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By Sunny A. David, Awka
Pope Francis, the champion of the poor and transformative leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday at age 88, the Vatican announced.
His death, at 7:35 a.m. local time (1:35 a.m. ET), followed a recent serious illness, though he had appeared in public throughout Holy Week, culminating in an Easter Sunday blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, acting as head of the Vatican until a successor is chosen, announced the Pope’s death with profound sorrow, praising his example as a “true disciple of the Lord Jesus.”
Earlier this year, Francis was hospitalized for five weeks with double pneumonia, a critical illness that nearly ended his life.
While recovering at his Vatican residence, he continued to engage in some activities until Easter Sunday, including a brief meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.
Despite his weakened state, Francis delivered the traditional Easter blessing (though the Urbi et Orbi address was read by an aide) and greeted crowds from the popemobile. Vance, sharing his condolences on X, noted the Pope’s visible illness.
Francis’s papacy was marked by his outspoken advocacy for the poor and migrants, leading to frequent clashes with conservative factions within the Church and figures like former US President Donald Trump, whose immigration policies he vehemently criticized.
His leadership served as a significant counterpoint to the rise of global nationalist populism.
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