At 9:45 AM on April 21, 2025, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, solemnly announced the death of Pope Francis from Casa Santa Marta.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” he said. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church… We commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was 88 years old. His health had been in decline for months. He was hospitalized on February 14, 2025, with bronchitis, and later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, he returned to Casa Santa Marta to continue treatment, where he died peacefully this morning.
The Vatican Press Office announced that the late pontiff’s body will likely be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, to allow the faithful to venerate his remains. Details of the funeral Mass and burial arrangements are expected following the first Congregation of Cardinals.
In April 2024, Pope Francis approved a revised edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis—the official liturgical guide for papal funerals—emphasizing humility, faith, and hope in the Resurrection. The new rites call for the Pope’s body to be moved to the chapel for the ascertainment of death and for immediate placement into the coffin. The rites reflect Francis’ own request for simplicity and spiritual focus.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, noted that the Holy Father “wanted a funeral not marked by grandeur but by the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.” Ravelli said, “The renewed rite seeks to emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ, not of a powerful person of this world.”
A Papacy of Peace and the Poor
The first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope, Francis was elected in 2013 and quickly became known as “the Pope of Mercy.” His pontificate was marked by a pastoral approach to the marginalized, a passionate call for peace, and a global emphasis on environmental stewardship.
Even in illness, Pope Francis remained a teacher of humility. He canceled international trips when his health faltered, yet continued his papal duties with determination.
He now joins the long line of Successors of Peter, leaving behind a Church challenged, yet inspired, by his call to go to the peripheries and embrace the love of Christ crucified and risen.
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Pope Francis’s life and work were truly inspiring, always putting faith and humility at the forefront. His dedication to the marginalized and his call for peace left a lasting impact on the world. Even in his final days, he remained a symbol of strength and devotion. The Church has lost a remarkable leader, but his legacy will continue to guide and inspire. How will his teachings on mercy and environmental stewardship shape the future of the Church?