The world is waking up to the news of the death of Pope Francis who died at the age of 88.
His death was announced on the morning of Easter Monday 2025, on April 21, 2025.
Following his death, questions have been asked about who Pope Francis really was.
GhanaWeb explores some facts about the late pontiff. The following details are made available via the BBC:
The Pope is the Head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome, leading the world’s largest Christian faith and morality for over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
The Pope lives in the Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world, surrounded by the Italian capital, Rome.
The Pope does not receive a salary, but all his travel costs and living expenses are paid for by the Vatican.
Popes are chosen by the College of Cardinals, who elect a new Pope after the death or resignation of the current one
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936.
In the modest Buenos Aires neighborhood of Flores, Pope Francis carved a unique path to the papacy, marked not only by his religious devotion but also by a series of fascinating life experiences that reflect his grounded nature and deep connection to ordinary people.
Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he was elected as the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
His election was notable on several fronts: he became the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from Latin America, and the first non-European pope in more than 1,300 years, succeeding Pope Gregory III of Syria who was elected in 731.
The son of an Italian immigrant father and an Italian-Argentine mother, Pope Francis was the eldest of five children. His upbringing was modest, rooted in the working-class ethos of his family.
Before joining the priesthood, he led a life that many might find surprising for someone destined for spiritual leadership. As a young man, Bergoglio worked as a janitor and later as a nightclub bouncer. He also trained as a chemical technician, showcasing his scientific curiosity before he ultimately turned toward theology.
Ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming head of the Society of Jesus in Argentina and Uruguay by the age of 36 — a position he held from 1973 to 1979.
His tenure was marked by a commitment to humility and service, values that would come to define his papacy.
In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed him as a bishop, and six years later, he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. In 2001, John Paul elevated him to the rank of cardinal.
Throughout his rise in the church, Francis remained known for his simplicity and pastoral sensitivity; often choosing public transportation over private cars and residing in modest accommodations instead of the luxurious bishop’s residence.
Pope Francis’s background as a man of the people shaped his tenure as pontiff. He consistently emphasised compassion, social justice, and inclusivity, while also championing environmental stewardship and advocating for the poor.
From bouncing unruly patrons at Buenos Aires nightclubs to leading over a billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis’s 88 years on earth inspired millions across the globe.
He headed the Catholic Church as Pope for 12 years.
He died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, as announced by the Vatican.
