Pope Francis Dies at 88 on Easter Monday at Vatican Residence

Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City, died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025 at the age of 88.Pope passed away at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, Vatican said.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/jUIkbplVi2

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025

He was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in the announcement.

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Pope Francis was battling with serious illness of double pneumonia from last few months. On Easter Sunday, he had made a surprise public appearance.

“Brothers and sisters, during this Jubilee Year in particular, we should feel strongly within us the summons to let the hope of #Easter blossom in our lives and in our world!” he had written on X (formerly Twitter).

Brothers and sisters, during this Jubilee Year in particular, we should feel strongly within us the summons to let the hope of #Easter blossom in our lives and in our world! https://t.co/cLTz9Jg509

– Pope Francis (@pontest) April 19, 2025

Born, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Argentinian, was elected as the head of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, and was known for his concerns for the poor and needy.

Francis was elected as the Pope to restore order, when the Church was under criticism over child sexual abuse scandals and was struggling with internal conflicts in the Vatican bureaucracy, as per Reuters.

He also faced criticism from the conservatives accusing him of neglecting traditions. Many progressives also criticised him saying that he should have done much more for rebuilding the 2,000-year-old Church.

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While he faced internal conflicts, his popularity only grew worldwide over the years. He was seen surrounded with huge crowds on his visits and promoted interfaith dialogues, peace, betterment of the marginalised communities among others.