Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away at the age of 88 on April 21, 2025, in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. His death occurred at 7:35 a.m. local time, just one day after delivering his final Easter blessing in St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican announced his passing through Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who stated that the Pope had “returned to the Father’s house” Dallas News.
Pope Francis had been hospitalized earlier in the year for five weeks due to double pneumonia and kidney failure. Despite his health challenges, he remained active in his duties, meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and delivering his Easter address shortly before his death Business Insider.
Elected as the 266th pontiff in 2013, Pope Francis was the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium. His papacy was marked by humility, social justice advocacy, and efforts to modernize the Church. He was known for his progressive stances on issues like climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic inequality .People.com+1AP News+1Business Insider+1People.com+1
Tributes have poured in from around the world. King Charles III, who met with the Pope just days before his passing, expressed deep sorrow and highlighted Francis’s legacy of compassion and unity . In Italy, Serie A football matches were postponed in mourning, with clubs like AS Roma and Lazio paying homage to the Pope’s impact on global communities .talkSPORT+2AP News+2People.com+2People.com+1Vanity Fair+1talkSPORT
In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis’s funeral will be simplified. He will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, making him the first pope to be interred outside the Vatican since 1903 Wikipedia. The papal conclave to elect his successor is expected to begin between May 6 and May 11, 2025 The Indianapolis Star.
Pope Francis’s death marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church. His commitment to inclusivity and social justice has left a lasting impact on the Church’s 1.3 billion followers worldwide.
