Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, has died at the age of 88. The Vatican announced his passing on April 21, 2025 (1 Ordibehesht 1404 in the Iranian calendar), following a period of hospitalization and recovery due to pneumonia.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, head of the Vatican’s financial and administrative office, shared the news in a statement on social media, writing: “Dear brothers and sisters, with great sorrow I announce the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome departed for his eternal home.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in the Flores district of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was appointed cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. He was elected pope in 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, becoming the first Jesuit, the first pope from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff since Gregory III.
