Pope Francis of the Catholic Church has died at the age of 88. The Vatican announced on April 21, 2025, that Pope Francis had passed away. The last time he appeared before believers was on April 20, 2025, for Easter Mass at St. Peter's Square. According to the Vatican, the Pope passed away in his residence at the "Domus Sanctae Marthae" in the Vatican.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell stated, "With sorrow, I inform you that Pope Francis has passed away." He added that on April 21, 2025, at 7:35 AM local time, Pope Francis returned to the house of the Father, dedicating his entire life to the Lord and His Church, faithfully living the values of the Gospel with courage and universal love, especially for the poorest and most excluded. Cardinal Farrell mourned, "With gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust his soul to the love of God."
The Pope had a history of pneumonia and had a part of his lung removed at the age of 21, making him susceptible to pneumonia caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. He was hospitalized multiple times during his 12 years as the head of the Catholic Church. In February 2025, he was hospitalized for severe bronchitis due to an infection, and he was discharged last month after five weeks of treatment.
On April 20, 2025, the day before his death, he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the Easter ceremony and blessed the crowd gathered in the square. During the Easter message read by a Vatican official, the Pope stated that there can be no peace where there is no freedom of faith, freedom of thought and expression, and respect for the opinions of others. He also appealed for peace, asking how many deaths are desired amidst various conflicts around the world.
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December 1936. In March 2013, he became the first Pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere after Benedict XVI's resignation. He was the first non-European Pope since Gregory III, who died in 741, and the first Pope from the Society of Jesus.
Pope Francis introduced many reforms to the Church but remained popular among traditionalists. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, described Pope Francis as a holy man and very human. Archbishop Cottrell stated that Francis focused on Jesus, who came to serve rather than to be served.
King Charles of England expressed his deep sorrow upon learning of the Pope's death and acknowledged the Pope's dedicated service to the Church and the world. King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Italy two weeks ago and met with the Pope privately, which Buckingham Palace described as a special moment. UK Prime Minister Kia Starmer mourned the Pope's death on X, stating that the Pope's tireless efforts to build a fairer world for everyone would leave a lasting legacy.
Starmer also stated that the Pope's leadership was courageous during complex and difficult times for the world and the Church, always showing humility and standing for the poor, marginalized, and forgotten. French President Emmanuel Macron was among the first heads of state to publicly express condolences, describing Pope Francis as a humble man who stood with the weakest and most vulnerable.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep sorrow, stating that she had the privilege of enjoying his friendship and that he had sought courage for the world to turn and walk the path of 'building, not destroying, nurturing, repairing, and protecting'. Meloni added that his teachings and legacy would not be lost and that her heart was filled with sorrow but also with the knowledge that he is now in God's peace.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez mourned the death of Pope Francis, stating that his dedication to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a great legacy. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof commented that Pope Francis was a man of the people in every sense of the word. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk mourned the Pope as a good, warm, and decent man.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated that his infectious smile touched the hearts of millions around the world. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the Pope inspired millions beyond the Catholic Church with his humility and compassion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mourned the Pope, stating that he knew the way to give hope, alleviate suffering through prayer, and foster unity, adding that the Pope prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians.
Israeli President Itzhak Herzog praised the Pope's boundless thought, and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter described the Pope as a great spiritual leader and a constant advocate for peace. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep pain at the Pope's death. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stated that Pope Francis was the voice of peace, love, and compassion.
The White House stated, "Pope Francis, may you rest in peace," and posted photos of the Pope meeting with Donald Trump and Melania Trump and with Vice President J.D. Vance. Vance reiterated his condolences for the meeting with the Pope. The Kremlin stated that President Vladimir Putin remembered the Pope as a champion of humanism and traditional values, having had the opportunity to interact with this outstanding figure and believing that he would never be forgotten.
The Pope indicated a preference for a simple wooden coffin and instructed that his body be left in an open coffin in St. Peter's Basilica. The Pope also wished to be buried not in Vatican City but in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, which would be the first time in over 100 years that a Pope has been buried outside the Vatican.
The operation of the Church will be carried out by the College of Cardinals until a new Pope is elected through a conclave; there are currently 252 cardinals, with 138 holding voting rights. Cardinals with voting rights will be summoned to the Vatican, after which the conclave will take place.
People gathered at St. Peter's Square, with one woman holding a photo of Pope Francis and rosary beads. BBC reporter David Georgetti reported seeing people crying on the way to the Vatican after hearing news of the Pope's death, conveying that his death was a major shock despite his health issues earlier in the year. Georgetti reflected on his personal experiences with the Pope, recalling a personal conversation about his grandmother during a flight, noting that the Pope could talk to anyone about anything and was a beloved figure who influenced people around the world.
Reporter Sofia Bettiza reported that the bells tolled at St. Peter's Square to announce the Pope's death. A large crowd gathered, with a quiet and somber atmosphere. People from India, South Africa, and Denmark expressed that what they most admired about the Pope was his efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive.
