Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Easter Monday.
His death follows a recent period of illness that had seen the pontiff hospitalised and largely absent from Holy Week liturgies, raising widespread concern over his health.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. in his residence at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had served as Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, when he succeeded Pope Benedict XVI following his unprecedented resignation. Over the past year, concerns had mounted over Francis’ fragile health, with repeated respiratory issues and hospital stays — the most recent of which occurred in March, prompting scaled-back public appearances during Lent and Easter.
The news of his passing was confirmed in a statement by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
“At 7.35am 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 His Church.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.
“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.”
Despite his deteriorating condition, Pope Francis appeared on Easter Sunday to deliver what would be his final Urbi et Orbi message — to the city and to the world. His words, laced with hope, resilience, and compassion, now resonate as a spiritual farewell.
“Christ, my hope, has risen,” Pope Francis announced, calling on the faithful to turn their gaze to the empty tomb.
He spoke of the Resurrection not as an abstract idea but as a living, transformative force.
“Today too,” he said, “he takes upon himself all the evil that oppresses us and transfigures it.”
“Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness, and truth over falsehood. Forgiveness has triumphed over revenge,” he said. “Evil has not disappeared from history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer has the upper hand; it no longer has power over those who accept the grace of this day.”
Even amid the joy of Easter, the Pope’s heart remained with those in suffering. He turned his attention to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, delivering a passionate plea for peace.
He spoke first of the Holy Land, “wounded by conflict,” and home to an “endless outburst of violence.” He extended his closeness, in particular, to the people of Gaza and to the Christian community in the enclave where “the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation.”
“I appeal once again,” he said, “for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, for the release of the hostages… and for access to humanitarian aid.”
His words once again called on the international community to act and “come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”
Pope Francis will be remembered not only as the first pontiff from the Americas, but as a spiritual reformer and a voice for the voiceless, who placed mercy and justice at the heart of his ministry.
