Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.
At 9:45 a.m., Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced the death of Pope Francis:
“Dear brothers and sisters, with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and 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 director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told journalists later on Monday that the Pope’s body could be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, so that the faithful can pray before his mortal remains.
“The transfer of the Holy Father’s mortal remains to the Vatican Basilica, for the veneration of all the faithful, may take place on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, 2025, according to the arrangements that will be determined and communicated tomorrow, after the first Congregation of Cardinals,” said Mr. Bruni.
Fragile health
The Pope was admitted to the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from bronchitis for several days.
Pope Francis’s clinical condition gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days in the hospital, the Pope returned to his residence in the Vatican to continue his recovery.
Even with fragile health, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the Easter message on Sunday morning (20).
In 1957, at just over 20 years old, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung affected by a severe respiratory infection.
With advancing age, Pope Francis frequently suffered respiratory illnesses, even canceling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the Church’s faith in the Body of the Risen Christ.
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a shepherd and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”
Source: Vatican News