POPE FRANCIS DIED AT THE AGE OF 89

Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church and Bishop of Rome, died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 7:35 a.m. at his residence, the House of Saint Martha in the Vatican, at the age of 89. The news of his death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, in an official statement from the Vatican.

The cause of death

The official cause of death was a stroke accompanied by irreversible heart failure. The Pope previously suffered from chronic lung diseases, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes, and in the months before his death, he was treated for bilateral pneumonia and respiratory insufficiency.

He spent the last weeks in the hospital, and after being discharged from the hospital, his condition worsened, leading to a fatal stroke and coma.

Last days and death

The day before his death, on Easter, Pope Francis once again blessed the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, even though he was visibly weak. He passed away in the privacy of his apartment, surrounded by his closest colleagues and medical staff.

Funeral and last wish

In his will, Pope Francis expressed his wish to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, rather than in St. Peter’s Basilica, with a simple Latin inscription.

After his death, the Vatican declared a sede vacante – a period without a Pope, until the election of a new head of the Catholic Church.

Historical significance

Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit to head the Church, and the first pope to be elected after the abdication of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

His pontificate was characterized by an emphasis on care for the poor, openness to marginalized groups, environmental concerns, and the fight against abuse within the Church.

Pope Francis will be remembered for his modesty, simplicity, and closeness with the faithful.

Pope Francis left a deep mark in the history of the Catholic Church and the world, and the news of his death caused a wave of sadness and condolences across the planet.