Pope Francis Passes Away on Easter Monday at Age 88
On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta within the Vatican.
By Devin Watkins:
At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the passing of Pope Francis with the following message from Casa Santa Marta:
“Beloved brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome departed this life and returned to the house of the Father. His life was a profound witness to service—dedicated wholly to God and the Church. He guided us to embody Gospel values with sincerity, bravery, and a love that extended to all, particularly the most vulnerable and forgotten. With heartfelt gratitude for his faithful discipleship, we entrust his soul to the boundless mercy of the Triune God.”
Later that day, Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, informed journalists that plans were underway to move the Pope's body to St. Peter's Basilica by Wednesday morning, giving the faithful an opportunity to pay their respects.
“The transfer of the Holy Father’s body to the Vatican Basilica for public veneration is expected to take place on the morning of April 23, 2025,” Bruni said. “Detailed arrangements will be announced following tomorrow’s first meeting of the College of Cardinals.”
Pope Francis had been hospitalized at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on February 14, 2025, due to complications from bronchitis. On February 18, his condition was further complicated by bilateral pneumonia. After spending 38 days in the hospital, he returned to Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
His health challenges were not new. In 1957, while in his early twenties, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent lung surgery in Argentina to remove part of a lung affected by a severe infection. Over the years, he experienced frequent respiratory issues. In November 2023, he had to cancel a scheduled visit to the UAE because of influenza and lung inflammation.
In April 2024, Pope Francis approved a revised edition of the liturgical rites for papal funerals, which will now serve as the guide for his own funeral. The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduced changes regarding post-mortem practices, such as confirming death in a chapel rather than in the room of death and the immediate placement of the body into the coffin.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, shared that Pope Francis had requested a simpler funeral rite, centered on the Church’s faith in the resurrection of Christ.
“This updated liturgy,” Archbishop Ravelli explained, “aims to highlight that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a shepherd and follower of Christ—not that of a worldly dignitary.”
On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta within the Vatican.
By Devin Watkins:
At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the passing of Pope Francis with the following message from Casa Santa Marta:
“Beloved brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome departed this life and returned to the house of the Father. His life was a profound witness to service—dedicated wholly to God and the Church. He guided us to embody Gospel values with sincerity, bravery, and a love that extended to all, particularly the most vulnerable and forgotten. With heartfelt gratitude for his faithful discipleship, we entrust his soul to the boundless mercy of the Triune God.”
Later that day, Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, informed journalists that plans were underway to move the Pope's body to St. Peter's Basilica by Wednesday morning, giving the faithful an opportunity to pay their respects.
“The transfer of the Holy Father’s body to the Vatican Basilica for public veneration is expected to take place on the morning of April 23, 2025,” Bruni said. “Detailed arrangements will be announced following tomorrow’s first meeting of the College of Cardinals.”
Pope Francis had been hospitalized at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on February 14, 2025, due to complications from bronchitis. On February 18, his condition was further complicated by bilateral pneumonia. After spending 38 days in the hospital, he returned to Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
His health challenges were not new. In 1957, while in his early twenties, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent lung surgery in Argentina to remove part of a lung affected by a severe infection. Over the years, he experienced frequent respiratory issues. In November 2023, he had to cancel a scheduled visit to the UAE because of influenza and lung inflammation.
In April 2024, Pope Francis approved a revised edition of the liturgical rites for papal funerals, which will now serve as the guide for his own funeral. The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduced changes regarding post-mortem practices, such as confirming death in a chapel rather than in the room of death and the immediate placement of the body into the coffin.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, shared that Pope Francis had requested a simpler funeral rite, centered on the Church’s faith in the resurrection of Christ.
“This updated liturgy,” Archbishop Ravelli explained, “aims to highlight that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a shepherd and follower of Christ—not that of a worldly dignitary.”
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