Pope Francis dies aged 88
Pope Francis, who was 88 years old, passed away on Easter Monday.
In the year 2025, Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, at his apartment in Casa Santa Marta, which is located within the Vatican.
With profound sorrow, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, delivered the solemn news:
“My dearest brothers and sisters in Christ,
It is with a heavy heart that I must share with you that our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, has passed into the arms of the Lord. He departed this life peacefully at Casa Santa Marta at 9:45 this morning.
We thank you for your prayers, your love, and your unwavering support during this time of mourning.”
This morning, at 7:35, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, returned to the house of the Father.
His life was a testament to tireless service—dedicated wholly to the Lord and to the Church He founded.
With steadfast faith, courageous humility, and boundless love—especially for the poor, the forgotten, and the oppressed—Pope Francis called us to live the Gospel not merely in word, but in action.
“With hearts full of sorrow yet overflowing with gratitude, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite mercy of our Triune God, giving thanks for the radiant example of discipleship he so faithfully gave us.”
In the late hours of Monday, Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, addressed members of the media with a solemn update.
He announced that the mortal remains of Pope Francis may be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, 2025, allowing the faithful to gather in prayer and pay their final respects.
“The translation of the Holy Father’s body to the Vatican Basilica, for the veneration of all the faithful, is expected to take place on Wednesday morning, according to arrangements that will be finalized and communicated following the initial Congregation of Cardinals tomorrow,” Mr. Bruni stated.
Pope Francis had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering complications from bronchitis. Despite the best efforts of his medical team, his condition worsened over the days that followed.
On Tuesday, February 18, he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, which marked a significant and rapid decline in his health.
After a 38-day stay at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital, the late Pope Francis returned to his residence at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City to continue his recovery in the familiar comfort of home.
His struggle with respiratory illness had deep roots. In 1957, as a young man in his early twenties, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent a significant operation in Argentina to remove part of a lung damaged by a severe infection. Though he recovered, respiratory issues would follow him throughout his life.
In his later years, these health challenges became more frequent. In November 2023, he was forced to postpone a planned apostolic journey to the United Arab Emirates due to a bout of flu and lung inflammation.
Ever faithful to the duties of his office, Pope Francis continued to prepare for the future of the Church. In April 2024, he personally approved a revised edition of the liturgical rites for papal funerals—a quiet, humble gesture that now carries profound significance.
The second edition of the Ordo Exequiarum Romani Pontificis—the liturgical guide for the funeral rites of a Roman Pontiff—will serve as the foundational text for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis. The specific details of the ceremony have not yet been made public.
This newly revised edition introduces several notable updates to papal funeral protocols, reflecting both tradition and renewal.
Among the most significant changes is the revised handling of the Holy Father’s mortal remains. In a departure from past custom, the official pronouncement of death now takes place not in the room where the Pope passes away, but within a chapel. Immediately following the confirmation of death, his body is reverently placed into the coffin, emphasizing solemnity and spiritual dignity.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, explained that these changes reflect the wishes of Pope Francis himself. The late Pontiff had requested that the funeral and burial rites be simplified—refined to focus on the Church’s unshakable faith in the resurrection of Christ and the promise of eternal life.
“The renewed rite seeks to emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world,” Archbishop Ravelli stated.
“The funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ.”
