him at St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday . He delivered his 'Urbi et Orbi' benediction from a balcony overlooking the square following mass to mark the high holiday. On his way to the basilica, Francis met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance, who was spending Easter in Rome with his family. The Vatican said the encounter was 'brief' and lasted a few minutes. Francis became the first pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years when he was chosen to replace the retiring Pope Benedict XVI. Despite several previous health issues and reduced mobility caused in part by his advancing years and expanding waistline, Francis had kept up a busy schedule until his final weeks.

Francis just yesterday greeted Catholic faithful who had gathered to see him at St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday . He delivered his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ benediction from a balcony overlooking the square following mass to mark the high holiday. On his way to the basilica, Francis met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance, who was spending Easter in Rome with his family. The Vatican said the encounter was ‘brief’ and lasted a few minutes. Francis became the first pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years when he was chosen to replace the retiring Pope Benedict XVI. Despite several previous health issues and reduced mobility caused in part by his advancing years and expanding waistline, Francis had kept up a busy schedule until his final weeks.

In September 2024, he carried out a 12-day tour across south-east Asia and Oceania that included visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, will be remembered for his comparatively liberal attitudes on some subjects that made him both popular and controversial. He expressed tolerance towards divorcees, allowed priests to bless same-sex couples under certain circumstances, and put concern for the environment at the heart of his papacy. And he said in 2023 that transgender people could be baptised as long as it did not cause a scandal or 'confusion'.

In September 2024, he carried out a 12-day tour across south-east Asia and Oceania that included visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, will be remembered for his comparatively liberal attitudes on some subjects that made him both popular and controversial. He expressed tolerance towards divorcees, allowed priests to bless same-sex couples under certain circumstances, and put concern for the environment at the heart of his papacy. And he said in 2023 that transgender people could be baptised as long as it did not cause a scandal or ‘confusion’.

But he did stand firm on the subject of abortion. In a text signed by Francis that was released by the Vatican last year, terminations were described as 'an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense'. Francis was first hospitalised on February 14. His treatment meant he had to cancel appearances, including his regular weekly prayer to pilgrims in St Peter's Square. His final illness came after he was hospitalised for three days in March 2023 with bronchitis. In June that year he had a three-hour operation to repair an abdominal hernia. He also had to cancel his trip to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in November 2023 because of the effects of inluenza and lung inflammation. And he had two recent falls. After the first, in December 2024, he appeared with a large bruise on his chin during a ceremony in St Peter's Basilica to install 21 new Catholic cardinals.

But he did stand firm on the subject of abortion. In a text signed by Francis that was released by the Vatican last year, terminations were described as ‘an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense’. Francis was first hospitalised on February 14. His treatment meant he had to cancel appearances, including his regular weekly prayer to pilgrims in St Peter’s Square. His final illness came after he was hospitalised for three days in March 2023 with bronchitis. In June that year he had a three-hour operation to repair an abdominal hernia. He also had to cancel his trip to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in November 2023 because of the effects of inluenza and lung inflammation. And he had two recent falls. After the first, in December 2024, he appeared with a large bruise on his chin during a ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica to install 21 new Catholic cardinals.

In January this year, he fell and hurt his right arm, which had to be put into a sling. Francis's health was considered more fragile because of the fact that he had to have part of one of his lungs removed when he was 21 after developing pleurisy. Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936. He was one of five children of an Italian immigrant railway worker and his wife. He had an early love interest in the form of a girl named Amalia Damonte. She later recounted that he proposed to her despite their parents disapproving. Bergoglio allegedly told her: 'If I can't marry you, I will become a priest'. Damonte added: 'Fortunately for him, I said no.' The future Pope worked as a nightclub bouncer and trained as a chemical technician before joining the elite Society of Jesus after being inspired by a priest. At the age of 32, he became a Jesuit priest in his own right. Within four years, he was leading the local Jesuit community and in 1998 he was appointed archbishop of Buenos Aires. He was created a cardinal three years later by Pope John Paul II.

In January this year, he fell and hurt his right arm, which had to be put into a sling. Francis’s health was considered more fragile because of the fact that he had to have part of one of his lungs removed when he was 21 after developing pleurisy. Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936. He was one of five children of an Italian immigrant railway worker and his wife. He had an early love interest in the form of a girl named Amalia Damonte. She later recounted that he proposed to her despite their parents disapproving. Bergoglio allegedly told her: ‘If I can’t marry you, I will become a priest’. Damonte added: ‘Fortunately for him, I said no.’ The future Pope worked as a nightclub bouncer and trained as a chemical technician before joining the elite Society of Jesus after being inspired by a priest. At the age of 32, he became a Jesuit priest in his own right. Within four years, he was leading the local Jesuit community and in 1998 he was appointed archbishop of Buenos Aires. He was created a cardinal three years later by Pope John Paul II.

