On the morning of Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, made a tragic announcement regarding Pope Francis passing. Cardinal Farrell emphasized the late pope's lifelong commitment to serving the Lord and the Church in his statement, highlighting how he taught the faithful to live the Gospel's values with fidelity, courage, and universal love—especially advocating for the poorest and most marginalized, Pope Francis the Bishop of Rome, peacefully returned to the house of the Father at 7:35 a.m, the Cardinal submitted his soul to the boundless merciful love of the One and Triune God and conveyed his sincere gratitude for Pope Francis's example as a real follower of Jesus Christ.
The first Latin American pope and the first non-European pontiff in almost 1,300 years, Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936. His election in March 2013 caught many by surprise because he was perceived as an outsider to the Vatican's established power structures, Francis is known for his simplicity and humility and he chose to live in the communal Casa Santa Marta instead of the opulent papal apartments, reflecting his desire to stay close to the people and preserve his mental health, his papacy was characterized by a strong emphasis on social justice, migrant care, environmental stewardship, and outreach to the underprivileged.
Pope Francis had significant health issues in the months before his passing. He was admitted to the hospital in the middle of February 2025 after being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and bronchitis. He spent 38 days in the hospital before going back to the Vatican home to recuperate further, his health eventually deteriorated and he passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, despite a brief recovery that permitted him to make an appearance in St Peter's Square.
Francis became a global spiritual leader, attracting large crowds on his travels and advocating for causes like climate action, refugee rights, and interfaith understanding. Despite internal divisions and external scrutiny, he sought to reform the Catholic Church throughout his tenure, he inherited a Church struggling with a child sex abuse scandal and administrative conflicts within the Vatican, many conservative factions opposed his efforts to promote mercy, inclusion, and dialogue, while some progressives felt he did not go far enough in transforming the institution.
Following the announcement of his death, the Vatican has entered a period of mourning and preparation for the next steps. Cardinal Farrell, as camerlengo, will oversee the formal verification of the pope’s passing, secure the papal apartments, and arrange funeral rites, a nine-day mourning period will precede the funeral, traditionally held in St. Peter’s Square, although Pope Francis had expressed a wish for a simple burial at the Basilica of St Mary Major Subsequently, the College of Cardinals will convene in a conclave to elect his successor, a process expected to begin 15 to 20 days after his death.
Pope Francis left behind a legacy of humility, kindness, and an unwavering urge to serve others by living out the teachings of the gospel, this spirit was embodied in Cardinal Farrell announcement, which honored the late pope brave leadership and dedication to the underprivileged and disenfranchised, the world considers the significant influence of a pope who aimed to heal divisions and arouse hope during difficult times, as the Catholic Church laments the passing of her shepherd.
The first Latin American pope and the first non-European pontiff in almost 1,300 years, Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936. His election in March 2013 caught many by surprise because he was perceived as an outsider to the Vatican's established power structures, Francis is known for his simplicity and humility and he chose to live in the communal Casa Santa Marta instead of the opulent papal apartments, reflecting his desire to stay close to the people and preserve his mental health, his papacy was characterized by a strong emphasis on social justice, migrant care, environmental stewardship, and outreach to the underprivileged.
Pope Francis had significant health issues in the months before his passing. He was admitted to the hospital in the middle of February 2025 after being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and bronchitis. He spent 38 days in the hospital before going back to the Vatican home to recuperate further, his health eventually deteriorated and he passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, despite a brief recovery that permitted him to make an appearance in St Peter's Square.
Francis became a global spiritual leader, attracting large crowds on his travels and advocating for causes like climate action, refugee rights, and interfaith understanding. Despite internal divisions and external scrutiny, he sought to reform the Catholic Church throughout his tenure, he inherited a Church struggling with a child sex abuse scandal and administrative conflicts within the Vatican, many conservative factions opposed his efforts to promote mercy, inclusion, and dialogue, while some progressives felt he did not go far enough in transforming the institution.
Following the announcement of his death, the Vatican has entered a period of mourning and preparation for the next steps. Cardinal Farrell, as camerlengo, will oversee the formal verification of the pope’s passing, secure the papal apartments, and arrange funeral rites, a nine-day mourning period will precede the funeral, traditionally held in St. Peter’s Square, although Pope Francis had expressed a wish for a simple burial at the Basilica of St Mary Major Subsequently, the College of Cardinals will convene in a conclave to elect his successor, a process expected to begin 15 to 20 days after his death.
Pope Francis left behind a legacy of humility, kindness, and an unwavering urge to serve others by living out the teachings of the gospel, this spirit was embodied in Cardinal Farrell announcement, which honored the late pope brave leadership and dedication to the underprivileged and disenfranchised, the world considers the significant influence of a pope who aimed to heal divisions and arouse hope during difficult times, as the Catholic Church laments the passing of her shepherd.
