Pope Francis dies at 88 on Easter Monday
Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning, April 21, 2025, at 7:35 a.m., in his residence at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. The official announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who conveyed with deep sorrow, "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 Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days. Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18. After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection. As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
In April 2024, Pope Francis approved a new edition of the liturgical ritual for papal funerals, requiring them to be simple and centered on faith in the Resurrection of Christ.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.
Pope Francis has led the Catholic Church for 12 years, being a fervent supporter of the poor, peace and ecumenism.
He was the first Pope of the Americas and a symbol of peace
“Francis is the name of peace – that’s how this name entered my heart,” he explained in March 2013, shortly after becoming the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. Inspired by the advice of Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes – “Don’t forget the poor!” – the new Pontiff chose the name Francis, in memory of Saint Francis of Assisi, a symbol of peace and poverty.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, the son of Italian immigrants. He pursued an academic career in chemistry, but felt called to the priesthood and entered the Jesuit Order. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and later held leadership positions within the Society of Jesus and Catholic academia.
In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, and in 1998 he became Archbishop and Primate of Argentina. He was created cardinal in 2001. During this time, he led a modest life, living in an apartment, taking the subway and cooking for himself, stating that “my people are poor and I am one of them.”
Simple and prophetic
Pope Francis has been a critic of “worldly spirituality” and the obsession with power, stating that the greatest danger for the Church is losing its simplicity and closeness to the people. He has reformed Vatican institutions, launched broadly consultative synods, and promoted women to leadership positions. He was the first pope to allow women to vote in a synod.
His apostolic visits to marginalized areas—including the Roma neighborhood of Blaj, Romania—have been symbolic moments.
