Pope Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away in Rome on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The Vatican announced that the cause of death was heart failure following a coma due to a stroke. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in history, sent messages of hope and reform to the world since his election in 2013, advocating for a 'church for the poor' and a 'church of mercy.'
Throughout his papacy, he faced backlash from conservatives for his criticism of capitalism, warnings about climate change, and inclusive stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals. Following his death, Catholic churches around the world, including in Argentina, the Philippines, and Rome, rang their bells in mourning.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell lamented at St. Martha's Chapel in the Vatican, stating that 'This morning, April 21, 2025, at 7:35 AM, Francis, Bishop of Rome, departed to the Father. His life was dedicated entirely to service to the Lord and the Church.' Pope Francis had a part of his lung removed in his youth and suffered from chronic respiratory illness. On February 14, 2025, he was urgently hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to respiratory issues. His condition progressed to bilateral pneumonia, leading to the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy, lasting 38 days.
The life and legacy of Pope Francis will be mourned by believers around the world in the coming weeks. The Vatican plans to hold a period of mourning with internal stakeholders at St. Martha's Chapel, a public viewing at St. Peter's Basilica, and a conclave to elect a new pope. According to his will, Pope Francis will be buried in a simple underground tomb in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, with only 'Franciscus' expected to be engraved on the tombstone.
On April 23, 2025, the Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See) in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, opened a book of condolences following the Pope's death. Despite the rain, members of the Imperial Family, ambassadors from various countries, and general worshippers visited to sign the book. Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel was also present. The book will also be available on April 24 and 25, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
At the condolence table for general worshippers set up at the entrance of the embassy, worshippers offered prayers and flowers before the portrait of the deceased Pope. Bernadetta Taniguchi (78) from Nakano-ku, Tokyo, expressed her condolences, recalling the Pope's visit to the atomic bomb sites in Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 2019 and his plea for the abolition of nuclear weapons, saying, 'He conveyed a message of peace to us. He was a Papa who worked for the sake of small things and weak lives.'
The Vatican announced on April 22, 2025, that the funeral of Pope Francis will be held on April 26, 2025, in St. Peter's Square, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend. Pope Francis passed away less than 24 hours after delivering the Easter sermon on April 20, 2025. He had been hospitalized for bilateral pneumonia from February to March 2025, and his health had deteriorated significantly.
Many world leaders and royalty have announced their participation in the funeral, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William of Wales, former US President Donald Trump, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose country has the largest Catholic population in the world. Thousands of worshippers have already gathered in Vatican City, holding flowers, crosses, and rosaries, and offering prayers.
The 'Rosary Prayer' is being offered daily in St. Peter's Square in memory of Pope Francis, and a service was held at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore on the night of April 22, 2025. The Vatican released details of Pope Francis's last 24 hours, describing it as a 'peaceful death.' The Pope, who had been discharged from the hospital five weeks prior, felt slightly uneasy about appearing on the balcony during the Easter ceremony. He asked his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, 'Do you think I can do this?' Strappetti reassured him, and the Pope appeared on the balcony to bless the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Upon returning from the balcony, the Pope thanked Strappetti, saying, 'Thank you for making me return to the square.' He then rested and had dinner in his room. On April 21, 2025, at 5:30 AM local time, the Pope began to feel unwell and received immediate care. One hour later, he waved to Strappetti and fell into a coma. The Vatican stated that 'Those who were with him said that (the Pope) did not suffer,' and described it as a discreet death without long waiting times or great agony.
On April 22, 2025, the Pope's body was moved to St. Peter's Basilica, where it will be publicly displayed until April 25, 2025, allowing worshippers to pay their respects. Cardinal Kevin Farrell will conduct a 'Liturgy of the Word' prior to the procession. The general public can visit St. Peter's Basilica from 11:00 AM until late at night on April 23, 2025, from 7:00 AM until late at night on April 24, 2025, and from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on April 25, 2025.
In a will released by the Vatican, Pope Francis expressed his desire to be buried in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, marking the first time in over 100 years that a Pope is buried outside the Vatican. He specified that 'the tomb should be on the floor, without special decorations, and should only bear the inscription 'Franciscus.' Father Ivan Rupnik, the ceremonial head of the basilica, recounted that the Pope had visited the basilica 125 times since becoming Pope, always bringing flowers.
After the funeral and burial, the 'Papal Conclave' will begin to elect a new Pope, typically occurring within 15 to 20 days after the Pope's death. Several names have already been mentioned as successors to Pope Francis, but it is likely that more candidates will emerge.
