The world has gathered in mourning after the passing of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis died of a stroke, the Vatican announced hours after the death on Monday of the 88-year-old reformer who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during 12 years leading the Catholic Church.
The Argentine pontiff died at his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican almost a month after leaving hospital following a five-week stay battling double pneumonia.
One day after he greeted Easter crowds in St Peter’s Square, mourners gathered in the plaza, many in tears, to mark his passing.
“We are orphaned,” said street sweeper Javier Languenari, 53, in the Pope’s home city of Buenos Aires, as Argentina declared a week of national mourning.
According to the death certificate released by the Vatican, Francis died of a stroke, causing a coma and “irreversible” heart failure.
It also revealed he had type 2 diabetes, which was not previously known.
People stretch to receive copies of a special edition of the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano announcing the death of Pope Francis in Saint Peter's Square. Photo / AFP
The Pope had seemed exhausted when being driven around St Peter’s Square on Sunday and a Vatican source said the pontiff had kept up a punishing schedule even though he knew his health was fading.
In his will, also released by the Vatican, the Pope wrote that he felt that “the sunset of my earthly life is approaching”.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican official who takes over the immediate running of church affairs, announced Francis’ death.
“This morning [Monday] at 7.35am (local time) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church,” said the camerlengo.
The Pope’s apartment was formally sealed and his body moved to a wood and zinc coffin in the Santa Marta chapel on Monday evening, the Vatican said. The coffin will be moved to St Peter’s Basilica, probably on Wednesday, to lie in state.
Cardinals will meet on Tuesday to start planning the funeral at St Peter’s Basilica, which must take place between four and six days after the death – between Friday and Sunday.
Pope Francis had already announced he would be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. In his will published on Monday, he said he wanted a simple, unadorned tomb “with the only inscription: Franciscus”, Francis in Latin.
Thousands went to St Peter’s Square, where a death knell rang out for the Pope’s passing and rosary prayers were said.
Caroline Wahl, visiting from Germany, said the Pope had looked “weak” when they saw him on Easter Sunday, adding that thinking about him now gave her “goosebumps”.
The bells at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France rang out 88 times – one for each year of the Pope’s life – and they also tolled in Mosul, in Iraq, where the Pope visited in 2021.
People light candles as they pay respects in front of a portrait of Pope Francis during a condolence meeting in New Delhi, following the news of his death. Photo / AFP
In Gaza, where the war between Israel and Hamas rages on, the Christian community feels “as though a light of love and peace has been extinguished”, said George Ayad, 67.
In Kinshasa, Madeleine Bomendje struggled to accept the news: “It’s a terrible shock,” she said.
The lights of the Eiffel Tower were turned off on Monday night, while the Colosseum in Rome was to go dark on Tuesday.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, was the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic world and the first from the Americas.
He took over after Benedict XVI became the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to step down – and cut a sharply different figure from the German theologian.
A football-loving former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis sought to forge a more open and compassionate Church.
He strongly defended social justice and the rights of migrants, and repeatedly called for action against climate change.
Throughout his papacy, Francis championed the poor and vulnerable and emphasised love over doctrine, famously saying of gay believers, “who am I to judge”.
His views riled Church traditionalists, while his outspoken views often clashed with those of politicians, but widespread tributes were paid.
People pray as they attend a solemn requiem at The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, informally known as Westminster Cathedral, in central London. Photo / AFP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Francis a “beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage”.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei – who had before taking office accused Francis of being an “imbecile” who “promotes communism” – pointed to his compatriot’s “goodness and wisdom” despite their “differences”.
US President Donald Trump – who recently drew the ire of Pope Francis with his mass deportations of migrants – wrote “Rest in Peace” on his Truth Social platform, and ordered flags to be flown at half mast.
Former US President Joe Biden, a Catholic, hailed “one of the most consequential leaders of our time”.
Argentine football great Lionel Messi thanked Francis for “making the world a better place” as the late pontiff’s favourite club, San Lorenzo, paid tribute to “a thoughtful, open-minded, cultured man”.
Health issues
Pope Francis, who had part of his lung removed as a young man, almost died twice while in hospital with double pneumonia – but still defied doctors’ orders to take two months off after returning home.
Known for being stubborn, he made several public appearances, including meeting Britain’s King Charles and visiting a prison.
But he struggled to speak, and delegated the traditional Easter Sunday “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) benediction to an associate.
He later toured Saint Peter’s Square in his popemobile, greeting worshippers.
His hospital stay was the latest of a series of health issues, from colon and hernia surgery to problems walking, which saw him take to a wheelchair in recent years.
But he never took a day off and made frequent trips abroad, including a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour last September which drew huge crowds.
Church reforms
When Pope Francis took over, the Catholic Church was beset by infighting, and plagued by a global scandal over cover-ups of clerical sex abuse of children.
Pope Francis initiated a major shake-up of the Vatican’s governing body that included improving financial responsibility and allowing lay Catholics to lead Vatican offices.
However, critics accused him of creating doctrinal confusion and failing to defend traditional Catholic beliefs on key issues such as abortion and divorce.
On abuse, he promised an end to impunity and changed Vatican law, but victims’ groups said his actions fell short of the “zero-tolerance” he promised.
“In this realm, where Francis had supreme power, he refused to make the necessary changes,” said Anne Barrett Doyle from BishopAccountability.org, complaining of a lack of external oversight and transparency.
“It will forever tarnish the legacy of this remarkable man.”
