Pope Francis has died. The Vatican announced his passing in a statement early Monday morning. He was 88 years old.
The Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announced the pontiff’s death with a statement at 9:45 a.m. local time.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Farrell said in the statement. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. 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,” Farrell added. “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.”
Pope Francis’s death came the day after Easter Sunday, considered the holiest day of the year in the Catholic religion. Incidentally, Pope Francis made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, a surprise and unexpected greeting to the estimated crowd of more than 35,000 people. He rode through the piazza in his popemobile. It was his first appearance in front of a large crowd since before his illness.
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The Pope was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, after feeling ill with bronchitis. Several days later he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and was in the hospital for 38 days, according to multiple reports. After his stay in the hospital, Pope Francis returned to his residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936 in Bueno Aires, Argentina. He was elected pope on March 13, 2013 and took the papal name of Francis. He was the first pope elected from the American continents and the Southern hemisphere.