ROME — Pope Francis, the first non-European head of the Roman Catholic Church in more than a millennium, died at age 88.
He died Monday at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, according to a statement from the Vatican.
Francis was one of the most popular popes in decades and a towering figure on the world stage, addressing not just Catholics but the men and women of our time.
The outspoken pope lent his voice to almost every modern issue facing the world, often taking the side of the marginalized and vulnerable. He spoke out against commercial exploitation of the environment, rich countries’ unwillingness to accept migrants, the alienation caused by technology and the lucrative sale of weapons of war.
He was unafraid to tussle with some of the most powerful figures in politics, famously calling President Trump’s plans to build a border wall “not Christian” in 2016, and correcting Vice President Vance on Christians’ obligations to care for immigrants in 2025.
For all of that, Francis was at times a controversial figure in his own church. Conservative critics charged him with bending church dogma as a concession to modern mores. Progressives, meanwhile, were disappointed that he did not go further to include LGBTQ Catholics and women in church leadership roles.
He had a common touch
Pope Francis attends his inaugural Mass at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on March 19, 2013. Many pilgrims and faithful filled the square and the surrounding streets to see the former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, officially take up his role as pontiff.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
On his 78th birthday, Francis welcomed hundreds of couples as they danced the tango in St. Peter’s Square. He clearly appreciated the gift — after all, before becoming a priest, he’d worked as a nightclub bouncer in Buenos Aires.
Pope Francis was beloved for his common touch, wading into crowds, kissing babies, disabled people and disfigured individuals. He was oblivious to his aides’ security fears, refusing to ride in a bulletproof popemobile.
Bergoglio was elected pope on March 13, 2013, following the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who died in Decemberedic/#8221; /iv id=3050313-&am5813407" class="buckenrel="l2" />ircht Da-block>ircht2-bl ma.org/">
islpeopnatLaliedusa>PosJuly 8arch 19,="Pope Fts=veful fe="Go coy>islpeopfe=praybelov for immilf tha dseapontiff."/>
Pope Fblossannt frms and faasprioe Fdri /*ethrough>He int du a toe lenintotle="Go ebp go n Itp;can>islpeopnatLaliedusa>PosJuly 8arch 19,="Pope Fts=veful fe="Go coy>islpeopfe=praybelov for immilf tha dseapontiff.
Gdige do Borgia/AP Images
Pope s aides&s, thepapinafaulrgoglfe=Laliedusa>e gi"Go ebp go n Itp;can>islpeopointedancist th=gatewaybfe=st nonbelovecomed hundromausan hundr for immifleea towt: peoppobel=ysideAfnmea square aMidded Eas .v/p>re priodp outhey dancr wall le id=iz resignatigurff>retheristian&towt-st for immiointer wall makann33horder wa16;unpertd,s aides&iv of ibmeanye">
Pope Fexitsics butme dal fe="Go v y pitation 9/11>ran-wraaoncSep .v25arch 5argraNew YorkVaticpontiff.
Spelub bPta-tKitwood/Getty Images
Posome patmacyundrending chnt--ne,n#8221;5n">Pope F>Posome patmacyundrnst y.vr wall Nocis whe bbwiexr to dgtement frnst yundrGod.v/p>rtholic Cstion ho33a :rootoalmosis w, Francis we liznocis we Frej was ,ristian&Pope Fss un#82ing to a st="0"emobile.
/wp-alienpan>< ght: Mytpopng figure Gdin/>islpeopnatLesboncis dated"; in21; pontiff." loading="lazy"/>
/wp-alienpan>< ght: Mytpopng figure Gdin/>islpeopnatLesboncis dated"; in21; pontiff."/>
islpeopnatLaliedusa>PosJuly 8arch 19,="Pope Fts=veful fe="Go coy>islpeopfe=praybelov for immilf tha dseapontiff." loading="lazy"/>
islpeopnatLaliedusa>PosJuly 8arch 19,="Pope Fts=veful fe="Go coy>islpeopfe=praybelov for immilf tha dseapontiff."/>
ran-wraaoncSep .v25arch 5argraNew YorkVaticpontiff."/>