BREAKING: Pope Francis Dies at 88 on Easter Monday
The 266th Pope, known for his humility, compassion, and advocacy for the marginalized, dies peacefully at the Vatican after a prolonged illness
- Pope Francis died peacefully on Easter Monday at age 88 after battling pneumonia
- He was the first Latin American Pope and served nearly 12 years as the 266th pontiff
- Renowned for his humility, he championed the poor and pushed for Church reforms
Vatican City – The world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, who died peacefully on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
At exactly 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, formally announced the Pope’s death from the Casa Santa Marta, delivering the solemn message:
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.
His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Pope Francis had been battling recurring respiratory issues for much of his life.
He was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, 2025, after suffering from bronchitis. His condition worsened in the following days, and by February 18, doctors confirmed he had developed bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days in hospital care, he was discharged and returned to the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, where he continued his recovery until his passing.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who became the first pope from Latin America, had a history of respiratory complications dating back to his early twenties, when part of his lung was removed due to a serious infection.
In later years, his health challenges persisted, including a canceled trip to the UAE in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
