VATICAN CITY – The Vatican announced with deep sorrow the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. The Holy Father, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died at 7.35 am at the Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City. He was 88.
The solemn announcement was made at 9.45 am by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church:
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis… 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.”
A life marked by humility, reform, and global compassion, Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope and the first from Latin America, elected to the papacy in March 2013. His tenure as the 266th Bishop of Rome spanned over a decade, during which he became known for his unwavering advocacy for the poor, environmental stewardship, and efforts to modernize the Catholic Church while holding firm to its spiritual essence.
Final Days and Failing Health
The Holy See confirmed that Pope Francis had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14 after a prolonged respiratory illness. Doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on February 18. Although he returned to the Casa Santa Marta after 38 days to continue recovery, his health continued to deteriorate.
The Pope’s struggle with respiratory issues had been long-standing. In 1957, at just 21, he underwent surgery in Argentina to remove part of a lung. The condition plagued him throughout his life and intensified with age. In November 2023, he canceled a trip to the United Arab Emirates due to influenza and lung inflammation.
Laying to Rest a Pope of the People
According to Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, the Pope’s body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, where the faithful will be able to pay their final respects.
“The translation of the Holy Father’s mortal remains to the Vatican Basilica… may take place on the morning of Wednesday,” Bruni announced, pending the outcome of the first meeting of the College of Cardinals.
In anticipation of this moment, Pope Francis had personally approved a revised edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the liturgical guide for papal funerals, in April 2024. The updated rites, Archbishop Diego Ravelli noted, reflect Francis’s desire for simplicity, humility, and a Christ-centered farewell.
“The renewed rite 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,” said Ravelli.
Under the revised ritual, the Pope’s death was formally confirmed in a chapel, not in the room where he died, and his body placed directly into the coffin in accordance with his wishes.
Legacy of a Humble Revolutionary
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy rooted in love, reform, and social justice. He challenged conventions within the Church and global society, embraced interfaith dialogue, advocated for the climate through Laudato Si’, and sought to make the Church more inclusive and merciful.
His death marks the end of a transformative chapter in the Vatican’s history, one defined not by power, but by service.
The world now awaits further announcements regarding the papal funeral and the eventual convening of the conclave to elect his successor.
As bells toll across St. Peter’s Square, millions remember a pope who walked with the people, spoke for the voiceless, and shepherded his flock with compassion. -MalayaDailyToday