By then, he had garnered the nickname of the 'Slum Bishop' after focusing on poverty relief in the most deprived parts of Buenos Aires. In 2012 - the year before he became the Pope - Bergoglio stood out strongly against the government of Cristina Fernandez in Argentina. He said that his country was suffering from demagoguery, corruption and efforts to establish authoritarian rule. Bergoglio was chosen as Pope Benedict's successor on March 14, 2013. The German pontiff's shock resignation the previous month triggered the first conclave since 2005, following the death of John Paul II. Cardinals took five rounds of voting to settle on the first Latin American pope in history. They appeared to have struggled to choose between maintaining a non-Italian papacy or to return to its traditional roots. Francis then appeared in his papal robes on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to address thousands of jubilant Catholics who were packed into the square below. The photograph of the new Pope surrounded by some of the cardinals who elected him inspired author Robert Harris to write his 2016 bestselling papal thriller Conclave.

By then, he had garnered the nickname of the ‘Slum Bishop’ after focusing on poverty relief in the most deprived parts of Buenos Aires. In 2012 – the year before he became the Pope – Bergoglio stood out strongly against the government of Cristina Fernandez in Argentina. He said that his country was suffering from demagoguery, corruption and efforts to establish authoritarian rule. Bergoglio was chosen as Pope Benedict’s successor on March 14, 2013. The German pontiff’s shock resignation the previous month triggered the first conclave since 2005, following the death of John Paul II. Cardinals took five rounds of voting to settle on the first Latin American pope in history. They appeared to have struggled to choose between maintaining a non-Italian papacy or to return to its traditional roots. Francis then appeared in his papal robes on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to address thousands of jubilant Catholics who were packed into the square below. The photograph of the new Pope surrounded by some of the cardinals who elected him inspired author Robert Harris to write his 2016 bestselling papal thriller Conclave.

The film adaptation starring Ralph Fiennes was released late in 2024. It won four Baftas this year, including best film and best British film - the first time since 2019 that a movie has won both awards in the same year. Speaking in Italian in his first address to the crowd in St Peter's Square, Francis said: 'Let's pray for one another, for the whole world, so that there is great fraternity.' He led the crowd in prayer for Benedict - now known as Pope Emeritus - and led the faithful in reciting the Lord's Prayer. Soon after he became the Pope, allegations that Francis had failed to openly confront Argentina's murderous military dictatorship resurfaced. Like most Argentines, Bergoglio did not publicly confront the junta, which ruled from 1976 until 1983. Critics claimed he did little to help those who disappeared during the dictatorship. Thousands of people were never seen again.

The film adaptation starring Ralph Fiennes was released late in 2024. It won four Baftas this year, including best film and best British film – the first time since 2019 that a movie has won both awards in the same year. Speaking in Italian in his first address to the crowd in St Peter’s Square, Francis said: ‘Let’s pray for one another, for the whole world, so that there is great fraternity.’ He led the crowd in prayer for Benedict – now known as Pope Emeritus – and led the faithful in reciting the Lord’s Prayer. Soon after he became the Pope, allegations that Francis had failed to openly confront Argentina’s murderous military dictatorship resurfaced. Like most Argentines, Bergoglio did not publicly confront the junta, which ruled from 1976 until 1983. Critics claimed he did little to help those who disappeared during the dictatorship. Thousands of people were never seen again.

Human rights lawyer Myriam Bregman accused Francis of allowing his own Jesuit priests to be rounded up and tortured by the junta death squads. When what was known as the 'Dirty War' began in 1972, church leaders were alleged to have known what was happening, but chose to back the regime of Juan Peron and then the military junta. Thousands of babies of mothers murdered as enemies of the regime and then adopted by families approved by the military dictatorship. In October 2012, the bishops of Argentina - led by Francis - published an apology which acknowledged that the church had not protected its faithful. They also appealed for information about where bodies had been buried and for stolen babies to come forward. But the apology did not stop Bergoglio's critics from slamming his refusal to give evidence in court on the events of the 1970s until 2010, when his answers were considered by some to be evasive. He was also accused of failing to prevent the torture of two of his own Jesuit priests. However, supporters of the Pope insisted that he did take risks behind the scenes, including visiting the home of dictator Jorge Videla to appeal for mercy.

Human rights lawyer Myriam Bregman accused Francis of allowing his own Jesuit priests to be rounded up and tortured by the junta death squads. When what was known as the ‘Dirty War’ began in 1972, church leaders were alleged to have known what was happening, but chose to back the regime of Juan Peron and then the military junta. Thousands of babies of mothers murdered as enemies of the regime and then adopted by families approved by the military dictatorship. In October 2012, the bishops of Argentina – led by Francis – published an apology which acknowledged that the church had not protected its faithful. They also appealed for information about where bodies had been buried and for stolen babies to come forward. But the apology did not stop Bergoglio’s critics from slamming his refusal to give evidence in court on the events of the 1970s until 2010, when his answers were considered by some to be evasive. He was also accused of failing to prevent the torture of two of his own Jesuit priests. However, supporters of the Pope insisted that he did take risks behind the scenes, including visiting the home of dictator Jorge Videla to appeal for mercy.

