Vatican confirms Pope Francis died on Easter Monday

Following a number of weeks of health issues, the Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday (21 April 2025) aged 88.

In a statement, the Vatican said: “At 7:35 this morning (local time), 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.”

His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, announced the Pope’s death saying: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.

“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 as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

Born in Argentina, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected to lead the Catholic Church in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI stood down. He was the first non-European to become Pope since Syrian-born Gregory III died in 741.

The Pope had recently been hospitalised for pneumonia and a complex lung infection. He had battled health problems for a long period of time, having had part of a lung removed as a young man and suffering long bouts of acute bronchitis in winter.

Francis’s predecessor, Benedict XVI, was the first Pope to retire voluntarily in almost 600 years.