Article:
Vatican City — In a moment as moving as it is mysterious, Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, just hours after offering what would become his final blessing to a sea of faithful on Easter Sunday.
Standing on the iconic balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope smiled warmly as he addressed the crowd, delivering a message of peace, unity, and resurrection. It was a scene filled with joy, grace, and the spiritual power of Easter — a day that now marks both his final public act and his passing.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina in 1936, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit and first Latin American pope, known for his deep humility, fierce advocacy for the marginalized, and unwavering focus on mercy and compassion. His leadership redefined the modern papacy, reaching beyond tradition and into the hearts of believers and non-believers alike.
His sudden death following such a sacred and symbolic moment has stunned the world. Tributes are pouring in from every corner of the globe — from world leaders, religious figures, and millions of everyday people touched by his words and witness.
The Vatican has begun preparations for a formal mourning period and funeral rites, expected to draw global attendance. But in the quiet prayers of the faithful and the echo of his final blessing, Pope Francis’s spirit endures — a shepherd who walked with his people to the very end, and from the balcony, stepped into eternity.