Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, formally announced the death of Pope Francis this morning, April 21, 2025, from the Casa Santa Marta. In a heartfelt statement, he said:
“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I inform you of the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. At 7:35 AM, the Bishop of Rome returned to the house of the Father. His life was a testimony of devoted service to God and the Church. He lived out the values of the Gospel with courage, faithfulness, and a deep love for all, especially the poor and marginalized. With great gratitude for his witness as a true follower of Christ, we entrust his soul to the boundless mercy of the Triune God.”
Pope Francis had been hospitalized at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on February 14, 2025, following several days of bronchitis. His condition declined steadily, and on February 18, doctors diagnosed him with bilateral pneumonia. After spending 38 days in the hospital, he returned to the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
The Pope had a long history of respiratory issues. In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in Argentina to remove part of a lung damaged by a serious infection. In recent years, he continued to experience health setbacks, including respiratory problems that led him to cancel a trip to the UAE in November 2023.
In April 2024, Pope Francis approved a revised edition of the *Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis*, the liturgical text used for papal funerals. The second edition, as reported by *Vatican News*, includes updates to how a pope’s remains are treated, such as moving the declaration of death to a chapel rather than the room of death, and placing the body directly into the coffin.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, explained that Pope Francis had personally requested that his funeral be marked by simplicity and a strong focus on Christian faith in the resurrection. According to Ravelli, “The renewed rite seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ, not a worldly figure of power.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been officially announced.
(Source: Vatican News)
