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Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 after leading the Catholic Church for 12 years, the Vatican announced.
Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced that the Bishop of Rome passed away at 7:35 on Monday morning.
Farrell said in the announcement that the pontiff’s “entire life” was “dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”
Highlights
- Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 on Monday morning, the Vatican announced.
- He was the head of the Catholic Church for the past 12 years.
- World leaders shared touching tributes to the “inspiring” religious figure.
- “His final appearance on Easter Sunday now feels like a farewell from the heart of the Church itself," a social media user said.
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Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88
Image credits: Ashwin Vaswani/Unsplash
Francis passed away at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta just weeks after being discharged from hospital, where he spent 38 days with double pneumonia.
Reports said he had serious respiratory difficulties and was struggling to raise his arms or speak for long periods of time.
Image credits: Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket
The pontiff’s passing came a day after he gave the traditional Easter blessing on Sunday, April 20, appearing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica before a cheering crowd.
Seated in a wheelchair, he greeted thousands of worshipers with a wave and said, “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”
The pontiff was the head of the Catholic Church for 12 years
Image credits: Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
As part of the Easter festivities, he also emerged from his convalescence to bless worshippers in St. Peter’s Square.
He paused several times to bless babies brought before him while passing through the delighted crowd.
The pope also met US Vice President JD Vance, marking his highest-profile appearance since being discharged from hospital.
Pope Francis greeted thousands of worshipers in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday
Image credits: Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized,” Farrell said in the Monday announcement.
“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 God, One and Tribune,” he added.
Francis became the first Latin-American pontiff in 2013 and was one of the oldest popes in the church’s history.
World leaders shared touching tributes to the “inspiring” religious leader
Image credits: Barbara Provenzano/Unsplash
Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis.
He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.
My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.
May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’… pic.twitter.com/FiI6SASNl8
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 21, 2025
As the world mourns his loss, world leaders shared touching tributes online.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he and his wife are sending their thoughts “to all Catholics and to the grieving world.”
“From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest,” he said in a tweet. “May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him.”
Image credits: Mikdev/Pixabay
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen also shared a tribute online.
“He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” she wrote on X.
For those feeling “this profound loss,” Ursula hopes they find solace in knowing that his “legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”
Image credits: Annett_Klingner/Pixabay
John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, called the pope the “voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation in our society.”
“He brought comfort, assurance and hope to many,” he added. “May he Rest in Peace.”
Netizens expressed grief following the news of his passing
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/jUIkbplVi2
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025
Netizens expressed grief following the news of his passing.
“Pope Francis was a shining example of empathy and compassion. His passing leaves a great void, but his memory will continue to inspire us,” one said.
Image credits: manfred Kindlinger/Pixabay
“He looked really exhausted yesterday. May his soul rest peacefully,” another wrote.
“A giant has fallen, not with noise, but with dignity,” commented another. “His final appearance on Easter Sunday now feels like a farewell from the heart of the Church itself. May his legacy of humility, justice, and compassion echo for generations. Rest in peace, Holy Father. The world is quieter without you.”
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What do you think ?
Glasofruix 7 months ago
It's just too bad he had to spend some of his last moments speaking to JD Vance.
Rick Murray 7 months ago
Given that the Pope was somewhat a critic, commence the amusing conspiracy theories in three...two...one...
Load More Replies... Libstak 7 months ago
The 1st to take the name Frances in honour of St Francis of Assisi who is the patron saint of animals and the poor. I am heart broken, not because he has passed, he was in great suffering and is with God now, but because he was so much more than Pope's have bothered to be for many many centuries and I have a sadness that the next will be a completely politically motivated appointment.
UpupaEpops 7 months ago
I worry we'll be getting an ultra-conservative one. A lot of the cardinals were more than a little bit miffed with him trying to curb their spending and calling out their excesses. To my knowledge, the bishops in Africa didn't accept him at all due to his stance on LGBTQ rights and his advocacy for the use of condoms to prevent STDs. The last thing we need right now is right winger in the Papal seat.
Load More Replies...
BeesEelsAndPups 7 months ago
I'm not Catholic, or even Christian, but as Popes go he was decent enough.
Load More Replies... 
Gabriele Alfredo Pini 7 months ago
Pope Francis tried his best to reform an institution counting 1Giga people. Any teacher can say that 20 are already too much. May he rest in peace, may his successor continue his reforms.
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 7 months ago
I'm not heartbroken. None of my family are heartbroken. Can't think of any friends who are heartbroken. But, apparently, "the world" is heartbroken, so I guess that includes me. Huh, who knew?
Forrest Grump 7 months ago
"Leaving The World Heartbroken" I think it is reasonable to expect that the heartbroken people are the brainwashed cult members. Oh yeah, and the politicians with fake tears.
MagicJacket 7 months ago
I am not Catholic nor heartbroken. He seemed like one of the more decent popes. More compassionate. Given how close to Easter he passed, might want to keep an eye on him for about three days. 😁
Slapdash1 7 months ago
Man wasn't willing to openly say that Russia attacked Ukraine. I say good riddance.
Spark 7 months ago
And he said that "Ukraine should raise the white flag."
Load More Replies...
Chewie Baron 7 months ago
I’m not heartbroken at all, but, JD Vance saw him yesterday. Coincidence???
Anton 7 months ago
Same! "Leaving the world heartbroken" dont understand that.. time religion is cancelled
Load More Replies...
