United States: The first Roman Catholic pontiff from the Americas, along with an Argentine Jesuit named Pope Francis, passed away, according to recent statements from the Vatican.
He was 88. Pope Francis passed away while residing at the Casa Santa Marta section of the Vatican City complex.
More about the news
Cardinal Kevin Farrell made the announcement of the news while addressing via a video, “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” he said, as per a translation.
“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 of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and the marginalized,” the cardinal stated.
VIDEO: 🇻🇦 Pope Francis: The humble head of the Catholic Church
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 21, 2025
The Argentine pontiff has died at the age of 88. He was elected Pope Francis I at the age of 76 in March 2013, the first from the Americas and the first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years pic.twitter.com/5HhPRVelDy
“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,” he added, as CNBC News reported.
Fragile health of Pope
On the preceding day, Francis used a wheelchair when he delivered his Easter Sunday message to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
The US Vice President JD Vance carried out a meeting with Him. A bronchitic illness kept the Pope hospitalized since February when he entered Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, 2025.
Medical professionals reported on February 21 that Pope Benedict XVI faced pneumonia in both lungs combined with bacterial viral and fungal infections as well as chronic bronchitis.
RIP ~ ~ Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, dead at 88 after long respiratory crisis https://t.co/ZKRw4tIVxY – NY Post pic.twitter.com/toGxicTPkW
— Mary (@matjendav4) April 21, 2025
The pontiff removed himself from the hospital to resume his Vatican residence after spending a total of 38 days there. The future resting place for him will be within the walls of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
The College of Cardinals conducts the conclave to select the new Pope after the passing of Pope Francis.
At the age of 77, Francis assumed the papal office following Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013. Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires’ Flores district, which was considered middle class, as CNBC News reported.
As both the leader of Jesuits and the Northern epicenter pope, he assumed his position. The church selected him to become its new leader following a 1,300-year gap starting from the time when Pope Gregory III of Syria took office in 731.