Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 7:35 am local time, at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta residence. He was 88 years old.
Cardinal Kevin Ferrell announced his death, stating that Francis “returned to the home of the Father” after dedicating his life to serving the Lord and the Church.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became the first non-European pope in over 1,000 years and the first Jesuit pope.
He was known for his progressive stance on various issues, including the environment, migrants, equality, and church reform. Notably, he wrote the first papal encyclical on the environment, warning about global warming, and encouraged priests to welcome diverse groups.
The College of Cardinals will gather for a conclave to elect the next pope. Francis has made specific arrangements for his burial, requesting to be interred in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in a simple wooden casket.
His funeral is expected to be attended by scores of heads of state, church leaders, and faithful from around the world, marking the end of an era in the Catholic Church.
