Pope Francis, the Latin American pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church and the first from the Southern Hemesphire, has died at the age of 88. He passed away on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. The announcement of his death was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who confirmed that the Pope had died at 7.35 am local time. The Vatican later stated that he succumbed to complications from a stroke and bilateral pneumonia. A message from Church officials expressed deep gratitude for his life of service, describing him as a “true disciple of the Lord Jesus” and praising his unwavering dedication to the poor and marginalised. Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of reform, compassion, and efforts to modernise one of the world’s oldest institutions. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis came from a working-class family with Italian roots. Before entering religious life, he tra...