Pope Francis has died. The Vatican announced his death early Monday morning. He was 88 years old and was recovering from bilateral pneumonia.
The camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announced the pontiff’s death by delivering a public statement at 9:45 a.m. local time. The statement was issued from the pope’s residence, the Casa Santa Marta.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Farrell said in the statement. “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,” Farrell added. “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.”
Francis’s death came the day after Easter Sunday, considered the holiest day of the year in Catholicism. His last public appearance was during the holiday in St. Peter’s Square, a surprise greeting to the estimated crowd of more than 35,000 people. He rode through the square in his popemobile, waving to those in attendance. It was one of the pope’s only appearances in front of a large crowd since his illness. His first appearance at St. Peter’s Square happened earlier in April when the pontiff made a surprise appearance during a special Jubilee Mass.
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The pope was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, after feeling ill with bronchitis. Several days later, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and was in the hospital for 38 days, according to multiple reports. After his hospital stay, Francis returned to his residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was elected pope on March 13, 2013, and took the papal name of Francis. He was the first pope elected from the American continents and the Southern Hemisphere.
