Pope Francis dies at age 88
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio) passed away at age 88, on April 21, 2025, 7:35 a.m. local time in Vatican City. His death followed a five-week stay in hospital a month earlier, where he suffered from a respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia. The cause of his death was officially registered as a stroke followed by irreversible cardiac arrest.
The day before his death, Francis conducted Easter mass, Easter prayers, and called for the end of ongoing wars in the world such as in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. He also attended a meeting with American Vice President JD Vance.
He died at his Casa Santa Marta residence, with a statement from Cardinal Kevin Farrell reading:
"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."
According to his wishes, Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
Sources
[edit]- Antoinette Radford, Maureen Chowdhury, Christopher Lamb, Christian Edwards and Issy Ronald. "The latest on the death of Pope Francis as tributes pour in worldwide" — CNN, April 21, 2025
- Vanessa Buschschlüter. "World's Catholics mourn Pope Francis who has died aged 88" — BBC, April 21, 2025
- Irish Independent Newsdesk. "Pope Francis dies aged 88: Nine days of mourning, tributes from world leaders and a Dublin-born cardinal with a key role at Vatican" — April 21, 2025
- "Pope Francis, first Latin American leader of Roman Catholic Church, dies aged 88" — April 21, 2025
- "Pope Francis has died, the Vatican says" — April 21, 2025
- Devin Watkins. "Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88" — Vatican News, April 21, 2025
- "From Buenos Aires to Rome: Key dates in the life of Pope Francis" — AP News, April 21, 2025
