Pope Francis dies Monday 4/21/2025 at Casa Santa Marta!
Vatican City, Apr 21 (EFE).–
Pope Francis died Monday at 7:35 a.m. (5:35 GMT) in his residence at the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican’s camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announced. He was 88.
“The Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Farrell said in a solemn statement from the Holy See.
“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.”
Paying golden tributes to the Pope, the statement remembered the pontiff “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 announcement about his death was made in a broadcast from the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, where Farrell was joined by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Deputy Secretary Edgar Peña Parra, and papal master of ceremonies Diego Ravelli.
Vatican media streamed the announcement live after informing accredited journalists at 9:45 a.m. via Telegram.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and its first Latin American pope in 2013, following the resignation of Benedict XVI.
Francis recently battled bilateral pneumonia and was discharged from the hospital on Mar. 23 after a 38-day stay.
Although he did not participate in Holy Week rites, he made a final appearance on Easter Sunday, blessing the faithful from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and touring the square in the popemobile, where he appeared frail and moved with difficulty.
Earlier that same morning, the Pope received US Vice President JD Vance at Santa Marta for a brief Easter greeting, the Vatican press office said.
As camerlengo, Farrell will now oversee the sede vacante period, the interregnum that precedes the election of a new pope Funeral details are expected to be announced soon.
In April 2024, Pope Francis approved a revised version of the papal funeral rites, which will be used for his yet-to-be-announced funeral mass.
The updated Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis includes new steps, such as confirming death in the chapel and placing the body directly in the coffin.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli said Francis had requested a simpler ceremony focused on faith in Christ’s resurrection, emphasizing the Pope’s role as a pastor, not a worldly figure. EFE
