Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City.
At 9:45 a.m., Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, formally announced Pope Francis’s passing from Casa Santa Marta.
Pope Francis was admitted to Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, 2025, after experiencing bronchitis for several days. His condition worsened, and by February 18, he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days, he returned to Casa Santa Marta to recover. Pope Francis had long struggled with respiratory issues, having lost part of a lung in his youth due to a severe infection. Over the years, these health problems persisted, including the cancellation of a UAE trip in 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
In April 2024, he approved an updated version of the papal funeral rites, which will guide his own funeral. The revised Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis includes new procedures, such as confirming death in the chapel and placing the body directly into the coffin. Archbishop Diego Ravelli noted that Pope Francis had requested a simplified funeral, centered on the Church’s belief in the Resurrection of Christ.
More About Pope Francis
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, started his religious journey as a Jesuit priest in Argentina before becoming the archbishop of Buenos Aires and eventually a cardinal. During his time as archbishop, he dedicated most of his service to his homeland, guiding local churches and grassroots priests, while often finding himself at odds with the Argentine government on conservative matters.
Pope Francis, who faced several health challenges in recent years—including knee and hip issues, colon inflammation, and a history of respiratory infections due to a partial lung removal at age 21—continued to serve actively despite his ailments. As the 266th Pope, elected on March 13, 2013, he held the role of Peter’s successor, head of the bishops, and global pastor of the Catholic Church.
His papacy was defined by a strong push for reform and openness within the Church. The first Latin American Pope, Francis often addressed major social and global issues such as LGBTQIA+ inclusion, climate change, the refugee crisis, and Church accountability for child sexual abuse. In his final days, he remained engaged with world affairs, including voicing strong condemnation of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and regularly calling a parish in Gaza City to support the Catholic community there.
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