Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a transformative figure for the Catholic Church in the 21st century, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has confirmed. The pontiff passed away peacefully on Easter Monday at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, where he had lived since the early days of his papacy. His final public appearance came just one day prior, when he greeted thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Square with a warm “Happy Easter.” The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who delivered the news with deep emotion: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.” In a statement reflecting the tone of global mourning, Cardinal Farrell 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… With immense gratitude for his example…
Pope Francis Dies at 88: A Decade of Humility, Reform and Global Influence
April 21, 2025
