Pope Francis Passes At 88

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88.

The Vatican confirmed his passing early Monday, saying he died peacefully after a gradual decline in health.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013.

He was the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years.

Francis became known for his humility and his focus on compassion, inclusion, and social justice.

One of the most significant and emotional chapters of his papacy came in 2022, when he formally apologized to Indigenous people in Canada for the Church’s role in the residential school system.

In an historic meeting in Rome, he told First Nations, Inuit, and Métis delegates he felt sorrow and shame for the abuses suffered by children in those church-run institutions.

That was followed by a visit to Canada where he again asked for forgiveness, calling the cultural suppression and abuse Indigenous children endured a form of genocide.

In a post to social media, Premier David Eby said his heart was with Catholics in BC and around the world. Eby said Pope Francis will always be remembered for his humanity and humility.

Details about the selection of a new pope will be announced by the Vatican in the coming days.

For more information, visit Vatican News.