The Vatican announced Monday that Pope Francis, the Argentine pontiff known for his humility and progressive reforms, has died at age 88.

The first non-European pope in over 1,200 years passed away peacefully at his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Francis led the Catholic Church for over 12 years, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

His papacy emphasized compassion, interfaith dialogue, and addressing global issues like climate change and inequality.

He faced resistance from conservative factions for his efforts to modernize Church teachings, including outreach to marginalized communities and reforms in Vatican governance.

The Vatican has not disclosed the cause of death but noted Francis had been in frail health, undergoing multiple medical procedures in recent years. His final public appearance was at a Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, where he urged peace and forgiveness.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will oversee the Vatican’s operations until a conclave elects a new pope.

The Sistine Chapel is expected to host cardinals within two weeks to begin the selection process, a tradition steeped in centuries of secrecy and ritual.

World leaders expressed condolences, with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calling Francis “a moral beacon for justice.” Tributes poured in from Buenos Aires to Rome, where pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square to mourn.

Francis’ legacy includes his encyclical Laudato Si’, advocating environmental stewardship, and his historic apology for the Church’s role in colonial-era abuses. His death marks the end of a transformative era for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.