VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a transformative figure in the Roman Catholic Church, died at age 88 on April 21, 2025, at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican announced. His death, confirmed at 7:35 a.m. CEST, followed a severe health crisis involving double pneumonia and chronic lung issues, ending a 12-year papacy marked by efforts to modernize the Church and champion the marginalized.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo, announced the pontiff’s passing on Vatican Media, stating, “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. 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.” The announcement came a day after Francis, despite his frailty, appeared in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday to bless crowds, his final public act.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. As the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Southern Hemisphere, he sought to steer the Church toward inclusivity, addressing issues like poverty, migration, and climate change. His papacy faced resistance from conservative factions but earned global admiration for its focus on humility and compassion.
Francis’ health had been a concern in recent years. He underwent surgery as a young man to remove part of one lung, leaving him prone to respiratory infections. In February 2025, he was hospitalized for 38 days at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for bronchitis that developed into double pneumonia, a condition described as life-threatening. Doctors considered ending treatment during a critical episode on February 28, but Francis recovered enough to resume limited duties. He was discharged on March 23 and made public appearances, including a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on April 20, but his condition remained fragile.
The pope’s death triggered immediate global mourning. U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called him “a great man and a great pastor,” while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted Francis’ prayers for peace in Ukraine. East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta described his death as “a tremendous loss for the world, not just Christians.”
Francis’ papacy was defined by bold reforms. He tackled financial corruption in the Vatican, established laws to address clerical sexual abuse, and advocated for refugees, famously washing the feet of asylum seekers in 2016. His encyclical Laudato Si’ called for urgent action on climate change, influencing global discourse. However, critics argued he fell short on transparency in abuse cases and was ambiguous on issues like same-sex marriage, though he urged priests to welcome LGBTQ+ Catholics.
The Vatican has begun traditional rituals following Francis’ death. Cardinal Farrell, as camerlengo, will oversee the Church during the sede vacante period, sealing Francis’ apartments and preparing for his funeral. Unlike predecessors, Francis requested a simple wooden coffin and burial at St. Mary Major Basilica, not St. Peter’s. His body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, possibly starting Wednesday, with a funeral expected within four to six days.
The College of Cardinals will convene a conclave within 15 to 20 days to elect a successor, with only cardinals under 80 eligible to vote. Francis appointed nearly 80% of the current electors, raising expectations that his progressive vision may continue, though traditionalists remain influential.
Francis’ legacy as the “People’s Pope” endures through his outreach to the poor and his challenge to the Church to embrace the modern world. “We lost a father,” said Claudio Macinanti, a 69-year-old mourner in St. Peter’s Square. As the Church enters a period of transition, the world reflects on a pontiff who reshaped Catholicism with humility and courage.
For updates on funeral arrangements, visit www.vaticannews.va.
