Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88.  

The Vatican confirmed that the pontiff passed away at his residence, the Casa Santa Marta, within Vatican City at 07:35 local time on Monday, which was Easter Monday.  

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, made the announcement from the Casa Santa Marta, expressing “deep sorrow” at the news.  

His death comes just hours after he greeted Catholic faithful at the Vatican during Easter Sunday services.

The Vatican’s statement said Pope Francis “returned to the house of the Father,” emphasising his dedication to “the service of the Lord and of His Church,” and his focus on “the poorest and most marginalised.”  

The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from world leaders. King Charles, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and US Senator JD Vance, who briefly met the Pope on Sunday, are among those who have expressed their condolences.  

The pontiff had recently been discharged from hospital after weeks of treatment for an infection. He had been admitted on February 14th, 2025, with bronchitis, which later developed into bilateral pneumonia.  

Pope Francis had a history of respiratory issues. In his early 20s, he underwent surgery to remove part of a lung, and in recent years, he had cancelled public appearances due to influenza and lung inflammation.  

The Vatican has previously updated the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, at Pope Francis’s request, to simplify the ceremony and focus on the Church’s faith in the “Risen Body of Christ.” Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, said the late Pope wanted the funeral to be “that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”  

The Vatican has not yet announced the details of the funeral Mass.