Francis weathered the criticism and proved to be a busy Pope. His first foreign visit was, fittingly, to South America. His seven-day visit to Brazil was followed by a trip to the Middle East the following year. In Israel, he visited the al-Aqsa Mosque and then prayed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City. Other visits included trips to Cuba and the United States in 2015, Dublin in 2018 and to Iraq in 2021. On several occasions, Francis directly addressed the painful subject of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. In 2018, he told abusers to turn themselves in and to 'prepare for divine justice'. The following year, he admitted for the first time that priests and bishops sexually abused nuns in the past. Cases of abused nuns had been reported in India, Africa, Europe and South America. He told reporters: 'Should we do something more? Yes. Is there the will? Yes. But it's a path that we have already begun.'

Francis weathered the criticism and proved to be a busy Pope. His first foreign visit was, fittingly, to South America. His seven-day visit to Brazil was followed by a trip to the Middle East the following year. In Israel, he visited the al-Aqsa Mosque and then prayed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City. Other visits included trips to Cuba and the United States in 2015, Dublin in 2018 and to Iraq in 2021. On several occasions, Francis directly addressed the painful subject of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. In 2018, he told abusers to turn themselves in and to ‘prepare for divine justice’. The following year, he admitted for the first time that priests and bishops sexually abused nuns in the past. Cases of abused nuns had been reported in India, Africa, Europe and South America. He told reporters: ‘Should we do something more? Yes. Is there the will? Yes. But it’s a path that we have already begun.’

In 2020, Francis vowed to 'uproot the evil of child abuse' after a damning report into the Vatican's handling of allegations against US cardinal Theodore McCarrick were published. And in September 2024, during a visit to Belgium at the end of a hugely busy month, Francis told a crowd of 30,000 people in Brussels: 'Evil must not be hidden. Evil must be brought out into the open.' His speech came after he held a meeting with 17 abuse survivors the day before. Francis's 12-day tour across south-east Asia and Oceania earlier in September proved to be his last major overseas visit. In Dili, the capital of tiny Southeast Asian country Timor-Leste, some 600,000 people gathered in a field to see Francis oversee one of the biggest masses of his papacy.

In 2020, Francis vowed to ‘uproot the evil of child abuse’ after a damning report into the Vatican’s handling of allegations against US cardinal Theodore McCarrick were published. And in September 2024, during a visit to Belgium at the end of a hugely busy month, Francis told a crowd of 30,000 people in Brussels: ‘Evil must not be hidden. Evil must be brought out into the open.’ His speech came after he held a meeting with 17 abuse survivors the day before. Francis’s 12-day tour across south-east Asia and Oceania earlier in September proved to be his last major overseas visit. In Dili, the capital of tiny Southeast Asian country Timor-Leste, some 600,000 people gathered in a field to see Francis oversee one of the biggest masses of his papacy.

The last leg of his tour was in Singapore. There, he criticised both Donald Trump and the then presidential hopeful's political rival Kamala Harris - as both campaigned ahead of the American election. He described them as 'one who discards migrants and one who kills children' in a rare voicing of his political views. The Pope previously warned US voters they would need to cast their ballots 'according to their conscience' and decide who is 'the lesser evil'. In early February this year, just days into Mr Trump's second presidency after his election victory last November, Francis criticised the new administration's mass deportation of migrants.

The last leg of his tour was in Singapore. There, he criticised both Donald Trump and the then presidential hopeful’s political rival Kamala Harris – as both campaigned ahead of the American election. He described them as ‘one who discards migrants and one who kills children’ in a rare voicing of his political views. The Pope previously warned US voters they would need to cast their ballots ‘according to their conscience’ and decide who is ‘the lesser evil’. In early February this year, just days into Mr Trump’s second presidency after his election victory last November, Francis criticised the new administration’s mass deportation of migrants.

He warned in a letter to US bishops that the program to forcefully deport people purely because of their illegal status deprives them of their dignity and 'will end badly.' Francis's increasing reliance on a wheelchair and his gaining of weight demonstrated that his health was in a particularly fragile state in his final years. His final admission to hospital proved to be the one challenge that he could not overcome.

He warned in a letter to US bishops that the program to forcefully deport people purely because of their illegal status deprives them of their dignity and ‘will end badly.’ Francis’s increasing reliance on a wheelchair and his gaining of weight demonstrated that his health was in a particularly fragile state in his final years. His final admission to hospital proved to be the one challenge that he could not overcome.

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