By International Correspondent|The Merit Newspaper
Vatican City, April 21, 2025 — The Vatican has announced the death of Pope Francis, the 88-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church, who passed away peacefully in the early hours of Monday at the Apostolic Palace.
The Argentine-born pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected in 2013 as the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the position. His papacy was marked by calls for compassion, humility, environmental stewardship, and inclusion within the Church.
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the Vicar of Rome, confirmed the Pope’s passing in a brief statement: “The Holy Father returned to the Lord after days of declining health. We ask for prayers for his soul and for the Church he so dearly loved.”
World leaders, religious figures, and faithful Catholics across the globe have begun sending their condolences, with many praising his commitment to social justice and interfaith dialogue.
Preparations for the papal funeral are underway, with the College of Cardinals expected to convene soon to begin the process of selecting his successor in a conclave.
This marks the end of a transformative era in the Catholic Church, with Pope Francis remembered for his progressive stance and enduring message of peace.
