VATICAN CITY, April 21, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) – Pope Francis has died at age 88.
The pontiff’s death was announced early Monday morning in a statement by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo.
The statement said details of the funeral would be announced in due course but that they would be guided by an April 2024 updated version of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, as approved by the late pontiff who wanted a more modest, humble send-off, according to UPI.
“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.”
Pope Francis died just hours after greeting crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday.
He also met briefly Sunday with Catholic convert Vice President J.D. Vance.
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis,” Vance wrote on X. “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. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”
In February, Pope Francis wrote to Catholic bishops in the United States, criticizing the mass deportations and immigration policies of the Trump administration.
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”
NBC reported that the funeral would take place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome and that a new conclave to initiate the process of electing a new head of the Catholic Church would get underway shortly.
Francis, who served for 12 years after taking over from Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, died a month after being released from the hospital, where he spent five weeks being treated for double pneumonia and came close to dying on at least two occasions.
To read the Vatican City News article on Francis’ death, click here.
