Pope Francis passed away on the morning of Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 7:35 a.m. CEST at his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City, according to an official announcement from the Vatican.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, he made history as the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European to lead the Catholic Church in over 1,200 years. He was elected in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and served as pontiff for more than a decade.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was widely known for championing social justice, advocating for the poor and marginalized, promoting interfaith dialogue, and addressing pressing global concerns such as climate change and migration. Despite recurring health issues, he remained active in his duties until his final days.
A period of official mourning has begun in the Vatican. The funeral will be held in St. Peter’s Square, and within the coming weeks, the College of Cardinals will convene a conclave to elect a new pope.
