Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church and its approximately 1.3 billion followers—recognized for both his modest approach and his willingness to challenge Vatican teachings and traditions—has passed away at 88.

Francis had struggled with several health problems over the years and died early Monday, April 21, just one month after leaving the hospital where doctors treated him for double pneumonia following a 38-day stay. The Vatican confirmed his death in an announcement: “Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 88 years of age at his Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican.”

His death came just one day after meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance and giving his annual Easter address. Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a Vatican statement, “Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sadness I must announce our Holy Father Francis has died. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. He devoted his entire life to serving the Lord and His Church.”

“He showed us how to live Gospel values with faithfulness, bravery and universal love, particularly for the poorest and most excluded,” Farrell continued. “With great thankfulness for his example as a true follower of Lord Jesus, we entrust Pope Francis’s soul to the endless merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

On February 14, the Vatican confirmed the pontiff had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome. Initially treated for bronchitis, Francis developed double pneumonia, and his condition worsened over two weeks, despite occasional reports of slight improvements.

The Vatican released an audio recording of the pope thanking people for their prayers on March 6, stating it was recorded from his hospital bed. “I thank you with all my heart for the prayers you offer for my health from [St. Peter’s] Square. I accompany you from here,” he said in Spanish, his native language. “May God bless you, and may the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”

Though still hospitalized, Thursday, March 13, marked the 12th anniversary of Francis’s papacy. To celebrate, the Vatican reported a cake with candles was brought to his room that afternoon.

Francis had a portion of one lung removed during his youth and received treatment for bronchitis several times throughout his life. The deceased pontiff faced other health issues, including colon surgery in June 2021. He previously shared his experience of almost dying from flu at age 21 in his book Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future, where he also discussed dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When I became severely ill at twenty-one, I first encountered limitation, suffering and isolation. It altered my perspective on life,” he wrote. “For months, I was uncertain of my identity and whether I would survive. The doctors were equally unsure about my chances.”

Jorge Mario Bergoglio made history when appointed to the papacy in 2013 as the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European pope since the eighth century. Unlike many predecessors, he chose to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace, partly because it allowed him to “live in community with others,” according to the Catholic News Service.

“His decision to live differently than in the traditional location immediately eliminated all intermediaries,” biographer Austen Ivereigh tells PEOPLE. “Many people were extremely angry early on. They truly resented it.”

Ivereigh mentions that according to Francis, clerical tailors in Rome were another group displeased with him. “His emphasis on simplicity made others conscious of it, so suddenly all clergy stopped wearing more elaborate collars and such. I believe a cardinal was even heard saying that ‘simplicity is the new chic,'” Ivereigh explains.

The biographer adds that “for a couple weeks after becoming pope,” Francis continued “wearing his regular dark trousers underneath his white cassock.”

“When they told him, ‘You really should wear white trousers,’ he responded, ‘Don’t be absurd, I’m not an ice cream seller,'” the author adds.

Throughout his life, Francis guided the papacy with particular emphasis on humility and aiding the poor; he frequently stated, “My people are poor and I am one of them,” according to his Vatican biography.

Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, to Italian immigrant parents Mario, an accountant, and Regina Sivori, a housewife who cared for their five children. Before becoming a priest, he worked various jobs including janitor and nightclub bouncer, and graduated as a chemical technician, according to The Los Angeles Times.

He pursued education in Chile and Argentina, later securing a theology degree from San Miguel’s Colegio de San José after briefly teaching literature and psychology at Immaculate Conception College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Colegio del Salvatore in Buenos Aires. Following his ordination as a priest in 1969, he occupied various positions before becoming the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.

Pope John Paul II elevated him to Cardinal in 2001, and “he requested that the faithful not travel to Rome to celebrate his appointment as Cardinal but instead donate to the poor what they would have spent on the journey,” according to his biography.

He was chosen as pope in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI’s unexpected resignation one month prior.

Ivereigh, his biographer, notes Francis possessed an “incredible work ethic,” though it would be incorrect to label him a “workaholic.”

“This has been characteristic of him for decades. His colleagues mention he hasn’t taken time off since the 1970s,” Ivereigh explains.

On an ordinary day, Francis would rise at 4 a.m. “and dedicate two hours to prayer and silent meditation.”

“Then he would celebrate morning Mass at seven o’clock, followed by breakfast. Most mornings he would conduct all his formal appointments, which might include official meetings with heads of state and similar engagements,” Ivereigh explains, adding that Francis typically kept afternoons open for additional meetings.

Francis was recognized for expressing opinions that occasionally conflicted with Catholic Church teachings, such as when he voiced support for same-sex civil unions in a 2020 documentary.

“We need to create a civil union law. This way they receive legal protection,” he stated in the documentary Francesco, according to the New York Times and Washington Post. “I advocated for that… They are children of God and deserve a family. No one should be excluded or made unhappy because of it.”

Nevertheless, his leadership faced criticism. In his later years as pope, he was frequently accused of using a homophobic slur, which once prompted a Vatican apology.

“As he has had chances to say on multiple occasions: ‘There is space for everyone, for everyone in the Church! No one is unnecessary, no one is excessive, there is room for everyone. Just as we are, all of us,'” spokesman Matteo Bruni told PEOPLE in May 2024.

“The Pope never intended to insult or express himself with homophobic language, and he apologizes to those who felt hurt by the term, reported by others.”

His management of numerous sex abuse scandals affecting the Catholic Church also received considerable attention, including in 2016 when he claimed there was “not a single piece of evidence” that Juan Barros, a bishop, had concealed abuse by Father Fernando Karadima, a Chilean priest. Francis subsequently apologized while defending Barros—stating he believed he was “innocent”—and recognized that his support for Barros might have seemed like a “slap in the face” to Karadima’s victims, the Washington Post reported.

In 2020, Francis pledged to eliminate sexual abuse from the Catholic Church. “I reaffirm my solidarity with victims of any abuse and the church’s commitment to eradicate this evil,” he said.

Discussing Francis’ leadership approach, his biographer mentions he typically required “considerable time” to reach important decisions, but once determined “he moves like a bulldozer.”

“He represents an unusual combination—he possesses great authority, and when you’re in his presence, you sense that authority. Yet it’s a kind authority,” Ivereigh clarifies. “He always makes you feel… it’s not the type of authority that belittles you. He creates room for you and makes you feel noticed and appreciated. Many people observe this about him. It’s quite a remarkable characteristic.”