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Vatican City: Pope Francis died peacefully on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 88. According to a Vatican News report, his death occurred at 7:35 AM at the Casa Santa Marta residence within the Vatican, following a prolonged battle with respiratory illness.
Cause of Death
According to the Associated Press, the Vatican reported that Pope Francis died following a cerebral stroke that caused a coma and led to irreversible heart failure. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department, confirmed the death on Monday. He stated that the Pope had also experienced respiratory insufficiency and bilateral pneumonia and had underlying conditions, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
The Holy See Announcement
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, delivered the official announcement:
“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 of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. 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.”
According to Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis’ body will likely be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, so that the faithful can venerate his remains. Funeral arrangements will be finalized and announced following the first Congregation of the Cardinals.
Vatican News reported that Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, had a long history of respiratory illness dating back to a severe lung infection in his early twenties that led to partial lung removal in 1957. Most recently, he was admitted to Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, 2025, after suffering from bronchitis.
By February 18, he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days of hospitalization, he returned to Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
Tributes pouring worldwide
Kenya’s President William Ruto expressed condolences on the death of Pope Francis, calling it a profound loss for the Catholic Church and the global Christian community.
“Pope Francis will be remembered for a life dedicated to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity,” Ruto said on X, formerly Twitter. “He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable.”
US President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, and former President Barack Obama sent tributes to the pontiff.
“Rest in Peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!” Trump posted to his social media platform, Truth Social.
Pope Francis and Trump had a fraught relationship, marked by ideological differences, particularly on immigration and social policy.
In 2016, Pope Francis criticized Trump’s plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, stating that “a person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.” Trump responded by calling it “disgraceful” for a religious leader to question someone’s faith.
Their differences persisted throughout Trump’s presidency and re-emerged during his return to office. In 2025, Pope Francis condemned renewed mass deportation plans, calling them a “disgrace,” and warned that policies grounded in force rather than human dignity “begin badly and will end badly.”
US Vice President JD Vance, a practicing Catholic, met with Pope Francis shortly before his death.
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,” Vance posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Obama described Pope Francis as a rare leader who “made us want to be better people.”
“In his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound – embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners – he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another,” Obama said.
https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1914260515355820439
Known for Humility
Pope Francis leaves a legacy of humility, compassion, and advocacy for the marginalized—hallmarks of his papacy, which began in 2013 and have shaped his global impact over the past decade.
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