Pope Francis Passes Away At 88
Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Catholic Church, passed away at 88 on 21st April 2025 at the Vatican.
On 21st April 2025, at 9:45 am, the Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis. He passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
Pope Francis was the spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics across the world.
As the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope led religious ceremonies, guided Catholics spiritually, made important decisions about church teachings, and represented the Catholic Church globally.
The Pope was admitted to Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on 14th February 2025, after suffering from bronchitis for several days. Later, doctors found he had bilateral pneumonia on 18th February, and he also received blood transfusions due to anaemia. After spending 38 days in the hospital, he returned to his Vatican residence on 24th March 2025 to continue his recovery.
Pope Francis had earlier health problems too. In 1957, while in his early 20s, he underwent surgery in Argentina to remove a part of his lung because of a serious respiratory infection. Throughout his life, he often faced respiratory illnesses.
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
He was elected the 266th Pope on 13th March 2013, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He became the first Latin-American to head the Catholic Church.
Before becoming Pope, he served as a Jesuit priest in Argentina and later became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and a cardinal.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope had asked for simple funeral rites. The ascertainment of death will happen in the chapel, not in the room where he passed away, and his body will be immediately placed in the coffin.
In April 2024, Pope Francis had approved a new edition of the papal funeral rites book, Ordo Exsequiarum. This updated guide will be followed for his funeral Mass and handling of his remains.
The world mourns the loss of a leader known for his humility, kindness, and strong voice for peace and justice.