Nils Skirnir 7 months ago
Just after Vance visited him. Did Vance k**l the Pope because of the Pope’s humanitarianism? Or is Vance just bad luck and inherently evil? I.e. the devil’s own
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 7 months ago
Disorganised is worse though - no set times for services, no one knows which church to attend, the vows are just random sentences...
Load More Replies...
antoinette maldari 7 months ago
I was thinking that Trump would try and appoint one of his brood as Pope!
Load More Replies... JoNo 7 months ago
Perhaps a retirement age (or stage) should be put in place so these old popes can enjoy their golden years without having to do papal work. My father was a priest and he retired during his 60s and enjoyed his retirement occasionally doing locum work.
Apatheist Account2 7 months ago
I understand that the argument is that retirement date is set by a higher being.
Load More Replies... Boris Long-Johnson 7 months ago
If you believe in how particular flavour of cult surely you’d be happy as he’s with god and if you don’t why would you care?
The Cute Cat 7 months ago
He is a great man for standing out the good cause.. Like not bowing to world craziness of letting genocide happen in Palestine.
Libstak 7 months ago
It's about each individual life for him, not politics. The forces of hate and evil are not exclusively on one side or the other, we recognise them when they target innocents and that's all we can do is see the truth. The Israelis targeted on October 7 were completely innocent. When over 40,000 civilians die in collateral damage via retaliation and the need to exterminate those who targeted the first innocents, we can't pretend there has not been hate and evil there too.
Load More Replies... 
Glasofruix 7 months ago
It's just too bad he had to spend some of his last moments speaking to JD Vance.
Rick Murray 7 months ago
Given that the Pope was somewhat a critic, commence the amusing conspiracy theories in three...two...one...
Load More Replies... Libstak 7 months ago
The 1st to take the name Frances in honour of St Francis of Assisi who is the patron saint of animals and the poor. I am heart broken, not because he has passed, he was in great suffering and is with God now, but because he was so much more than Pope's have bothered to be for many many centuries and I have a sadness that the next will be a completely politically motivated appointment.
UpupaEpops 7 months ago
I worry we'll be getting an ultra-conservative one. A lot of the cardinals were more than a little bit miffed with him trying to curb their spending and calling out their excesses. To my knowledge, the bishops in Africa didn't accept him at all due to his stance on LGBTQ rights and his advocacy for the use of condoms to prevent STDs. The last thing we need right now is right winger in the Papal seat.
Load More Replies... BeesEelsAndPups 7 months ago
I'm not Catholic, or even Christian, but as Popes go he was decent enough.
Load More Replies... Gabriele Alfredo Pini 7 months ago
Pope Francis tried his best to reform an institution counting 1Giga people. Any teacher can say that 20 are already too much. May he rest in peace, may his successor continue his reforms.
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 7 months ago
I'm not heartbroken. None of my family are heartbroken. Can't think of any friends who are heartbroken. But, apparently, "the world" is heartbroken, so I guess that includes me. Huh, who knew?
Forrest Grump 7 months ago
"Leaving The World Heartbroken" I think it is reasonable to expect that the heartbroken people are the brainwashed cult members. Oh yeah, and the politicians with fake tears.
MagicJacket 7 months ago
I am not Catholic nor heartbroken. He seemed like one of the more decent popes. More compassionate. Given how close to Easter he passed, might want to keep an eye on him for about three days. 😁
Slapdash1 7 months ago
Man wasn't willing to openly say that Russia attacked Ukraine. I say good riddance.
Spark 7 months ago
And he said that "Ukraine should raise the white flag."
Load More Replies... Chewie Baron 7 months ago
I’m not heartbroken at all, but, JD Vance saw him yesterday. Coincidence???
Anton 7 months ago
Same! "Leaving the world heartbroken" dont understand that.. time religion is cancelled
Load More Replies... Nils Skirnir 7 months ago
Just after Vance visited him. Did Vance k**l the Pope because of the Pope’s humanitarianism? Or is Vance just bad luck and inherently evil? I.e. the devil’s own
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 7 months ago
Disorganised is worse though - no set times for services, no one knows which church to attend, the vows are just random sentences...
Load More Replies... antoinette maldari 7 months ago
I was thinking that Trump would try and appoint one of his brood as Pope!
Load More Replies... JoNo 7 months ago
Perhaps a retirement age (or stage) should be put in place so these old popes can enjoy their golden years without having to do papal work. My father was a priest and he retired during his 60s and enjoyed his retirement occasionally doing locum work.
Apatheist Account2 7 months ago
I understand that the argument is that retirement date is set by a higher being.
Load More Replies... Boris Long-Johnson 7 months ago
If you believe in how particular flavour of cult surely you’d be happy as he’s with god and if you don’t why would you care?
The Cute Cat 7 months ago
He is a great man for standing out the good cause.. Like not bowing to world craziness of letting genocide happen in Palestine.
Libstak 7 months ago
It's about each individual life for him, not politics. The forces of hate and evil are not exclusively on one side or the other, we recognise them when they target innocents and that's all we can do is see the truth. The Israelis targeted on October 7 were completely innocent. When over 40,000 civilians die in collateral damage via retaliation and the need to exterminate those who targeted the first innocents, we can't pretend there has not been hate and evil there too.
Load More Replies... 
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