Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff and the first Latin American pope, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death marks the end of a 12-year papacy characterized by a focus on humility, social justice, and outreach to the marginalized.
Pope Francis died at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta at 7:35 AM local time. The official cause of death was a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, compounded by heart failure. He had a history of serious health issues, including bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes. His health had been deteriorating since a severe bout of pneumonia in February 2025, which required a 38-day hospitalization at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital. After returning to the Vatican for recovery, he continued to engage in limited public appearances despite his frailty.
Remarkably, Pope Francis remained active in his duties until shortly before his death. On Easter Sunday, he made a brief public appearance at St. Peter’s Square, delivering the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing via an aide due to his weakened condition. He also met privately with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was the last foreign official to see him alive. These final moments underscored his dedication to his ministry, serving until the very end despite his declining health.
Pope Francis was widely regarded as a transformative figure in the Catholic Church. He was known for his progressive stances on social issues, including his advocacy for migrants, criticism of nationalist policies, and efforts to soften the Church’s positions on topics such as homosexuality and the death penalty. His papacy was also marked by efforts to address the Church’s sexual abuse scandals, though these challenges persisted. He was often called “the people’s pope” for his humility and closeness to the poor and marginalized247.
Following tradition, the Vatican has begun the formal procedures surrounding his death. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the pope’s passing and performed the traditional verification rites. Pope Francis’ body is expected to be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration starting Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Cardinals from around the world will soon convene to plan the funeral and begin the conclave to elect his successor. Notably, Pope Francis expressed in his will a desire to be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, rather than the usual burial site at St. Peter’s Basilica, requesting a simple grave with his papal name inscribed in Latin: Franciscus.
The death of Pope Francis closes a significant chapter in the history of the Catholic Church. His leadership, marked by compassion and reform, left a lasting imprint on the global Catholic community of approximately 1.4 billion members. As the Church prepares to elect a new pope, the world reflects on the legacy of a pontiff who served with humility and a profound commitment to the Gospel until his final moments.