Pope Francis died Monday (April 21) at age 88, the Vatican announced. He passed away at his longtime residence at the Vatican after battling double pneumonia and kidney failure following a 38-day hospitalization, the Associated Press reported.
Throughout his 12-year papacy, Francis was celebrated by some for his humility, advocacy for the poor, and some controversial decisions that have sparked a variety of debate. While known for declining traditional papal luxuries and choosing modest dress and housing, he encouraged blessings for same-sex couples — a move lauded by some and criticized by evangelicals and conservative groups, according media reports.
Final appearance
His final public appearance came Easter Sunday, when he blessed thousands in St. Peter’s Square despite severe illness. Just the day prior, doctors had reported the fragility of his condition, citing respiratory complications and anemia requiring blood transfusions, according to multiple news reports.
Francis also has made headlines in recent months and years for denouncing war in Ukraine and Gaza, decrying climate inaction, and tackling clerical sexual abuse scandals by removing secrecy in Church investigations.
Mourning bells reportedly rang from Argentina to the Philippines as Catholics worldwide honored a pope.
See other related links below:
Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88 – Associated Press
‘Pray for me’: Pope Francis in critical condition, undergoes transfusion as condition worsens -The Christian Post
Pope Francis dead at 88, Vatican says -Fox News
World mourns Pope Francis, a humble reformer who favored ‘the poorest’ -USAToday
The links above are a sampling of headlines related to story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled from multiple media reports by The Baptist Paper.
