Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death occurred at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City. The cause was a stroke leading to irreversible cardiac arrest, following a recent battle with double pneumonia and other health complications.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the Pope’s death in a televised statement from the Vatican. He praised Francis for dedicating his life to serving the Church and advocating for the marginalized.
Pope Francis’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the Mass, which will be concelebrated by clergy from around the world. Following the Mass, the Pope’s body will be taken to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment, honoring his wish to be buried there. is expected to commence between May 6 and May 11, 2025, once all cardinal electors have arrived in Rome.
By Church law, a papal conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor is expected to commence between May 6 and May 11, 2025, once all cardinal electors have arrived in Rome.
