Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88.** He died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 7:35 AM CEST in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. The Vatican confirmed his death in a statement delivered by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber. This marks the first papal vacancy since the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.
### A Life of Service and Humility
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis made history in 2013 as the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium. His papacy was characterized by a commitment to humility, social justice, and reform within the Catholic Church. He chose to reside in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta rather than the traditional Apostolic Palace, emphasizing simplicity and accessibility.
### Health Challenges and Final Days
In February 2025, Pope Francis was hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital due to a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He had part of a lung removed as a young man and had undergone two major intestinal surgeries in recent years. Despite these challenges, he remained active in his final days. On Easter Sunday, just a day before his passing, he made a surprise appearance among worshippers in St. Peter’s Square and met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. However, he showed signs of illness early Monday morning and lost consciousness shortly after. He passed away peacefully, with the Vatican describing his final moments as discreet and without prolonged suffering.
### Global Tributes and Legacy
Pope Francis’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the world. Leaders from various countries praised his humility, compassion, and commitment to peace and social justice. In the United States, President Joe Biden lauded him as “The People’s Pope,” while former President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance also offered condolences. In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, Islamic organizations and the public alike paid tribute to the Pope’s commitment to interfaith harmony and his vocal opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
### Funeral Arrangements
In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, making him the first pope to be interred outside the Vatican since Pope Leo XIII in 1903. The funeral is scheduled for April 26, 2025, at 10:00 CEST in St. Peter’s Square. The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Pope Francis had previously approved plans to simplify the traditional papal funeral rites, opting for a basic wooden coffin lined with zinc and ending the tradition of placing the pope’s body on a raised platform for public viewing.
### Conclusion
Pope Francis’s death marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church. His commitment to humility, social justice, and interfaith dialogue has left an indelible mark on the global religious landscape. As the Church prepares for a new leader, the legacy of Pope Francis will continue to inspire and guide Catholics and people of goodwill around the world.
