The Holy See

His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. As a mark of deep respect, the Government of India has declared a three-day State Mourning.

About Pope Francis

• Elected to the papacy in 2013 following the unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis made history as the first Latin American pope and the first from the Americas.

• Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he previously served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires before assuming the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.

About Holy See

• Pope Francis served not only as the spiritual head of the world’s estimated 1.4 billion Catholics but also as the sovereign leader of both the Holy See and Vatican City. The Holy See, the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church, is led by the pope in his capacity as the bishop of Rome. Its name derives from the Latin sedes, meaning “seat,” referring to the bishop’s chair and his jurisdiction.

• The Holy See plays a critical role in global diplomacy and is recognized as a sovereign juridical entity with Permanent Observer status at the United Nations. Vatican City, established in 1929, remains the world’s smallest independent state and the spiritual and administrative heart of the Catholic Church.

• Under Pope Francis’s leadership, the Church faced global challenges with a renewed focus on humility, compassion, and outreach to the marginalized. His papacy will be remembered for its emphasis on interfaith dialogue, climate responsibility, and social justice.