Pope Francis Dies at 88: The ‘People’s Pope’ Who Re‑shaped the Modern Church
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, has died at 88 after a 12‑year papacy defined by service to “a poor church, for the poor.” The first Jesuit, first Latin‑American and first Francis‑named pontiff broke tradition by living in a modest guest house, washing prisoners’ feet on Holy Thursday and telling LGBTQ+ Catholics “Who am I to judge?” He prioritized refugees, climate action and grassroots mercy over doctrinal policing.
Canadians felt his impact keenly. In 2022 Francis traveled to Edmonton, Québec and Iqaluit on a “penitential pilgrimage,” apologizing for the Church’s role in residential‑school abuses and calling the policy a form of cultural genocide. At home he created new pathways for laywomen in Church governance and issued landmark environmental encyclicals Laudato si’ and Laudate Deum, urging world leaders to fight global warming and inequality.
Not all was harmony. Conservatives bristled at his openness to divorced Catholics and informal blessings for same‑sex couples, while abuse‑survivor groups said Vatican reforms remained slow and secretive. Still, 73 percent of the cardinals who will soon gather in conclave were appointed by Francis, ensuring his global, inclusive vision will dominate the choice of his successor—and the Catholic Church’s next chapter.
Disclosure: This list is intended as an informational resource and is based on independent research and publicly available information. It does not imply that these businesses are the absolute best in their category. Learn more here.
This article may contain commission-based affiliate links. Learn more on our Privacy Policy page.
