Buenos Aires, Argentina — Pope Francis, the first head of the Catholic Church from Argentina and Latin America, died the morning of April 21 after a months-long illness that ended in a stroke. A key figure in Argentine politics before and after his 12-year papacy, Jorge Mario Bergoglio drew both widespread support and sharp criticism in his home country, which he never visited again after being elected pope in 2013. A close adherent of the church’s social doctrine, he is expected to continue influencing Argentina’s ecclesiastical affairs, having already named the cardinals who will choose his successor at the Vatican.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” informed Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, from the Casa Santa Marta, where Francis resided.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God,” added Farrell.
News of the pope’s passing came at the end of Easter celebrations, which Francis had struggled to participate in due to his declining health. On Sunday, after a brief meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, the pope appeared in front of St. Peter’s Square — the same place where he was consecrated on March 13, 2013.
“Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter!” he managed to read. An aide then read his Easter message, once again calling for peace in the world, and Francis gave the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing — his message “to the city” of Rome and “to the world.”
From “the bishop of the poor” to the Vatican
Born in Buenos Aires on Dec. 17, 1936, to an Italian immigrant family, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was a true porteño, a proud resident of the Flores neighborhood and a staunch cuervo (supporter of the San Lorenzo de Almagro football club). Before becoming a priest, he worked as a chemical technician and taught literature and psychology. Ordained in 1969 as a Jesuit, he held various clerical positions over two decades. By the 1990s, he had emerged as a prominent figure in Buenos Aires, first as an auxiliary bishop and later, in 1998, as archbishop.
After being named a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II, Bergoglio became known in Argentine politics for working closely with those in need, especially in the villas — the informal settlements of Buenos Aires. He refused to live in the episcopal residence and declined a limousine and driver, instead using public transportation. He became widely known as “the bishop of the poor.” He was also a contender in the 2005 conclave to elect the successor to John Paul II, which ultimately chose Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI.
During his time in Buenos Aires, Bergoglio had a strong influence on Argentine politics. He led the church in supporting the country’s transition following the 2001 economic and political crisis. In 2008, he called for a peaceful resolution to the rural conflict sparked by President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s economic policies. Two years later, he opposed the legalization of same-sex marriage, a measure backed by the Justicialist Party. Thus, he came to be seen as an opposition figure to the government.
After Pope Benedict XVI resigned in early 2013, Bergoglio traveled to Rome for the conclave and was elected pope on the second day of deliberations. The announcement of Francis on the evening of March 13 shook St. Peter’s Square and the world, as he became the first Argentine, first Latin American, and first American pope. He went on to lead a 2,000-year-old institution through a period of reform not seen since Rerum Novarum, focusing on aiding the poor and softening the church’s stance on issues such as abortion, birth control, and same-sex marriage.
However, Bergoglio left Argentina in 2013, and Pope Francis never returned. His early rivalry with the Justicialist Party soon became a friendly relationship with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in the later years of her term. He was more openly critical of her successor, Mauricio Macri, a liberal whom the then-archbishop had previously criticized for his treatment of the poor during Macri’s tenure as mayor of Buenos Aires. Their encounters were brief and cold.
The COVID-19 pandemic and, later, the 2023 election year prevented a visit to his home country during the presidency of Alberto Fernández. Francis had expressed a desire to return if the political climate grew less confrontational — a tone that never quite took hold in Argentina in recent years. By the time President Javier Milei, who once referred to Francis as “the representative of the Devil on earth,” took office, the pope’s health had declined too much to make the long trip.
After struggling with health issues for much of his life — he lost part of his right lung to pleurisy at age 21 — Francis was admitted to Gemelli Polyclinic on Feb. 14 with bilateral pneumonia. He experienced several respiratory crises but recovered enough to leave the hospital after 38 days, returning to the Casa Santa Marta, his modest residence, in late March. He continued to work on church affairs into his final days.
Cardinals from around the world are already en route to Rome to elect Francis’ successor in a conclave set to begin on March 22. At least 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and 108 of them were appointed during Francis’ 12-year papacy.
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