Pope Francis born Jorge Mario Bergoglio has passed on.
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
The Vatican notes that Pope’s death was formally announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber at 9:45 AM.
“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.”Cardinal Kevin announced
The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
His health gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed him with bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.
The late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery after 38 days in hospital.
Born in1936, Pope Francis underwent a surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection in 1957 during his early 20s.
As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass which is yet to be announced.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.
