Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a figure both beloved and debated across the globe, died Monday at the age of 88. Church bells tolled across Rome as Cardinal Kevin Farrell made the announcement from the chapel of Domus Santa Marta, Francis’s longtime residence. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.” F
rancis had been battling chronic lung disease and was hospitalized in February with double pneumonia. He passed away just one day after blessing thousands from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday. In his 12 years as pope, Francis brought a tone of compassion to many controversial topics, including LGBTQ inclusion. He made headlines in 2013 when he said of gay clergy, “Who am I to judge?”
Later, he publicly urged the Church to apologize to queer people for past mistreatment. Francis supported civil unions for same-sex couples and called laws criminalizing homosexuality “an injustice.” Yet he upheld traditional Church teachings barring openly gay men from seminaries and limiting how same-sex couples could be blessed. He met with trans Catholics, backed their participation in baptisms and weddings. Pope Francis was named The Advocate magazine’s “Person of the Year,” and now, the world waits as the College of Cardinals prepares to choose his successor.
