Vatican confirms the death of Pope Francis
News Mania Desk / Piyal Chatterjee / 21st April 2025
Pope Francis, the initial Latin American head of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away, the Vatican announced on Monday, concluding a frequently tumultuous tenure characterized by discord and strain while he attempted to reform the antiquated institution.
At 88 years old and having endured a severe case of double pneumonia this year, his passing was unexpected, especially after he had been seen riding around St. Peter’s Square in an open-air popemobile to wave at enthusiastic crowds on Easter Sunday.
“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican’s TV channel.
“At 7:35 (0535 GMT) this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
On Sunday, Francis had his initial lengthy public appearance since he was released on March 23 after a 38-day hospitalization for pneumonia.
In a message for Easter Sunday delivered by an aide while the pope observed from St. Peter’s Basilica’s main balcony, the pontiff emphasized his demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. At the Vatican, tourists and pilgrims celebrating Easter showed their astonishment and sorrow.
On Sunday, the pope also conducted a short meeting with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, who was visiting. Other global leaders responded to the pope’s passing by commending his initiatives to reform the global church and extending condolences to the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed sorrow over the loss of “a remarkable man, an exceptional leader.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.”
Jose Ramos-Horta, the president of East Timor, where Francis visited in September 2024 as part of the longest foreign trip of his papacy, said the pope “leaves behind a profound legacy of humanity, of justice, of human fraternity”.
