Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church and a transformative figure in global religious leadership, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday morning.

The pontiff passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. local time within the Vatican, according to an emotional announcement delivered from St. Peter’s Basilica by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo tasked with overseeing the Church during the transition between papacies.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” Farrell said. “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 faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.”

Cardinal Farrell commended the late Pope’s life of service, saying, “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 God.”

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first pontiff from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European to lead the Church in over a millennium. His election followed the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

Throughout his groundbreaking papacy, Pope Francis championed reforms within the Vatican bureaucracy, called for global action on climate change, and took a pastoral approach to divisive social issues. He became known for his outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, migrants, the poor, and the marginalized, urging the Church to be a “field hospital” for humanity.

Despite enduring multiple health challenges in his later years — including colon surgery in 2021 and recurring respiratory infections — the Pope remained active, travelling extensively and maintaining a full public schedule until just weeks before his death.

His passing marks the end of a papacy defined by humility, inclusivity, and a bold push for renewal in the world’s largest Christian denomination.

Funeral arrangements and the process for selecting a new pope are expected to be announced in the coming days.