Pope Francis dies at 88 after advocating ethical healthcare technology
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a vocal advocate for ethical healthcare technology use, passed away on Easter Monday at 88.
His final public message, released just weeks earlier, called for technology—including those used in healthcare—to enhance, not replace human connection, reinforcing his lifelong mission of inclusion and justice.
A final plea: Technology must uplift, not divide
In his April video about prayer intentions, Pope Francis warned against allowing technology to deepen inequality, urging it instead to serve the marginalized.
“We should use technology to unite, not divide; to help the poor; to improve the lives of the sick and persons with different abilities,” he said, framing innovation as a moral obligation.
Father Cristóbal Fones of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network emphasized Francis’ push for universal access to telemedicine, renewable energy, and digital education.
The pontiff believed tech must protect human dignity, not just drive profit, a stance that resonated globally amid widening digital divides.
The Pope’s final days
The elderly pope battled ongoing health problems since he spent five weeks in the hospital due to severe pneumonia early in 2025. At the time of his death, he still participated in public life up to Easter Sunday, when he did his last public blessing before he passed away.
The Vatican announced his passing but did not divulge details about his health condition since his sickness had been publicly known.
The Pope dedicated his 12-year papacy to reform. At the same time, he passed away during the Catholic Church’s holiest period, thus causing the Church to mourn his leadership, which united traditional and current practices.
As the Vatican prepares for funeral rites, global tributes highlight Francis’ legacy: a pope who challenged power structures while insisting that progress must serve the vulnerable first.
His death sparks a reflection on his vision of technology as a tool for unity, not exclusion.
“It is true technology is the fruit of the intelligence God gave us, but we need to use it well. It can’t benefit only a few while excluding others,” the Pope said.
