Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and a globally admired religious leader, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday, April 21, 2025. The announcement came just hours after the pontiff made what would be his final public appearance at Easter Mass in Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday.
The Vatican’s statement, delivered by Cardinal Kevin Farrell at 7:35 a.m. Rome time, described his passing as a “return to the home of the Father,” signaling the end of an era marked by bold reforms, interfaith dialogue, and unprecedented papal humility. “The Bishop of Rome, Francis, has gone to rest in the Lord,” the official release noted.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected in March 2013, becoming the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first non-European to lead the Church in over 1,200 years. His papacy focused heavily on compassion, environmental justice, poverty alleviation, and confronting clerical abuse with transparency.
His health had been a growing concern over the past two years, with several hospitalizations and surgical procedures. Despite this, the pontiff continued his duties with resilience, including hosting major Vatican events and advocating for peace amid global conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.
Reactions have poured in from around the world. Catholic faithful and leaders across denominations have praised his courage, humility, and groundbreaking efforts to bring the Church closer to marginalized communities. The Vatican has declared nine days of mourning, and preparations for a historic funeral at Saint Peter’s Basilica are underway.
Francis was revered not just as a pope but as a moral compass in an era of turbulence. From washing the feet of refugees to visiting prisons and urging world leaders to act on climate change, his legacy will be studied and debated for decades to come.
Details surrounding the conclave to elect his successor are expected within the coming days, as the world mourns a man who redefined the papacy for a new generation.
