Gustavo Gutiérrez, the Peruvian theologian known for founding liberation theology, has died at 96. His 1971 work, 'A Theology of Liberation,' revolutionized the role of the Church in advocating for the poor and marginalized. Despite facing opposition from the Vatican for its Marxist leanings, Gutiérrez's ideas gained renewed acceptance under Pope Francis, who praised his commitment to social justice. His passing marks the end of an era for a movement that sought to align Christian teachings with efforts to combat poverty and inequality in Latin America and beyond.