VATICAN – In a solemn announcement that echoed through cathedrals and newsrooms alike, the Vatican confirmed the death of Pope Francis on Tuesday.
The 88-year-old pontiff passed away following a stroke and irreversible heart failure, according to an official statement from the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli.
The news has triggered a global wave of mourning, from the heart of the Holy See to the rural parishes of Kenya, where Pope Francis had long captured hearts with his progressive vision and unwavering focus on human dignity.
The Vatican said that the late pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, suffered a stroke that led to a cardiocirculatory collapse, a condition that proved fatal despite prior interventions.
His medical history was marked by chronic conditions including Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia.
His passing was officially confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography, a method used to medically certify death.
Pope Francis had famously chosen simplicity over tradition, residing not in the lavish Apostolic Palace penthouse but in a modest two-room suite at the Saint Martha guesthouse.
That same simplicity will mark his final moments — his body is set to lie in repose in a chapel within his personal quarters.
With Francis’s death, the Roman Catholic Church enters a critical transitional phase. The Vatican now sets in motion the conclave — a centuries-old electoral process in which cardinals from around the globe gather to choose the next Bishop of Rome.
While the Church traditionally observes a 15-day mourning period before the conclave begins, a rule change enacted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2013 allows the cardinals to start the process earlier, should they agree.
The election, usually held within 15 to 20 days, promises to be as much a spiritual journey as it is a political chess match, as Church leaders weigh continuity against change in selecting their next pontiff.
Global Leaders Mourn the Passing of a Servant Leader
From the slums of Buenos Aires to the pews of Nairobi, Pope Francis’s commitment to the marginalized and his calls for environmental stewardship resonated across borders and beliefs.
Among those who led the tributes was President William Ruto, who hailed the late pontiff as a beacon of compassion and humility.
“He exemplified servant leadership through his unwavering commitment to inclusivity, justice, and deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable,” Ruto said in a heartfelt statement, reflecting on Francis’s impact both in Kenya and the global stage.
As the Church prepares to elect its 267th pope, the memory of Pope Francis remains deeply etched in the minds of millions.
His papacy was a blend of courage and compassion, where doctrine met dialogue and power gave way to humility. Whether advocating for the poor, opening the Church to LGBTQ+ conversations, or tackling climate change head-on, he led not just with authority — but with heart.
And now, as the bells toll and black smoke fades into the Roman sky, the world watches once more — waiting for the next chapter of a Church forever changed by one man in simple robes.
