Pope Francis passed away Monday morning at the age of 88, just a day after delivering a powerful Easter Sunday blessing to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced.
According to Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, the Pope died at 7:35 a.m. local time, having devoted “his entire life to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
Francis seemed to be recovering well after his March 23 discharge from the hospital, where he had been treated for double pneumonia in both lungs.
Despite his weakened condition, the pope made an unexpected 50-minute appearance on Easter Sunday, weaving through a crowd of 35,000 worshippers. He paused to bless infants as the faithful cheered, shouting “Viva il Papa!” and “Bravo!”
Francis seemed to be recovering well after his March 23 discharge from the hospital, where he had been treated for double pneumonia in both lungs.
Earlier that same day, Francis had conducted a “brief” and “private” meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of tension between the pontiff and the Trump administration, particularly over immigration policy. Francis had recently spoken out against the administration’s plans for mass deportations. “With deep gratitude for his witness as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the boundless, merciful love of the Triune God,” Cardinal Ferrell said.
The Daily Mail reports that the pope’s body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica during an official mourning period. Breaking with tradition, Francis will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood rather than with his predecessors.