Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in the modern Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. He was 88 years old. The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo, who stated, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church”.
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected pope in March 2013, becoming the first non-European to lead the Catholic Church in nearly 1,300 years. His papacy was marked by a commitment to humility, social justice, and outreach to the marginalized. He chose to live in a modest Vatican guesthouse rather than the traditional papal apartments, emphasizing simplicity and a “psychological well-being” that resonated with many faithful. Francis’s advocacy for the poor and his efforts to soften the Church’s stance on issues such as homosexuality, the death penalty, and the role of women distinguished his leadership, even as he faced resistance from both conservative and progressive factions within the Church.
Despite declining health and a recent battle with double pneumonia that required a prolonged hospital stay, Pope Francis continued to fulfill his pastoral duties until the end. He made several public appearances during Holy Week, including a final blessing to crowds at St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday, just a day before his passing. His last private meeting was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who later remarked on the pope’s evident frailty but expressed gratitude for their encounter.
The death of Pope Francis has set in motion the Vatican’s solemn transition rituals. Cardinal Farrell now leads the Vatican in the interim, as cardinals from around the world prepare to gather in Rome to honor the late pontiff and elect his successor. Tributes have poured in from global leaders and religious figures, reflecting on Francis’s legacy as a champion of compassion, humility, and reform—a pope who sought to guide the Church with a heart open to all.
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(Source: Vatican News | CNN | Reuters | Catholic News Agency)
