Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death occurred at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the Pope’s passing, stating, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father”.
The Pope’s health had been a concern in recent years. In February 2025, he was hospitalized with severe bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia, leading to a 38-day stay at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. During this time, he also experienced early-stage kidney failure and required mechanical ventilation . Despite these challenges, he made a public appearance on Easter Sunday, April 20, delivering his final blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica.
Elected as the 266th pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Francis was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. His papacy was marked by a focus on humility, social justice, and environmental issues. He addressed global concerns such as migration, climate change, and economic inequality, and took progressive stances on matters like LGBTQ+ rights and the abolition of the death penalty.
Pope Francis also worked to address the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse scandals, implementing reforms and promoting transparency. He was known for his modest lifestyle and efforts to make the Church more inclusive and compassionate. His 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” emphasized the importance of caring for the environment, reflecting his commitment to ecological issues.
Tributes poured in from around the world following his death. King Charles III expressed deep sorrow, recalling a recent visit with the Pope and praising his dedication to unity and compassion. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who met with the Pope shortly before his passing, honored his influence and character.
In accordance with Pope Francis’s wishes, his funeral arrangements will be modest. He will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, marking the first time in over a century that a pope will be interred outside the Vatican. The Vatican has suspended certain ceremonies, such as the canonization of Carlo Acutis, but confirmed that the Jubilee celebrations will continue as planned.
A papal conclave is scheduled to begin between May 6 and May 11, 2025, to elect Pope Francis’s successor. The College of Cardinals, comprising 135 electors under the age of 80, will convene in the Sistine Chapel to undertake this solemn responsibility.
Pope Francis’s legacy as a reformer and advocate for the marginalized will continue to influence the Catholic Church and its followers worldwide.
