The leader of the Catholic Church passes away at age 88.
The pope is the head of the Catholic Church. The religious leader spreads his message around the world. For nearly 2,000 years, this role has passed from pope to pope. On March 13, 2013, a man named Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the 266th pope. He served as Pope Francis for more than 12 years. Pope Francis died on April 21 (Easter Monday) at the age of 88.
Pope Benedict XVI was the pope before Francis. In 2013, he became the first pope to retire in almost 600 years. Church leaders voted to give the open position to Bergoglio on March 13. (He chose the name “Francis” to honor Saint Francis of Assisi, a famous saint who loved nature and cared for the poor.) On March 19, 2013, Pope Francis had his official inauguration in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Growing up in Argentina, Bergoglio got very interested in science. He went to school for chemistry. He then studied to become a priest. He held several different jobs in the Church. At last, he became the first pope to ever come from South America.
Pope Francis used his experience in science in his position as a world leader. He published a long letter called Laudato si’ in 2015 about the state of our environment. With the subtitle “On Care For Our Common Home,” it warned about pollution and climate change. And the religious leader asked people everywhere to take “swift and unified global action” to help protect our planet.
Like all popes, Francis lived in Vatican City, a tiny country inside Rome, Italy. However, the Catholic leader didn’t stay there. Pope Francis traveled to more than 60 countries to spread the message of his religion around the world. He visited every continent except Antarctica and Australia and spoke to many millions of people — including Catholics and followers of other religions.
For example, the pope went to Myanmar in 2017. Most people in the Asian nation follow the Buddhist religion, though some also follow Christianity or Islam. The pope’s visit shined a light on a group of Muslims called the Rohingya. The Rohingya in Myanmar have suffered from violence because of their faith. “Your tragedy is very hard, very big,” Francis said in nearby Bangladesh. “We give you space in our hearts,” he added. Buddhists, Catholics, and Muslims heard his speech from the crowd.
Pope Francis continued to travel even as his health declined in his later years. In September 2024 (at the age of 87), he traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia. That city is home to the Istiqlal mosque — the largest mosque in southeast Asia, and an important holy site for Muslims. The meeting included leaders from each of Indonesia’s six officially recognized religions: Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. In a show of interfaith cooperation, Pope Francis held hands with Nasaruddin Umar — the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque.
Pope Francis explained why that meeting between faiths was important. “It challenges us to reach out to others,” he said. He also asked people to grow a heart “that views others as an avenue, not a barrier.”
Throughout his time as pope, Francis worked to bring peace to the world. He spoke about ending war, helping refugees, and treating all people with respect. Francis became the first pope to ever enter an active war zone when he visited the Central African Republic (CAR) in November 2015. He welcomed people of different religions and backgrounds, always encouraging friendship and understanding.
Francis was known around the world for his kindness, humility, and dedication to helping. People will remember him as a pope who cared for others — especially those who are struggling. For example, he spent time talking with poor children in a favela while visiting Brazil on his home continent during World Youth Day in 2013.
Through the Pope’s words and actions, he inspired millions of people to be more compassionate and to help those in need. And though he has passed away, Pope Francis’s message of love and hope will live on forever.
By Russell Kahn (Russ)
Updated April 21, 2025, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
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