Vatican City. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a powerful advocate for the poor and marginalised, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has confirmed.
The announcement was made early Monday morning, April 21, 2025, by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who conveyed the news with a heavy heart.
“Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” read a statement issued by the camerlengo.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
He added: “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”
The statement concluded with a tribute to the late pope’s spiritual leadership: “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 the Triune God.”
The news of his death came less than 24 hours after his last public appearance, which saw him deliver the traditional Easter blessing from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in front of thousands of worshippers.
Though visibly frail, he had managed to greet the crowd with warmth and offer prayers in what became his final message to the faithful.
Earlier that day, he had held a brief meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.
Tributes poured in from leaders around the world soon after the announcement.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof described the late pontiff as “in every way a man of the people.”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised his “contagious smile” that “captured millions of hearts across the globe.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog hailed his “boundless compassion,” while Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter called him “a great spiritual leader, a tireless advocate for peace.”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said Pope Francis was “a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation.”
French President Emmanuel Macron was among the earliest to respond, calling Francis “a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and fragile.”
Pope Francis had recently recovered from a life-threatening bout of pneumonia, which saw him hospitalised in Rome.
After convalescence at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, he resumed limited public engagements, including an unannounced visit to St Peter’s Square and a 30-minute stop at a prison in Rome last Thursday.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was elected pope in March 2013, becoming the first non-European to lead the Catholic Church in more than 1,200 years.
His election marked a turning point in the Church’s history, not only geographically but also ideologically.
Throughout his pontificate, Francis sought to bring the Church closer to the people, often rejecting traditional trappings of power and choosing to live simply.
His papacy was defined by outspoken advocacy for the poor, migrants and the environment, and his firm belief in the Church’s duty to accompany the marginalised.
He was also unafraid to wade into political waters, notably criticising US immigration policy and nationalist populism, which he viewed as a threat to global solidarity.
However, his efforts to reform the Church were not without opposition.
Divisions over the Church’s stance on same-sex relationships, women’s roles, and its response to clerical abuse scandals shadowed his tenure, often drawing fire from conservative factions, particularly in the United States.
As the Catholic world enters a period of mourning, cardinals from across the globe are expected to converge on Rome to honour Pope Francis’s legacy and begin the process of electing his successor.
Francis leaves behind a Church that he sought to reorient towards mercy, inclusion and humility, a legacy that is expected to shape the direction of global Catholicism for years to come.
