Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 in his residence in the Vatican’s Santa Marta.
This was reported in the Vatican with reference to Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
At 9:45, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta, saying:
“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.”
The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days. Pope Francis’ condition gradually deteriorated, and on Tuesday, February 18, doctors diagnosed him with bilateral pneumonia.
After 38 days in hospital, the Pope returned to his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, for further recovery.
In 1957, at the age of 20, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove part of a lung affected by a severe respiratory infection.
As he aged, Pope Francis often suffered from respiratory ailments and even canceled a scheduled visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to flu and pneumonia.
In April 2024, Pope Francis approved a revised edition of the liturgical book for papal funerals, which will be used for the funeral Mass. It has not yet been announced.
The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the remains of a pope should be treated after his death.
The declaration of death takes place in a chapel, not in the room where he died, and the body is immediately placed in a coffin.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, Pope Francis had asked for funeral rites to be simplified and focused on expressing the Church’s faith in the Risen Body of Christ.
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”
