Live updates on Pope Francis.<\/b>
\nPope Francis, whose time as head of the Catholic Church was noted for humility and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths, has died at 88, the Vatican has confirmed.
Francis’ death on Monday comes after a series of worsening health problems, including a respiratory crisis that left him in critical condition in recent months. The Argentinian national was known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, when he was elected the Catholic Church’s 266th supreme pontiff — and the first ever from Latin America — on March 13, 2013, replacing the retiring Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope Francis, whose time as head of the Catholic Church was noted for an everyman humility and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths, has died at 88, the Vatican has confirmed.
«At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church», Cardinal Kevin Farrell said on Monday.
Pope Francis was hospitalized for just over five weeks beginning in February 2025 to address what the Vatican initially said was a respiratory tract infection, for which he began receiving treatment. Four days after his hospitalization, the Vatican revealed that Francis had been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
The White House on Monday issued a short statement, saying, \u201cRest in Peace, Pope Francis,\u201d alongside photos of the pontiff meeting President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Trump met with Francis and the Vatican\u2019s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on May 24, 2017, in Vatican City, according to the U.S. State Department.
Vance had a brief audience with the pope at the Vatican on Sunday, moments before Francis\u2019 public appearance on the balcony on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis will be remembered as «a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage», India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday, as tributes for the pontiff continued.
«From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden», Modi’s statement read in part.
He added, «For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope. I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.»
The president of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto, said the pontiff had «exemplified servant leadership through his humility.»
He added, «We join the Catholic Church and the global Christian community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. This is a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world. Pope Francis will be remembered for a life dedicated to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity.»
Prime Minster Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom echoed those thoughts, praising Francis’ «tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy.»
«Deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis», Starmer said in a statement released by his office. «His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy. On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church.»
And in Germany, the current and incoming chancellors released statements.
Olaf Scholz, the current leader, said: «With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church and the world lose an advocate for the weak, a reconciling and a warm-hearted person. I greatly appreciated his clear view of the challenges we face. My sympathies go out to the religious community worldwide.»
And Friedrich Merz, the incoming chancellor, said Francis will be remembered for «his tireless dedication to the weakest in society.»
«The death of Pope Francis fills me with great sadness. Francis will be remembered for his tireless dedication to the weakest in society, for justice and reconciliation», Merz continued. «Humility and faith in God’s mercy guided him. In doing so, the first Latin American on the Holy See touched people worldwide and across denominational boundaries. My thoughts are with the faithful around the world in these hours, who have lost their Holy Father. May he rest in peace.»
Britain’s King Charles and his wife, Camilla, were «deeply saddened» to learn of the pope’s death, the monarch said in a statement on Monday, weeks after the pair met with Francis on a state visit to Italy.
«His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others», Charles’ Monday statement said in part.
He added, «His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.»
Tributes to Pope Francis poured in on Monday, as presidents, prime ministers and other world leaders reacted to the news of his death.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Francis for wanting \u201cChurch to bring joy and hope to the poorest.\u201d
«From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him,\u201d Macron said in a statement in French. \u201cMy wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world.»
Israeli President Isaac Herzog hailed the pontiff\u2019s «boundless compassion,\u201d saying he sent his \u201cdeepest condolences to the Christian world.
\u201cA man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world,\u201d Herzog\u2019s statement read in part.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Francis\u2019 «contagious smile captured millions of people\u2019s hearts across the globe»
«Europe mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His contagious smile captured millions of people\u2019s hearts across the globe,\u201d he said. \u201c\u2018The People\u2019s Pope\u2019 will be remembered for his love for life, hope for peace, compassion for equality & social justice. May he rest in peace.»
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said Francis was «a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them\u201d \u201cand that he was \u201cin every way a man of the people.\u201d
\u201cThe global Catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them,\u201d Schoof said. \u201cWith his sober way of life, acts of service and compassion, Pope Francis was a role model for many \u2013 Catholics and non-Catholics alike. We remember him with great respect.»<\/p>\n